Stories and Photos From Your Floating Holidays
Thank you to faculty and staff that shared stories and experiences of celebrating the new “floating holiday” benefit so far in 2025! We were excited to see the responses — and while we aren’t able to share them all, we hope you’ll enjoy the following highlights provided by U-M colleagues.
Submissions have been edited for consistency and length.
"I spent my U-M Floating Holiday on May 22 by celebrating my Birthday, enjoying breakfast at Ann Arbor's Northside Grill with my mother and husband, relaxing at home with my cats, and enjoying some live music and dancing at Ann Arbor's Zal Gaz Grotto Club with friends." — Lisa A. Pappas, Director of Communications and Creative Strategy, Michigan Ross Office of Advancement
"@bree_the_therapydog (Instagram) and I went to Central Michigan University to support the annual Special Olympics State Summer Games. A longtime chaperone from Flint and two athletes saw us having lunch on a grassy area. I noticed them from a distance, walked to them with Bree and asked if they wanted to pet her. They enthusiastically did. An emotional moment that confirmed why I do therapy dog visits, as well as use vacation time to do volunteer work." — Jared Wadley, Lead Public Relations Representative
"May is a special time of the year for bird watchers as the warblers migrate north through Michigan to their breeding grounds. I was grateful to be able to use the 'floating holiday' during this busy time of the advising calendar to create a long weekend of birdwatching in Michigan and northern Ohio. I was thrilled and delighted to see the elusive Connecticut Warbler, a 'life bird,' during this holiday." — Carmela Brown, Associate Director of Orientation and New Student Programs, LSA Newnan Advising Center
I used my floating holiday to propose to my partner of four years (they said yes).”
I volunteered with my family on MLK Day at U-M Dearborn. We packaged hundreds of meals for disaster and war torn areas around the globe.”
I took my birthday off. :)”
My husband and incoming U-M freshman son and I are traveling to Germany and Austria to watch our oldest son perform with the Michigan Marching Band.”
"I went to Northern Michigan and enjoyed the peace and quiet of nature." — Tracey Bailey, HR Benefits Associate, SSC
"I used my floating holiday on my birthday in May, which kicked off a short trip to NYC with my family. I'm grateful for the new floating holiday and the many benefits that U-M provides to employees." — Jason Keech, Associate Director of Development
"I took the day off for my daughters second birthday." — Devin O'Neill, Marketing Communications Specialist
I used my floating holiday for the opening night of the PCAP (Prison Creative Arts Project) 2025 exhibition. The PCAP exhibitions are very important to me, and I look forward to attending them each year. I'm really glad to have been able to use my floating holiday this way.”
My niece is getting married on Friday the 13th! I am using my holiday to be present at her special day!”
I will use my floating holiday to observe Yom Kippur.”
I used it to spread my aunt's ashes. My own mother was diagnosed with cancer when I was eight years old. As a result, my “extended” family has been like my nuclear in action and sentiment. However, none of them are recognized in organizational bereavement policies. I do appreciate the extra floating day.”
"I used my floating holiday to extend a week-long family trip to Switzerland in celebration of my son's senior spring break." — Jessica Mauney, HR Generalist
"I took the day after Memorial Day off as my floating holiday and it just occurred me when I read this that I spent part of my floating holiday floating on my pond, so I had to share! My partner and I have a pond on our property and we had just purchased a used row boat from another U-M staffer." — Sarah Prince, Continuous Improvement Specialist
"In February I married the love of my life, Usman, and I utilized my floating holiday to celebrate a new holiday for me – Eid! We flew back to where he grew up in NJ and spent the day praying and celebrating with family and close friends. I am grateful for the opportunity to use the floating holiday to celebrate Eid." — Chelsea Gerring, Emergency Management and Continuity of Operations Planning Specialist
I took the Monday after Mother's Day off and had the kind of Mother's day I really wanted – a massage, flower planting, and no kids!”
I'm going to be using my floating holiday for my birthday. This is a day I was going to take off regardless and it's nice to know that I was able to free up vacation time to be used for other things. ”
I will be spending my floating holiday by getting married! My fiancé's family will be in town, and with a few other close relatives, my best friend will perform our ceremony at Gandy Dancer.”
My spouse and I took Good Friday off from work to serve others with Habitat for Humanity and to attend mass.”
"I used it to celebrate my birthday! This was part of my vacation to Australia that happened the same week." — Emily Blunt, child care teacher at Towsley Children's House
"I spent it with friends and family on Eid this year!" — Fatima Salman, School of Social Work, ENGAGE Program Coordinator
"I cycled with friends around Lake Champlain in New York and Vermont (including a short visit to Montreal, Canada)." — Christopher Tremblay, Executive Director of Enrollment Management
I am using my floating holiday for Juneteenth (June 19).”
I plan to take my wedding anniversary off and spend time with my husband. The wedding anniversary falls on a Monday, so we might take a mini vacation somewhere for a 3 day weekend.”
My family isn't able to get together during the Season Days, so we went on a retreat to a local cabin in January. The floating holiday let us spend an extra day together.”
I got married in March! It was an unexpectedly windier day outdoors, but we went through with a small ceremony on the Lake Michigan shoreline, accompanied by close family, friends, and ice floes (?!)”