Paid Time Off – Witness Duty for the University

An employee summoned to appear as a witness at an administrative or other legal proceeding involving the university will receive their regular pay for the time they are required to be absent from work. After the employee is released from witness duty, the employee must contact the employee’s manager to confirm whether the employee should report back to work or report to work on the employee’s next scheduled workday. The employee must also provide a copy of the subpoena or other written order to appear as a witness to the employee’s manager.

An employee will not be paid for time to appear as a witness under the following circumstances:

  • where the administrative or other legal proceeding does not involve the university;
  • where the employee is the plaintiff;
  • where the employee is a defendant (unless the proceeding involves the university);
  • where the employee voluntarily appears as a witness.

In the above circumstances, an employee must use accrued vacation, PTO (if applicable), or leave without pay.

Responsible office

Human Resources Administration
uschr@usc.edu
(213) 821-8100

Issued by

David W. Wright
Interim Senior Vice President, Administration