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Hospital distributes PTO plan To align its human resource practices to support the Medical Center's values and priorities, a recently approved Medical University Hospital Authority, has revised its paid-time-off (PTO) and grievance procedures.  The PTO plan was rolled out Tuesday, April 25. “For MUSC, implementation of the Authority is top priority for MUSC Hospital,” said integrated services administrator Betts Ellis.  Ellis works as a facilitator with the Me Issues Committee, a broad-based employee group representing all areas of the Medical Center, who worked together with administration to develop the new policies. “Unlike other state agencies which operate on state-appropriated funds, MUSC must generate its own revenues.” The plan brings MUSC’s procedures in line with other hospitals in South Carolina and neighboring states. The paid-time-off  plan will affect 3,300 regular part-time and full-time employees. Ellis cites both incentives and disincentives in the PTO policy. “Personal leave under the PTO plan will help achieve improved productivity while recognizing the need for employees to have ample leave,” Ellis said.  The plan combines annual leave and holidays, while allowing for the inevitable emergencies that result in unplanned employees absences. The plan discourages unplanned employee absences. Under the new plan, employees may be able to “cash in” on a certain amount of their PTO leave in the future, an incentive that is not currently offered in the state's annual leave policy.  No one will lose what's been previously earned. Uncontrolled absences require the Medical Center to pay another person for the work of the absent employee. The PTO plan encourages employees to plan their time off and still provides for unplanned absence due to illness or family emergency. “Our goal is to design core human resource policies giving the Hospital Authority the ability to operate in a more business-like fashion while meeting the needs of employees,” Ellis said.  He said that the tools outlined in the booklet will “... help us preserve employment, provide a competitive benefits and salary package for our employees and fulfill our values and mission.” Ellis stated that the Me Issues Committee performed a “magical balancing act” in formulating the PTO policy recommendations. Information will be presented in detail in Currents and discussed in department meetings.  The Me Issues Committee will receive employee concerns by e-mail: meissues@musc.edu.