All Things WTU Leave: Leave Benefits, Using Banks & More

Using the Leave Banks

WTU and DCPS will be are revising the existing policy document that was originally negotiated between DCPS and WTU by former WTU President Nathan Saunders (access the policy document here: Link). 

Process:

1. Members should review the DCPS Leave of Absence Website and apply using the DCPS process that is outlined therein Be sure to indicate which bank(s) you wish to use when it comes time to select where your leave is coming from: https://dcps.dc.gov/page/dcps-leave-absence

   • Can also submit an application with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) by the Labor Management & Employee Relations (LMER) team.

2. DCPS will make determinations for FMLA and/or ADA eligibility and provide guidance on the leave that can be used through a preliminary approval award letter.
   • Note: If the award is provided through ADA, members should forward that award letter to [email protected] and [email protected]
3. The FMLA award letter will be automatically sent to the WTU Leave Bank Review Committee by DCPS. The committee will meet 2x per month (1st and 3rd week). The Committee is made up of 3 WTU members (appointed by the WTU President) and two DCPS members (appointed by the DCPS Chancellor) who will approve Leave Bank usage.
4. WTU and DCPS will share final decision making around eligibility to use either Bank per guidelines that will be updated and published from the latest negotiated policy as approved by the WTU Representative Assembly below:

After the Leave Bank Review Committee meets: 

Open Enrollment via Peoplesoft has closed for SY26

ALL WTU MEMBERS MUST ENROLL IN THE BANKS REGARDLESS OF PREVIOUS STATUS

Click this Link to View Slides from Video: Link 

Step By Step Enrollment Instructions for Enrollment in the Banks through PeopleSoft September 2-30th 

• Log into PeopleSoft.
• Click on the NavBar iconin the top right corner of the landing page.
• Navigate to Self Service > Leave Transfer Requests > Donate Leave Request.
• Select “WTU Sick Bank” or “WTU Parental Bank” from the “Program Name” dropdown menu.
• Select “Donate from Sick” from the “From Entitlement” dropdown menu.
• Enter Hours to Donate (must be at least 8 hours to enroll).
  • Note: the donated hours will be removed from your sick leave balance the following day.
• Click on the Submit button at the bottom of the page.

• There will be two confirmation screens after the submittal.
• Donation to another leave bank can be submitted similarly after the confirmation screens.
• A history of all leave bank donations can be viewed by going to Self Service > Leave Transfer Requests > Leave Transfer Request History.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When is Open Enrollment? September 2-30th, 2025. Those who are hired later in the school year will have additional time to sign up.
2. If I was previously enrolled in the banks or filled out The WTU form do I need to re-enroll this year? Yes. All WTU Members will need to enroll in the leave banks this year due to the move to PeopleSoft.
3. How many hours do I have to donate to be a part of the bank? You must donate a minimum of eight (8) hours per bank you wish to enroll in. In the PeopleSoft system members can now give more hours if they are interested and able.
4. When will the donated hours be removed from my paycheck? They will be removed by the next day.
5. If I submit to donate leave and change my mind during the open enrollment period can I get the hours back? No. Once you submit your donation through PeopleSoft that will be final until the next open enrollment period.
6. What if I need to use the leave banks now, before the Bank is fully operational? The bank will resume operations under a shared governance structure with WTU and DCPS upon conclusion of the open enrollment period. Anyone who required access to the bank from August-September will have their applications processed and will receive retroactive payment upon approval. 
7. Who do I contact directly at DCPS/WTU when I have Leave Bank concerns? The contact for DCPS is the Leave of Absence office ([email protected]). The contact for the WTU is the Leave Bank email, [email protected].
8. What if I didn't get paid in SY24-25 when I should have been eligible? This will largely depend on how many hours can be raised by WTU members during open enrollment. If enough hours are raised to both pay back members who did not get access last school year as well as keep the banks functional for SY25-26 then a recommendation to that effect can be made. The decision will ultimately go to the governing body of The WTU (either The WTU Representative Assembly or Membership Assembly), who will get the opportunity to decide what we do. Currently we are not in a position to provide retro for SY24-25, but will reevaluate later in the year if things change.

WTU Sick Leave Load

All members of the WTU in ET 15 positions are advanced Sick Leave hours at the beginning of each school year. Note that Sick Leave hours will be pro-rated for all employees hired after the start of the school year. Sick Leave hours are advanced as follows:

• ET 15 (10-month):96 hours (12 days)
• ET 15 (11-month): 108 hours (13.5 days)
• ET 15 (12-month): 120 hours (15 days)
• EG 09 (12 month): 120 hours (15 days)

Up to 32 hours (4 days) per school year of the Sick Leave that you are advanced can be used as personal leave. Unused Sick Leave shall be carried forward from year to year. Sick Leave is not transferable and has no cash value; therefore, you will not receive the cash value of any remaining Sick Leave upon separation from employment.

WTU General and Annual Leave Accruals All members of the WTU in EG 09 positions earn General and Annual Leave, based on years of service. Employees with:

▪ 0-2 years of service earn four hours per pay period

▪ 3-15 years of service earn six hours per pay period

▪ 16+ years of service earn eight hours per pay period

Note: Members of the WTU in ET 15 positions are not eligible for General and Annual Leave.