CITY OF LODI

                            ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY AND PROCEDURE MANUAL

 

 

 

 

 

SUBJECT:                                           :           VOLUNTARY FURLOUGH WITHOUT PAY -                                                                                Policy

 

DATE ISSUED:                                   :           June 16, 2003     

 

SECTION:                                           :           V

 

REFERENCE:                                     :           Resolution 2003-91

 

 

 

SECTION 1:                                        PURPOSE

 

                                                             The purpose of this program is to provide salary savings to avoid or reduce employee lay-offs during the budget shortfall for Fiscal Year 2003-04.   It is in effect only for Fiscal Year 2003-04 unless otherwise extended by the City Council.

 

 

SECTION 2:                                         ELIGIBILITY

 

                                                            The open enrollment period for this program is from June 1 to June 30, 2003.  To be eligible an employee must:

 

1.      Sign an irrevocable commitment to participate and obtain approval from the Department Head and City Manager;

2.      Submit the approved commitment form to the Human Resources Department no later than June 30, 2003  and;

3.      Be a non-sworn, full-time benefit-eligible employee.

 

 

SECTION 3:                                        GENERAL POLICY

 

                                                            Employees are encouraged to participate in the Voluntary Furlough Program without pay for up to 12 days.  These days may be used at any time after July 1, 2003, when requested and approved by the Department Head.  Based upon the number of days requested, the value (salary only) will be calculated by the Finance Department.  Employees may choose to have a payroll deduction spread out in equal amounts over 24 pay periods or a reduction in gross salary over 26 pay periods during Fiscal Year 2003-04.

 

 

SECTION 4:                                  GENERAL POLICY GUIDELINES

 

                                                      An eligible employee may request up to 12 furlough days in full work day increments.  For each 6 workdays requested, the employee will receive one bonus day of paid leave, not to exceed 2 days.  The furlough leave will be banked and available to the employee until date of separation.  This leave may not be cashed out. 

 

                                                      Employees are encouraged to take their furlough between Christmas Day (December 26) and New Year’s Day (December 31).

 

                                                      Furlough days must be taken in whole day increments and may be consecutive.

 

                                                      Furlough leave must be approved by the Department Head and consistent with the needs of the City.

 

                                                      The purpose of the program is to reduce expenditures; therefore, back-filling positions for other than safety or other essential purposes would defeat the purpose of the furlough program.  No overtime hourly costs should be incurred as a result of granting a furlough.

 

                                                      Furlough leave is non-transferrable.

 

                                                      Employees separating employment prior to the end of fiscal year 2003-2004 will be responsible for payment of  unpaid balance due to the City. 

 

                                                      At time of employee separation, any unused furlough days will be used to extend the employee’s last day of service by the same number of days.

 

                                                      Under extenuating circumstances, employees leaving prior to using purchased furlough days may have the unused days paid out upon City Manager’s approval.

 

SECTION 5:                                  MISCELLANEOUS

 

 

                                                      The Finance Department will develop a payroll system which includes the necessary codes to track voluntary furloughs.  Estimates of cost may be obtained in advance of requesting a furlough by contacting the Payroll Clerk in the Finance Department.  Furlough leave will not change entitlement to benefits.