NOTE: This message was emailed to Ballad Health team members on Monday, Oct. 5.
Dear Colleague,
As we head into a busy fall season, several important initiatives and deadlines are underway across Ballad Health. From annual requirements like flu vaccinations and performance appraisals to opportunities such as cashing in up to 20 hours of PTO, there’s a lot happening. To help keep everything in one place, we’ve gathered the key details and reminders below. Please take a few moments to review them and stay informed about upcoming deadlines, expectations and important updates.
Important dates this week
- PTO Cash-in Request Form is now open (details below)
- Flu Vaccination Medical Exemption and Religious Accommodation deadline is this Wednesday, Oct. 7 (details below)
Flu vaccination deadline – Nov. 4
All Ballad Health team members are required to receive their annual flu vaccine by Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 4 p.m., unless a medical exemption or religious accommodation has already been approved. Vaccines are available at Team Member Health offices from Oct. 14 to Nov. 4, or you can receive your vaccine elsewhere (including Ballad Health Retail Pharmacy locations) and submit the required documentation.
Team members seeking a new medical exemption or religious accommodation may submit a request before the end of the day this Wednesday, Oct. 7. All exemption requests and supporting documentation must be received by the deadline, and late submissions will not be considered.
Detailed instructions for submitting vaccination records can be found using this link.
PTO cash-in opportunity
Ballad Health is once again offering eligible team members the opportunity to cash in a portion of their accrued paid time off (PTO). Beginning today, team members may elect to cash in up to 20 hours of PTO from their regular PTO bank, have the value deposited into their health savings account (HSA) or contribute it to their Lincoln retirement account. Team members may choose to cash in fewer than 20 hours, and all hours paid out will be treated as taxable income.
To participate, team members must maintain at least 20 hours of PTO after the cash-in hours are deducted. If there are insufficient hours in the regular PTO bank to maintain the required balance, any remaining hours will be deducted from the frozen personal bank. PTO balances can be viewed in the HR & Payroll Service Center by selecting the PTO Balance icon on the home page. The PTO cash-in request form will be available through Oct. 30 at 5 p.m. No exceptions can be made after the deadline.
Approved PTO cash-in requests will be paid on a separate check dated Nov. 20, 2026. Team members who elect to roll over their PTO cash-in amount to an HSA or Lincoln retirement account will have those contributions processed on a separate payroll run with a pay date of Nov. 27, 2026.
Reminder about PTO balances: After the first pay period in January 2027 closes, any remaining PTO hours above 100 will be transferred to a frozen bank on or around Jan. 13, 2027. Team members do not lose the value of these hours. Frozen-bank hours remain available if the regular PTO bank is exhausted or upon retirement or separation from employment.
Performance appraisal period and annual increase
Performance appraisals are now underway and will take place through Dec. 4, 2026. Leaders and team members should work together to complete appraisals before the deadline. The appraisal period covers the fiscal year from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. Timely completion helps ensure annual wage adjustments are processed accurately and on schedule.
Additionally, we’re pleased to share that the Ballad Health Board of Directors has approved the FY27 annual budget, which includes a 3% annual wage adjustment for eligible team members. Team members hired into an annual increase-eligible position before Aug. 1, 2025, will receive the full increase. Those hired between Aug. 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026, will receive a prorated share of the increase based on their hire month. Please refer to the prorate schedule for details.
Performance appraisals offer a chance to celebrate achievements, discuss professional growth and set goals for the coming year, including continued participation in Ballad Health’s B Excellent program. Completing B Excellent content on time is an important expectation for all team members and supports ongoing personal and professional development. Team members who do not complete assigned B Excellent tips by established deadlines may be subject to corrective action, similar to the process used for missed annual CBL requirements.
The annual wage adjustment will take effect on Jan. 17, 2027. Team members who received a Final Written Warning during the appraisal period (July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026) are not eligible to receive the annual increase in Jan. 2027.
Team members hired on or after June 1, 2026, will not undergo an annual performance appraisal. Since their employment period falls within one month of the evaluation period, no appraisal will be assigned and no annual pay increase will be awarded in January 2027
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact HR4U@balladhealth.org.
Thank you for your continued dedication to our patients, our communities and to one another. Your commitment to staying informed, following through on annual requirements and supporting Ballad Health’s mission helps keep our organization strong and connected. We appreciate all that you do to make Ballad Health a safe, caring and exceptional place to work.
Ballad Health Human Resources
