Wake Forest to implement Personal Observance Day for staff

A message from Human Resources and the Office of Diversity & Inclusion 

Beginning in 2023, Wake Forest University will offer a Personal Observance Day for eligible staff to use at their discretion and will remove Good Friday from the 2023 Reynolda Campus Holiday Schedule. This decision aligns with the College faculty’s decision to offer classes on Good Friday, beginning 2023. Eligible staff may use the Personal Observance Day for any day of personal significance, including Good Friday.

“Wake Forest continues to expand what it means to be an inclusive community,” said José Villalba, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer. “This new opportunity will support staff colleagues across all faith traditions and backgrounds to observe practices that are important to them and their families. Rather than focusing on a specific day or faith-based activity in our academic and administrative calendar, there is now space for all in our community to center their personal observances.” 

Staff will be able to submit time for their Personal Observance Day in Workday through Admin Leave Time Off with the reason code option Personal Observance Day beginning Jan. 1. This time should be used for one full day, not split between multiple days. Staff will not be required to disclose which personal tradition they plan to observe to their manager, only that they are scheduling time for personal observance. All staff should work with their managers to schedule time off by providing reasonable advance notice. 

More information about this policy change is available in the updated Administrative Leave and Release Time Policy. View the 2023 Reynolda Campus Holiday Schedule for a complete list of staff holidays.  

Contact Human Resources at askHR@wfu.edu or 336.758.4700 with questions.