Salary Staff
September 15, 2025
Re: Notice of Employee Rights under the Nebraska Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA)
Dear Team,
In November 2024, Nebraska voters approved a ballot initiative which provides most employees in Nebraska with up to 56 hours of paid sick time per year. This law, called the Nebraska Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA), goes into effect on October 1, 2025.
We are required to provide you with written notice of your rights under the HFWA. Please see the following information.
As you know, Champions Run already provides employees with generous paid time off under its PTO policies. Because that policy meets or exceeds the HFWA requirements, we will not be providing a separate bank for additional paid sick time. Instead, you may continue to use your PTO for any reason, including reasons covered by the HFWA. Nevertheless, you may notice a few adjustments to our PTO policy to comply with the new law. Please see attached Employee Handbook for more information.
Please contact your Departmental Head or the Corporate Director of Human Resources (Allison Boyd) with any questions about this new law or our policies.
Sincerely,
Andy Reetz
CEO/General Manager
Time-Off Policy
(EC Members Only)
Champions Run expects its employees to take a reasonable amount of time away from work each year. Failure to do so is inconsistent with the needs of the employee, the employee's family, and Champions Run’s interest in the wellness of its employees and the company. The purpose of this policy is to define procedures for requesting and using time off as well as to confirm compliance with the Nebraska Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA).
Instead of a Paid Time Off (PTO) policy, eligible Champions Run's Corporate EC members (defined below) are free to take time off at their discretion for personal matters, healthcare, or recreation, as long as their supervisor agrees that:
· Work is being completed as scheduled
· Internal and client deadlines are being met
· The individual is meeting your monthly and annual goals
· The individual is achieving measurable results
The Time-Off policy does not provide employees with any earned benefit that must be paid out upon separation. Specifically, employees will not earn or accrue paid time off or have a set number of vacation or sick days. However, employees must communicate effectively and with as much notice as possible to their direct supervisor and affected team members when they are planning to be out of the office, particularly for a paid sick time reason protected under state law.
For purposes of this Policy, the term "Champions Run's Corporate EC members" includes individuals in the following roles full-time salaried roles:
· Golf Professionals
· Agronomy Professionals
· Food & Beverage Chefs and Managers
· Marketing Professionals
· Accounting, Administration and Director of HR
Champions Run reserves the right to add to, remove, or delete positions from this list at any time. The employees listed become eligible for this benefit after 80 hours employment with Champions Run. Employees who move to one of the positions covered from another role will be automatically eligible for this benefit.
This time off policy is not intended for extended leaves. Under no circumstances can an employee be paid for more than two (2) weeks of consecutive absence unless otherwise required by state or local paid leave laws. For other extended absences where paid leave is not required by law, employees may be eligible for additional wage supplements pursuant to other relevant benefits programs, such as Short-Term Disability or Workers' Compensation.
For foreseeable or planned time off, employees are responsible to schedule their paid time off in advance with their supervisor as most appropriate to fulfill their responsibilities to the company in balance with their personal and family commitments. For unplanned time off, including absences covered by the Nebraska HFWA, employees should notify their supervisor as soon as possible. If the time off is for a covered sick reason under the HFWA, you must specifically state that it is for a “paid sick leave” or “HFWA” reason so that the time off is granted.
Under the HFWA, employees may take paid time off for the following:
· An employee's mental or physical illness, injury, or health condition; an employee's need for medical diagnosis, care, or treatment of a mental or physical illness, injury, or health condition; or an employee's need for preventive medical care;
· Care of a family member with a mental or physical illness, injury, or health condition; care of a family member who needs medical diagnosis, care, or treatment of a mental or physical illness, injury, or health condition; care of a family member who needs preventive medical care; or in the case of a child, to attend a meeting necessitated by the child's mental or physical illness, injury, or health condition, at a school or place where the child is receiving care; or
· Closure of the employee's place of business by order of a public official due to a public health emergency; an employee's need to care for a child whose school or place of care has been closed by order of a public official due to a public health emergency; or an employee's need to self-isolate or care for the employee or a family member when it has been determined by the health authorities having jurisdiction or by a health care professional that the employee's or family member's presence in the community may jeopardize the health of others because of exposure to a communicable disease, whether or not the employee or family member has actually contracted the communicable disease.
Champions Run may require reasonable documentation if the employee is absent due to illness or other reasons covered by the Nebraska HFWA for more than three (3) consecutive workdays, or for absences that may be FMLA qualifying.
Unless otherwise prohibited by applicable law, abuse of the Time-Off policy may result in disciplinary action or termination.
This Time-Off policy is a privilege, and not a right, meaning the Company may revise or rescind the policy at any time.
OVERVIEW AND FAQ
Why the new Time Off Plan?
Champions Run hires entrepreneurial-spirited leaders who are driven to be successful and lead by example. As a key executive leader, we have placed trust in you and by working with our pillars:
· Seek to understand
· Being scrappy
· Being authentic
· Being humble
· Committed to growth
You are part of this team as you have demonstrated these qualities and will help make our Company successful. We want to partner with you to create a culture where you can manage in a way that aligns with your plans to live a well-balanced life. Our company was built with family in mind, and understand the importance of being present at milestone events or simply taking time to be a part of our children’s lives.
Who is eligible?
The following Corporate EC Members are eligible for this benefit:
· Golf Professionals
· Agronomy Professionals
· Food & Beverage Chefs and Managers
· Marketing Professionals
· Accounting, Administration and Director of HR
What is the effective date of Plan?
Plan inception is 1-1-2024 and modified on 10-1-2025 in reference to the Nebraska Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA),
How does the Time Off Plan work?
There is no vacation accrual and there is no sick accrual. If you need to take time off, we trust that you will provide appropriate notice to your supervisor and other team members and that your responsibilities will be met. If an absence is needed for a HFWA reason, you should notify your supervisor as soon as possible so that the time off is granted.
You will be paid whether you are at work or not. As an exempt team member, you will be paid your regular salary (based on a 24 or 26 pay period year). Salary continuation beyond two (2) weeks may be subject to certain conditions and limitations.
What constitutes a “day off” under the Time Off Plan?
Any day or partial day that an eligible team member is not at work is paid under the Time Off Plan. Salary continuation during leaves of absence are subject to certain conditions and limitations, as explained herein.
How do I know how much time is reasonable?
If we determine that the amount of time you have taken off or want to take off was/is excessive relative to your responsibilities, your supervisor will discuss your situation with you and set expectations so that you can move forward in a positive direction. A general rule of thumb is 4 weeks per year.
How do I prepare to take time off?
You are expected to coordinate your intent to take time off with your supervisor and inform them of your plan to ensure any outstanding/pressing business issues will be addressed in your absence. Under certain circumstances your supervisor may communicate to you that your time off is not in the best interests of the business and could therefore impact your performance and/or employment standing.
How far ahead of time do I need to schedule time off?
It depends on the reason. Obviously, for unforeseeable circumstances you will not be able to give very much notice. However, communication about planned absences should occur early enough to ensure work is complete and coverage can be provided. In either case, if the time off is for a HFWA-covered reason, please let your supervisor know.
How will time off be addressed when there are conflicts among team members that impact the workload?
Your supervisor will be responsible for resolving scheduling conflicts based on each individual situation. Factors such as (but not limited to) workload, reason for the time off, tenure, and performance may be considered. However, when the absence is for a HFWA-covered reason, the time off will be granted.
If I request time off and I feel that my supervisor is unfairly denying it, what steps can I take?
Contact your Departmental Head or the Corporate Director of Human Resources to discuss your situation.
What happens when someone is promoted into a position that is eligible for the Time Off Plan?
That employee will be immediately eligible for the Time Off Plan.
Employee Acknowledgment of Nebraska Health Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA) - Nebraska Paid Sick Time Policy
I acknowledge that I have received and reviewed the Nebraska Paid Sick Time Policy provided by my employer, effective October 1, 2025, in compliance with the Nebraska Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA).
I understand that it is my responsibility to read and become familiar with this policy. I also understand that if I have any questions regarding the policy, I may contact my supervisor or Human Resources for clarification.
This acknowledgment confirms that I have been notified of the Nebraska Paid Sick Time Policy and the rights and responsibilities outlined within it.