Medical College Faculty Stand United Against Unjust Reduction in Vacation Days

The teaching faculties of medical colleges across the state are expressing deep concern and strong opposition to the recent decision by the Honorable Chief Minister to reduce vacation days for educators. This decision not only diminishes our earned leave but also fails to recognize the unique demands placed on medical faculty who are tasked with both patient care and academic responsibilities.
Medical teaching faculty in the state have always worked under demanding conditions, balancing education, research, and clinical care. The reduction in vacation days adds an unfair burden to this already challenging workload.
Key Issues Raised by Medical College Faculty:
Earned Leave Reduction: Medical college teaching faculty already receive only half of the earned leave other state employees are entitled to, because a portion of these leave days are absorbed by the existing vacation schedule. Reducing vacations further erodes our access to earned leave, leaving faculty with even fewer opportunities for necessary rest and recuperation.
No Access to Second Saturdays: Unlike many other government employees, medical faculty are not entitled to time off on the second Saturday of each month. This adds to the continuous strain of long working hours, with little time off to recharge, making vacation periods even more essential for maintaining work-life balance and mental health.
No Three Consecutive Holidays: Medical colleges, by their very nature, are tied to hospitals that operate 24/7. This means that faculty never receive three consecutive holidays, as hospitals cannot be closed for three days in a row. This level of dedication and responsibility must be matched with policies that support, rather than erode, the well-being of faculty members.
Multiple Roles and Responsibilities: Medical college faculties do more than just teach:
Patient Care: Faculty attend to patients, ensuring the delivery of healthcare services.
Education and Training: Faculty are responsible for teaching and training post-graduate medical students, BSc students, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
Thesis and Research Guidance: Faculty oversee post-graduate students’ thesis work, ensuring the integrity and quality of medical research, in addition to conducting their own research to advance medical knowledge and practice.
The relentless workload borne by medical educators necessitates sufficient vacation time to allow them to maintain their health and continue to provide high-quality education, research, and patient care.
Our Requests:
Reinstatement of Full Vacation Period: We urge the state government to reverse its decision to reduce vacation days and ensure that faculty have access to the earned leave they are entitled to.
Recognition of Unique Responsibilities: The government should acknowledge the unique and critical roles medical faculty play in both healthcare and education and craft policies that support, rather than hinder, their ability to meet these demands effectively.
Dialogue with Faculty Representatives: We request a meeting with the government to discuss policies that would benefit both the state’s medical education system and its teaching faculty. Solutions must prioritize the welfare of educators who are responsible for shaping the future of healthcare.
The teaching faculty in medical colleges across the state stand united in opposition to this decision. By reducing our vacation days, the state government is jeopardizing the well-being of its educators and, consequently, the quality of medical education and patient care in the state. We call on the Honorable Chief Minister and the concerned authorities to immediately reconsider this decision and engage in constructive dialogue with faculty representatives