Enterprise Technology: Giving Back

How to use volunteer hours

What are volunteer hours?

To encourage employee engagement, and support ASU’s impact in the communities it serves, ASU provides paid time off from regular duties for employees to volunteer at local 501(c)(3) charitable organizations or to work or volunteer for agencies of the federal, state, or local government ("external volunteer activities"). 

A maximum of eight hours of paid time off is given per calendar year for external volunteer activities. Time off for external volunteer activities must occur during the employee’s standard work week.*

*Please note: external volunteer activities are not considered "time worked" for overtime or compensatory time purposes.

Using volunteer hours

Employees must receive prior approval from their supervisor before using paid time off for external volunteer activities.  Requests for external volunteer paid time off should be made in writing and with reasonable advance notice. 

An employee making a request for external volunteer hours must certify in writing that the organization they plan to work with is a charitable organization exempt from tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or government agency. Supervisors may, at their discretion, require verification of the organization’s status.

For more information about eligibility and submitting your volunteer hours, please visit the Staff Personnel Manual.