S.A.G.E. Hours

Stewardship Actions by Guilford Employees

Sage Hours create a path for work-life balance and guided self-discovery/well-being for employees of Guilford College. It is intended to promote creativity and innovation on a personal and professional level.

Core Values: Stewardship and Community
 
Goal/Objective: To build into the College a time for employees to experience renewal and enrichment that creates a sense of positive emotion, meaning, and accomplishment; while also allowing for personal buffer as the College continues to undergo change into the future. 
 
S.A.G.E. Hours are times set aside during the semester given to all permanent Staff Guilford College employees for the purpose of personal and community enrichment and renewal. The goal is to provide space for all GC employees to invest in their own personal enrichment, go deeper into a practice or skill they’re currently pursuing, use it as a moment to step back from their work and reflect, and/or to participate in broad-based/creative thinking, experiencing something new, outside their field of expertise or interest.  

 The employee is free to use these hours in accordance with these principles/expectations: 



  • Limited to 12 hours a budget year 
  • Planned ahead of time with supervisor
  • This should not be used in conjunction with vacation/holiday time.
  • It can be taken in any increments that are reasonable within the employee’s given department and arrangements they have with their supervisor. This can help with needs of department and projects employees are interested in.
  • Must be approved by supervisor
  • Sensitive to the needs of department
  • Not used for extra vacation or holiday time
  • Fill out a basic survey.

Additions:

  • A reminder, an employee is not forced to take S.A.G.E. Hours. It is a benefit the College is providing all of its employees. 
  • A small oversight committee will assess the utilization of S.A.G.E. Hours for the first year.  
  • A line in banner can be easily added to allow for the input of Sage Hours, similar to emergency leave.
  • Hours will not roll over.
  • Accrue at 1 hour per month (12 Months); accrued the 1st day of the month
  • S.A.G.E. Hours cannot be paid for overtime.

Outcomes

  • Encourage renewal
  • Create an environment where everyone at Guilford is encouraged to “cast the net wide” and value “divergent thinking."
  • Improve work life/balance — prevent employee burnout
  • Increased job satisfaction, morale, and overall happiness at Guilford

Who is eligible?

  • All permanent staff employees, including first-year employees

Who is not eligible? 

  • Employees on performance plans 
  • 9/10 Month Employees
  • Faculty 
  • Part-Time Employees
  • Temporary Employees

Timing for Launch

  • Announce during the opening of school – August 2022
  • Effective August 1, 2022
     

Examples of SH but not limited to:

  • Look in the buzz and SH Instagram for special “opportunities for the month”
  • Search for campus projects and get involved
  • Invitation to do mentoring sites, work at the farm, take a yoga class, etc.
  • Consider working together with others on your S.A.G.E. hours or ask if someone on campus would teach you something for your hours
  • Community Service 
  • Do something you’ve never done before.
    • Learn how to paint
    • Teach yourself how to play guitar
    • Take a digital photography class
    • Learn how to podcast
    • Practice Yoga
    • Learn how to meditate
    • Extend your existing interests
    • Take a retreat.
    • Find new ways to recharge.