G-00-11-09-9B1 - 11/9/2000ORDINANCE NO. 0-00-11-09-4961
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 7, SECTION 7.100, CODE
OF ORDINANCES (1995 EDITION), CITY OF ROUND ROCK, TEXAS,
TO ADOPT A NEW HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES & PROCEDURES
MANUAL FOR CITY EMPLOYEES.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROUND ROCK,
TEXAS:
I.
That Chapter 7, Section 7.100, Code of Ordinances (1995
Edition), City of Round Rock, Texas is hereby amended to read as
follows:
SECTION 7.100 HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES & PROCEDURES MANUAL
The City of Round Rock Human Resources Policies and Procedures Manual dated November 9,
2000, as amended, a copy of which is on file in the office of the city secretary, is hereby adopted
by reference as though it was copied fully herein.
II.
The City Council hereby finds and declares that written notice
of the date, hour, place and subject of the meeting at which this
Ordinance was adopted was posted and that such meeting was open to
the public as required by law at all times during which this
Ordinance and the subject matter hereof were discussed, considered
and formally acted upon, all as required by the Open Meetings Act,
Chapter 551, Texas Government Code, as amended, and the Act.
READ and APPROVEDAon first reading this the
day of 11(V, 2000.
K:\WPDOCS\ORDINP.NC\00119B1.WPD/SC
READ, APPROVED and ADOPTED on second reading this the
day of , 2000.
ATTEST:
E LAND, City Secretary
2
4,
Ru A. STLUKA, Jam., Mayor
City of Round Rock, Texas
FORWARD
AUTHORITY
This policy manual contains statements of Human Resources policies and philosophy. The policies
are established by the City Council, and any deletions, amendments, revisions, or additions to the
policies must be approved by the City Council. This manual is designed to be a working guide for
supervisory and non -supervisory staff to ensure equitable treatment to all employees.
Policy and procedures contained in this manual are intended to provide guidance on most situations
that may arise. They do not constitute part of an employment contract, nor are they intended to make
any commitment to any employee concerning how individual employment action can, should, or will
be handled. In cases where circumstances are not specifically addressed by policy, the Human
Resources Department should be contacted.
Policies, procedures and forms are subject to revision and/or further development in response to
growth, changes in employment law and the changing environment. The City of Round Rock
reserves the right to delete, change, add and/or revise this manual at any time for any reason without
notice.
The provisions of these policies are severable, and if any provision or part of a provision is held
invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, this shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions or parts of
provisions, which shall remain in force and effect.
IMPLEMENTATION
The City Manager is responsible for the administration of Human Resources policies and procedures.
The City Manager may delegate authority to appropriate staff members, including Department
Directors, to act in his or her behalf in the administration of these policies and procedures.
With exception of matters of appointment and other personnel actions reserved to the City Council by
statute or charter provision, final authority, in the form of review and approval, is reserved to the City
Manager with regard to all personnel matters and subjects covered by these regulations.
Managers and supervisors are urged to notify the Human Resources Department whenever
clarification or improvement can be made in the administration of Human Resources policies or
procedures. If you have any questions concerning eligibility for a particular benefit, or the applicability
of a policy to you, you should address your specific questions to the Human Resources Department.
As previously stated, City policies and procedures are subject to change, they neither constitute the
terms of an employment agreement, expressed or implied, nor create any property rights in
employment with the City.
These policies completely replace and supersedes any and all personnel policies previously adopted,
individually or as a set of policies, by the City Council. In addition to these Human Resources
EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 9, 2000
FORWARD
policies, departments may establish departmental rules and regulations that relate specifically to their
departments, as long as they do not conflict with these policies and are not less stringent than these
policies. You should refer to those documents for specific information.
EMPLOYMENT -AT -WILL
These policies are not contractual in nature. The City of Round Rock operates under the legal
doctrine of "employment -at -wilt'. Neither this policy manual nor any other City document confers
upon an employee any contractual right, either expressed or implied, to remain in the City's
employment. Employment is not for any specific time and may be terminated by the City at will, with
or without cause and without prior notice, and an employer may resign for any reason at any time. No
supervisor or other representative of the City has the authority to enter into any agreement for
employment for any specified period or time or to make any contrary representation to any employee.
APPLICABILITY
These policies apply equally to all employees of the City except the City Manager, City Attorney, and
Municipal Judge, unless a class of employees is specifically exempted by these policies.
In cases where federal or state laws or regulations supersede local policy for specific groups of
employees, such laws or regulations will substitute for these policies only insofar as necessary for
compliance.
Every City employee signs an acknowledgement of having received a copy of this manual and having
read and understood specific policies.
EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 9, 2000
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE
1.00 EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES
1.01 EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY 1-2
1.02 DEFINITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS 1-3
1.03 RECRUITMENT AND SELECITON 1-4
1.04 MAINTAINING APPLICANT FILES 1-8
1.05 EXCEPTIONS TO POSTING REQUIREMENTS 1-9
1.06 EMPLOYMENT OF RELATIVE (NEPOTISM) 1-11
1.07 EMPLOYMENT OF MINORS 1-13
1.08 RE-EMPLOYMENT 1-15
1.09 TRAVEUMOVING EXPENSES 1-17
1.10 RESIDENCY 1-18
1.11 PERSONNEL RECORDS AND PRIVACY 1-19
2.00 COMPENSATION AND SALARY ADMINISTRATION
2.01 COMPENSATION
2.02 SALARY ADMINISTRATION
2.03 MULTIPLE JOBS WITH THE CITY
3.00 WORK SCHEDULING AND TIME REPORTING
3.01 WORK SCHEDULING
3.02 TIME REPORTING
3.03 COMPENSATION FOR EXTRA HOURS WORKED
3.04 "ON CALL" PAY
3.05 ALTERNATIVE WORK HOURS
2-2
2-5
2-9
3-2
3-5
3-9
3-12
3-14
4.00 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS, LEAVE TIME AND SERVICES
4.01 BENEFITS 4-2
4.02 LEAVE TIME 4-5
4.03 HOLIDAYS 4-6
4.04 VACATION LEAVE 4-8
4.05 SICK LEAVE 4-10
4.06 FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE 4-13
4.07 EMERGENCY LEAVE 4-17
4.08 MILITARY LEAVE 4-18
4.09 LEAVE OF ABSENCE 4-20
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE
4.10 ADDITIONAL LEAVE 4-21
5.00 PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND GENERAL WORKPLACE POLICES
5.01 PROFESSIONAL WORK ENVIRONMENT 5-2
5.02 PRIVACY EXPECTATION 5-4
5.03 ETHICAL STANDARDS 5-5
5.04 CONFLICT OF INTEREST 5-6
5.05 POLITICAL ACTIVITY 5-7
5.06 SOLICITATION OF FUNDS FOR CITY PROJECTS 5-9
5.07 TELEPHONE USE 5-10
5.08 USE OF CITY -OWNED CELLULAR TELEPHONES 5-11
5.09 QUALITY OF WORK 5-13
5.10 WORKPLACE VIOLENCE 5-14
5.11 OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT 5-16
5.12 DRESS AND PERSONAL APPEARANCE 5-17
5.13 LABOR ACTIVITY 5-18
5.14 WHISTLE -BLOWER POLICY 5-19
5.15 USE AND CARE OF CITY PROPERTY 5-20
6.00 COMMUNICATION
6.01 COMMUNICATION 6-2
6.02 REQUESTS FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION 6-4
6.03 INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS 6-5
6.04 COMPUTER USE AND SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS 6-7
7.00 HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT
7.01 SAFE WORK ENVIRONMENT 7-2
7.02 EMPLOYEE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING PROGRAM 7-4
7.03 FIT FOR DUTY 7-5
7.04 SMOKE-FREE WORKPLACE 7-7
7.05 USE OF CITY VEHICLES 7-8
7.06 SAFE DRIVING AND ROAD SAFETY 7-12
7.07 REPORTING AND RECORDING ACCIDENTS, INCIDENTS AND 7-13
ENVIRONMENTAL EVENTS
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE
7.07 REPORTING AND RECORDING ACCIDENTS, INCIDENTS AND 7-13
ENVIRONMENTAL EVENTS
7.08
7.09
7.10
REPORTING AND RECORDING INJURIES AND ILLNESSES
WORKER'S COMPENSATION
RETURN TO WORK AFTER A WORK-RELATED INJURY OR
ILLNESS
7-15
7-16
7-19
7.11 REPORTING AND ACCOMMDATING NON WORK-RELATED 7-21
INJURIES AND ILLESSES
7.12 AMERICAN'S WITH DISABILITIES ACT
7.13 CONTRACTORS HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT
7.14 HSE OPERATINAL MANUAL)
7-22
7-26
7-27
8.00 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
8.01 EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT 8-2
8.02 TRAINING 8-3
8.03 PROMOTIONS 8-4
8.04 ADMINISTRATIVE TRANSFERS 8-5
8.05 TUITION ASSISTANCE / REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM 8-6
8.06 PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT PROCESS 8-7
8.07 TRAVEL 8-15
9.00 PROBLEM RESOLUTION
9.01 GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
9.02 COMPLAINT PROCEDURE
9.03 SEXUAL HARASSMENT
10.00 SEPARATION
9-2
9-6
9-11
10.01 SEPARATION 10-2
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
1.00 EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES
SECTION PAGE
1.01 EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
1.02 DEFINITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS
1.03 RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION
1.04 MAINTAINING APPLICANT FILES
1.05 EXCEPTIONS TO POSTING REQUIREMENTS
1.06 EMPLOYMENT OF RELATIVES (NEPOTISM)
1.07 EMPLOYMENT OF MINORS
1.08 RE-EMPLOYMENT
1.09 TRAVEL/MOVING EXPENSES
1.10 RESIDENCY
1.11 PERSONNEL RECORDS AND PRIVACY
1-1
1-2
1-3
1-4
1-8
1-9
1-13
1-15
1-17
1-18
1-19
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
2.00 COMPENSATION AND SALARY ADMINISTRATION
SECTION PAGE
2.01 COMPENSATION
2.02 SALARY ADMINISTRATION
2.03 MULTIPLE JOBS WITH THE CITY
2-1
2-2
2-5
2-10
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
3.00 WORK SCHEDULING AND TIME REPORTING
SECTION PAGE
3.01 WORK SCHEDULING
3.02 TIME REPORTING
3.03 COMPENSATION FOR EXTRA HOURS WORKED
3.04 "ON CALL" PAY
3.05 ALTERNATIVE WORK HOURS
3-1
3-2
3-5
3-9
3-12
3-14
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
4.00 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS, LEAVE TIME AND SERVICES
SECTION PAGE
4.01 BENEFITS
4.02 LEAVE TIME
4.03 HOLIDAYS
4.04 VACATION LEAVE
4.05 SICK LEAVE
4.06 FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE
4.07 EMERGENCY LEAVE
4.08 MILITARY LEAVE
4.09 LEAVE OF ABSENCE
4.10 ADDITIONAL LEAVE
4-1
4-2
4-5
4-6
4-8
4-10
4-13
4-17
4-18
4-20
4-21
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
5.00 PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND GENERAL WORKPLACE POLICIES
SECTION PAGE
5.01 PROFESSIONAL WORK ENVIRONMENT
5.02 PRIVACY EXPECTATION
5.03 ETHICAL STANDARDS
5.04 CONFLICT OF INTEREST
5.05 POLITICAL ACTIVITY
5.06 SOLICITATION OF FUNDS FOR CITY PROJECTS
5.07 TELEPHONE USE
5.08 USE OF CITY -OWNED MOBILE TELEPHONES
5.09 QUALITY OF WORK
5.10 WORKPLACE VIOLENCE
5.11 OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT
5.12 DRESS AND PERSONAL APPEARANCE
5.13 LABOR ACTIVITY
5.14 WHISTLE -BLOWER POLICY
5.15 USE AND CARE OF CITY PROPERTY
5-1
5-2
5-4
5-5
5-6
5-7
5-9
5-10
5-11
5-13
5-14
5-16
5-17
5-18
5-19
5-20
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
6.00 COMMUNICATION
SECTION PAGE
6.01 COMMUNICATION
6.02 REQUESTS FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION
6.03 INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS
6.04 COMPUTER USE AND SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS
6-1
6-2
6-4
6-5
6-7
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
8.00 PROBLEM RESOLUTION
SECTION PAGE
8.01 EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT
8.02 TRAINING
8.03 PROMOTIONS
8.04 ADMINISTRATIVE TRANSFERS
8.05 TUITION ASSISTANCE PAYMENT / REIMBURSEMENT
8.06 PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT PROCESS
8.07 TRAVEL
8-1
8-2
8-3
8-4
8-5
8-6
8-9
8-15
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
7.00 HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT (HSE)
SECTION PAGE
7.01 SAFE WORK ENVIRONMENT
7.02 EMPLOYEE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING PROGRAM
7.03 FITNESS FOR DUTY
7.04 SMOKE-FREE WORKPLACE
7.05 USE OF CITY VEHICLES
7-2
7-4
7-5
7-7
7-8
7.06 SAFE DRIVING AND ROAD SAFETY 7-12
7.07 REPORTING AND RECORDING ACCIDENTS, INCIDENTS AND 7-13
ENVIRONMENTAL EVENTS
7.08 REPORTING AND RECORDING INJURIES AND ILLNESSES 7-15
7.09 WORKER'S COMPENSATION 7-16
7.10 RETURN TO WORK AFTER A WORK-RELATED INJURY OR 7-19
ILLNESS
7.11 REPORTING AND ACCOMMODATING NON WORK-RELATED 7-21
INJURIES AND ILLNESSES
7.12 AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT 7-22
7.13 CONTRACTORS HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT 7-26
7.14 HSE OPERATIONAL MANUAL 7-27
7-1
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
9.00 PROBLEM RESOLUTION
SECTION PAGE
9.01 GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE 9- 2
9.02 COMPLAINT PROCEDURE 9- 6
9.03 SEXUAL HARASSMENT 9-11
9-1
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
10.00 SEPARATION
SECTION PAGE
10.00 SEPARATION 10-2
10-1
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
1.00 EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES
SECTION PAGE
1.01 EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY 1-2
1.02 DEFINITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS 1-3
1.03 RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION 1-4
1.04 MAINTAINING APPLICANT FILES 1-8
1.05 EXCEPTIONS TO POSTING REQUIREMENTS 1-9
1.06 EMPLOYMENT OF RELATIVES (NEPOTISM) 1-11
1.07 EMPLOYMENT OF MINORS 1-13
1.08 RE-EMPLOYMENT 1-15
1.09 TRAVEUMOVING EXPENSES 1-17
1.10 RESIDENCY 1-18
1.11 PERSONNEL RECORDS AND PRIVACY 1-19
1-1
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
1.00 EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES
1.01 EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
PURPOSE To ensure that all employees, applicants and customers of the City are treated
equitably and fairly and to ensure that the City complies with all
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) laws.
POLICY The City is an equal opportunity employer. The City does not allow
discrimination against any person in job structuring, recruitment, examination,
selection, appointment, placement, training, upward mobility, discipline, or any
other aspect of employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin,
sex, disability, age, or any other manner that violates the law.
The City prohibits retaliation or discrimination against any employee for
opposing an unlawful or discriminatory employment practice, or for alleging or
participating in an investigation of an allegation of discrimination.
CAUTION This policy does not, in any way, establish a contractual agreement for
employment between the City and the employee.
RELATED
POLICIES
EFFECTIVE DATE November 9, 2000
1-2
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
1.00 EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES
1.02 DEFINITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS
PURPOSE To help provide uniformity and equity in applying Human Resources policies and
benefits.
POLICY
The City maintains standard definitions of employment status and classifies
employees for purposes of Human Resources benefits and salary administration
and related payroll transactions.
This policy does not, in any way, establish a contractual agreement for
employment between the City and the employee.
DEFINITIONS Exempt - Employees whose positions meet specific tests established by the
FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act) and state law and who are exempt from
overtime pay.
Non-exempt - Employees whose positions do not meet FLSA exemptions tests
and who are compensated at time and one half rate of pay for overtime, as
required by federal and state law.
Regular Full-time - A regular full-time employee is appointed to a regular status
position and is regularly scheduled to work 40 hours per week.
Regular Part-time - A regular part-time employee is appointed to a regular status
position and is regularly scheduled to work at least 10 but fewer than 40 work
hours per week
Temporary - A temporary employee is usually hired for a pre -established period.
Temporary employees are paid on an hourly basis and are not eligible to receive
any benefits.
Intern - VOE- An intern or VOE employee is a temporary part-time or full-time
employee who is currently enrolled full-time in high school or at a college or
university. Employment normally is reviewed and renewed or terminated each
semester and may last beyond one year. Students employed as interns normally
receive grade credit(s) for their internship. Interns may be hourly or unpaid
employees.
ASSIGNED Staff who are assigned to the City but are paid directly by another government or
STAFF private organization are not employees of the city. These employees' benefits
are specified in the contract for services. As a condition of their assignment,
such staff is governed by all terms of these policies not in conflict with their
contract for services.
RELATED
POLICIES
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
1-3
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
1.00 EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES
1.03 RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION
PURPOSE
POLICY
To establish uniform employment policies and procedures for recruiting,
selecting and retaining a qualified and competent workforce that reflects the
diversity of the community.
When a vacancy occurs, the appropriate supervisor and the Human
Resources Department will work together to develop a job posting and to
identify appropriate recruitment methods.
RECRUITMENT The City has four methods of recruiting and selecting persons to fill vacancies:
AND SELECTION
1. Promotion from within;
2. Lateral transfer from within;
3. Public announcement and competitive consideration of applications
for employment; and
4. Selection from a valid eligibility list. A valid eligibility list is a list of
applicants for the same or a similar position for which applications
were sought within the past year. The Department Director
determines the method(s) of selection to be used in filling each
vacancy.
The City only accepts applications for posted positions. Only applicants
selected for an interview will be notified when a decision has been made.
PUBLIC POSITION Public announcements of position openings at the City, for which there will be
ANNOUNCEMENT competitive consideration are disseminated by the Human Resource Director
in the manner most appropriate for the particular position being filled, as
determined by the hiring supervisor. Hiring supervisors must submit relevant
information about the position to the Human Resource Director, who ensures
that job -opening announcements are made public through publication in a local
newspaper and posting at the City administrative offices.
Current employees may apply for positions for which they believe themselves
to be qualified. If selected for the position for which he or she applied, a City
employee may transfer to another City position without loss of pay provided
that his or her current pay is within the limits set by the City Council for the
transfer position.
Human Resources and the hiring supervisor will determine the length of time
during which applications will be accepted for a vacant position.
MINIMUM The City maintains a job description, which establishes the required
REQUIREMENTS knowledge, skills, and abilities for each position and the acceptable levels of
experience and training for each. The job description sets forth the minimum
qualifications required to fill the position.
1-4
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
1.00 EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES
EVALUATION OF
APPLICANTS
TESTING
To be considered for a position, an applicant must submit a completed City of
Round Rock application or resume; consistent with stated requirements on job
vacancy notice.
• An applicant must apply for a specific job on the City's current job posting
lists. Applications will not be accepted for any positions not posted.
• Applicants must submit a separate application and attachments
(certificates, etc.) for each position for which they are applying.
• All materials submitted for consideration will be considered the property of
the City of Round Rock and will not be returned.
Applicants selected for employment must have on file a completed City
application, prior to beginning employment.
Reference checks, interviews, medical examinations, background checks, job
related testing, and/or other screening procedures may be used as
appropriate.
Applicants shall be required to provide any information and undergo any
examination necessary to demonstrate competency and ability to perform the
requirements of the position.
Except for drug and psychological tests for certified police and fire employees
and any other tests that may be required by state law, the only performance
tests administered for employment or promotion are specifically job related
("piece -of -the -job") tests (e.g., typing, operating a computer, operating a piece
of equipment, lifting a heavy item which is regularly required to be lifted in the
job, tabulating columns of numbers, providing writing samples, etc.). The City
conducts pre-employment qualification testing for certain jobs. The tests vary
based on the required qualifications for the particular job. Reasonable
accommodations will be made for applicants with a disability if a request for
such an accommodation is made in advance of a test.
Offers of employment will be conditioned upon the applicant's successfully
passing a drug test. All required psychological, drug, and physical tests are
paid for by the City. Any subsequent services needed as a result of the tests,
however is the full responsibility of the applicant or employee.
DISQUALIFICATION An applicant is disqualified from consideration if he or she:
• does not meet the minimum qualification necessary for performance of the
duties of the position involved;
• has knowingly made a false statement on the application and/or any
materials submitted for consideration for employment;
• has committed or attempted to commit a fraudulent act during the selection
process;
• is not legally permitted to hold the position;
• has failed to submit the application correctly or within the prescribed time
limit; or
• is not the most closely matched candidate in the pre -determined criteria.
1-5
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
1.00 EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES
SELECTION
In accordance with the City Charter, the City Council appoints and may
remove the City Manager, City Attorney, and Municipal Court Judge.
Except for appointments reserved to the City Council by statute, ordinance, or
charter, the City Manager has exclusive authority to select and employ all City
employees. The City Manager may authorize supervisors to appoint and
remove employees within their departments, subject to the limits of these
policies and the City budget. Other supervisors may be asked for
recommendations as appropriate.
Neither the City Council nor any of its members shall in any manner dictate the
appointment or removal of any City employee whom the City Manager or any
of his or her subordinates is authorized to appoint. However, the Council or its
members may express freely to the City Manager their views and opinions on
such matters.
INTERNAL To fill a vacant position the hiring supervisor must submit a completed
PROCEDURES "Request to Post" to begin the hiring process.
OFFER OF
EMPLOYMENT
Human Resources completes a job posting and submits to supervisors for
review and approval. The position is posted externally for ten working days or
until filled or internally for at least five working days. Applications received by
the closing date are logged and submitted to the supervisor for review.
Hiring supervisor will conduct a valid, job related employment review of
applications. Supervisors will contact selected applicants and schedule
interviews. If unable to contact an applicant by telephone, a letter notifying the
applicant of unsuccessful attempts to contact him/her for an interview should
be sent.
Hiring supervisor will make the final selection after all interviews and
appropriate testing has been completed.
Human Resources must approve a salary offer that is greater than the
minimum wage for the position classification.
The hiring supervisor will make a verbal conditional offer of employment
followed by a written offer of employment. The offer is conditional until the
applicant passes a pre-employment drug screen and any other previously
identified pre-employment tests. The applicant must also provide proof of
employment eligibility as prescribed by rules adopted by and on forms
provided by the Immigration and Naturalization Services.
• Applicants must take a drug screen within 48 hours of the verbal offer.
• The Human Resources Department will contact the hiring supervisor when
the results are received.
• The hiring supervisor makes final offer and follows up in writing. Applicant
is notified that proof of eligibility to work in the United States must be
1-6
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
1.00 EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES
furnished and complete the 1-9 form within 72 hours of start date. No
person will be retained after the 72 hour period that is unable to provide
proof of employment eligibility.
• The hiring supervisor is to send the completed Personnel Action/Position
Control Form, all applications and attachments, and interview notes to the
Human Resources prior to the applicant's start date.
• The hiring supervisor should notify applicants who were interviewed but not
selected for employment.
The completed job selection packet will be retained by Human Resources for
the remainder of the fiscal year, plus two years, consistent with the State
Records Retention Schedule.
RELATED POLICIES 8.03 Promotions
EFFECTIVE DATE November 9, 2000
1-7
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
1.00 EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES
1.04 MAINTAINING APPLICANT FILES
DOCUMENTA- It is extremely important that documentation of the entire hiring process be
TION maintained for each vacant position. If a hiring decision is challenged and an
investigation undertaken by the Texas Commission on Human Rights (TCHR) or
the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), hiring supervisors will
be required to provide documentation of the hiring process to address the charge.
The documentation will be reviewed to determine if there were any discriminatory
hiring practices involved in selecting the person to fill the vacancy. In addition,
the division may be required to provide the same information for all hiring
decisions covering a period the TCHR and/or EEOC regard as appropriate.
WHAT TO KEEP The hiring supervisor should develop and retain the following documentation of
the hiring process to be forwarded to Human Resources for inclusion in the
official job posting file:
• copies of all written correspondence with the applicant including the official
offer letter;
• all documentation of the screening process;
• all copies of the interview questions in addition to the responses of each
applicant interviewed;
• telephone reference contact form(s), if applicable;
• any other information pertinent to the hiring process; and
• all applications for position.
EQUAL The hiring supervisor is ultimately responsible for ensuring that all hiring
EMPLOYMENT decisions are made according to the principle of equal employment opportunity
OPPORTUNITY without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, or any
other manner that violates the law.
RECORDS Documentation will be maintained in Human Resources for the remainder of the
RETENTION fiscal year plan plus two calendar years.
RELATED
POLICIES
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
1-8
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
1.00 EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES
1.05 EXCEPTIONS TO POSTING REQUIREMENTS
SUBSEQUENT When a position has been posted and a subsequent vacancy for a similar
VACANCIES position occurs in the same division within 60 calendar days after the original
position has been filled; the subsequent vacancy may be filled from the same
applicant pool without posting. This provision may be applied only when the
previously posted classification(s), qualifications and primary job functions are
similar to those required for the subsequent vacancy.
The position is filled according to the standard hiring procedures.
POSITION When a position has been filled and the employee vacates the position within 60
VACATED WITHIN calendar days of the initial date of hire, the hiring supervisor may elect to fill the
60 DAYS vacant position from the original applicant pool without posting the position.
The position is filled according to the standard hiring procedures.
POSITION An employee may be transferred to a vacant position without the position being
DELETION posted if the budgeted position the employee currently occupies is being
eliminated and the employee is currently meeting the performance standards
and meets the minimum qualifications of the vacant position.
TRANSFER TO The Department Director may transfer an employee to a vacant position or
VACANT OR TO transfer an employee's budget position without posting if it is determined
UNPOSTED necessary to meet the business needs of the City or due to unusual situations.
POSITION
Such unusual situations may include, but are not limited to:
• Department reorganization;
• Reduction in work force;
• Reclassification of an occupied position as a result of a job audit;
• Reasonable accommodation of an employee due to health or disability; or
• Addressing resolution of a grievance or related agreement.
Transfer to a lower pay grade: In some instances, if the employee is
transferred to a lower pay grade, the employee may retain the same salary
without loss in pay. This action must be approved by Human Resources.
EMERGENCY Due to the number of vacant positions in a particular classification or to the
APPOINTMENTS workload, a supervisor may waive the interview process. This exception must
be approved by Human Resources.
The request for the exception must include the justification as well as an
explanation as to what criteria will be used to support the validity of the waiver.
TEMPORARY Subject to the availability of funds, temporary employment may be made
EMPLOYMENT without posting if the assignment is not to exceed six months. A memo outlining
the specific project(s) and/or job duties of the position should be submitted to
Human Resources prior to making an offer of temporary employment. This will
maintain the integrity of the Pay and Classification Schedule.
1-9
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
1.00 EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES
RELATED
POLICIES
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
1-10
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
1.00 EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES
1.06 EMPLOYMENT OF RELATIVES (NEPOTISM)
PURPOSE To establish guidelines to promote a work atmosphere conducive to
accomplishing goals and to minimize the possibility of conflicts between personal
relationships and an employee's duties and responsibilities to the City.
POLICY Nepotism is the showing of favoritism toward a relative. The City forbids the
practice of nepotism in hiring personnel or awarding contracts.
Relatives of Officials
No person related, within the second degree by affinity or within the third degree
by consanguinity to the Mayor in any member of the City Council or City Manager
should be employed or appointed to any office position or clerkship of the City.
This prohibition shall not apply, however to any person who shall have been
employed by the City at least two (2) years prior to and at the time of the election
or appointment of the officer related in the prohibited degree.
Relatives of City Employees
No employee may directly supervise or be supervised by a member of his/her
family who is related within the second degree of affinity or the third degree of
consanguinity.
No employee may hold a job where the employee exercises supervisory authority
over the work, assignments, working condition, and/or compensation/benefits of
any individual who is related within the second degree of affinity or the third
degree of consanguinity.
Relatives may not be employed in a position whereby they would share the same
immediate supervisor.
An employee may be promoted to a position which would place that individual in
the line of supervision over an above mentioned relative, as long as the
employee is not the immediate supervisor of said relative. In addition, in the
interest of effective management, no manager may make any decision which
affects the employment status of an above mentioned relative within his or her
line of supervision unless the decision applies unilaterally to a group of
employees in the same classification or job category also in line of supervision of
that supervisor.
In no instance may an individual be promoted to a position wherein that person
would immediately supervise or be supervised by an above mentioned relative.
The City will employ married partners and relatives only in accordance with this
policy.
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
1.00 EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES
RELATIONSHIP
Relationship to:
1st Degree
2nd Degree
3`d Degree
CHARTS
Employee/Officer
CONTINUED
Marriage)
Father
(Consanguinity
Father
Brother
Uncle
Sister
Kinship - Blood)
Mother
Sister
Aunt
Daughter
Grandfather
Niece
Son
Grandmother
Nephew
Grandson
Granddaughter
Great Grandfather
Grandson
Great Grandmother
Granddaughter
Great Grandson
RELATIONSHIP
Employee's Spouse
1st Degree
2nd Degree
CHARTS
(Affinity Kinship -
CONTINUED
Marriage)
Father
Brother
Mother
Sister
Daughter
Grandfather
Son
Grandmother
Granddaughter
Grandson
RELATED
POLICIES
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
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HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
1.00 EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES
1.07 EMPLOYMENT OF MINORS
PURPOSE To establish guidelines to occasionally hire minors during school breaks, at peak
work periods, or on an internship basis.
POLICY
Regular, full-time, employees of the City must be 18 years of age or older. On
occasion, the City may hire individuals who are 16 or 17 years old, but this is
done only under special conditions and must be approved by the Human
Resources Department.
Minors who are 15 years of age will be hired by the City only if they are active
participants in a school's vocational education program or other similar official
program or for temporary seasonal employment.
RESTRICTIONS Required Permission
Minors must have parental permission before they can begin work with the City.
The permit shall be filed in the Human Resources Department.
Number of Hours Worked
• Minors who are high school graduates or have a certificate of high school
proficiency may work the same hours as adults.
• When school is in session, minors who attend school may work no more
than 18 hours per week, unless they have received written permission from
school authorities to work up to eight hours in addition to school time on any
day immediately prior to a non -school day.
• Minors under the age of 17 who have not graduated or achieved a certificate
of proficiency may work no more than eight hours per day and no more than
40 hours per week when school is not in session.
Hours of Work
Workers the age of 15 may work between 7a.m. and 7 p.m. between Labor Day
and June 1 and not after 9 p.m. between June 1 and Labor Day.
Types of Work
Minors under the age of 18 may not drive a motor vehicle.
Before minors are allowed to operate any equipment they must obtain
permission from Human Resources.
Minors may not perform any job declared hazardous.
Wages
Regardless of age, minors must be paid at least minimum wage. If working the
same hours as an adult, high school graduates or minors with a certificate of
proficiency must be paid rates which are in line with those of adults in similar
positions.
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HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
1.00 EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES
RELATED
POLICIES
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
1-14
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
1.00 EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES
1.08 RE-EMPLOYMENT
PURPOSE
POLICY
To establish provisions relating to the re-employment of former City employees.
The City does not guarantee that a former employee will be selected to fill the
position held at the time of separation.
(Generally returning Fire and Police certified employees may only be re-
employed at the entry level firefighter or police officer rank, respectively.)
SELECTION Former employees seeking re-employment may be considered for employment
PROCESS as members of the general public. However, special consideration will be given
to past job performance, the circumstances surrounding termination of previous
employment, and the former employee's knowledge of the City's procedures and
functions.
The selection process may be waived for a former employee who is separated in
good standing within a year following separation with prior approval of the
Department Director. The individual must be qualified to perform the duties of the
position and a position must be available. Such reinstatement as an employee
must be in the best interest of the City.
Hiring supervisors are strongly encouraged to conduct a reference check with the
former supervisor of the individual seeking to be re-employed. At the very least,
the Official Personnel File of the individual should be reviewed.
SPECIAL Lay -Off - A regular employee who is laid off may be routinely recalled to work at
PROVISIONS any time.
LIMITATIONS
Veterans - Employees who left City service to enter duty with the Armed Forces
of the United States shall be eligible for reinstatement in accordance with
applicable state and federal laws.
• The supervisor will determine eligibility for re-employment at the time of
separation. Human Resources should have an opportunity for input related to
the employee's re-employment status.
• Employee's re-employed after a break in service will receive a new date of
hire. A break in service is defined as being completely separated from
employment and not receiving any wages or benefits (except COBRA) for at
least one full pay period or cycle.
• Former regular status employees who are re-employed by the City within one
year after separation will have 50% of their sick leave balance at the time of
resignation restored and will be eligible to use accrued vacation leave
immediately. Vacation leave will accrue at the rate of four hours per pay
period for non -firefighter personnel, and seven hours per pay period for
firefighter personnel.
1-15
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
1.00 EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES
RELATED
POLICIES
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
1-16
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
1.00 EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES
1.09 TRAVEL/MOVING EXPENSES
PURPOSE To establish guidelines within which the City will pay travel cost of applicants or
costs to relocate new employees enabling the City to recruit and hire the best -
qualified candidates.
POLICY
RELATED
POLICIES
The Department Director may approve travel and/or moving expenses involving
applicants, new employees, or transferred employees for reimbursement, with
approval from the City Manager.
Reimbursements are determined on a case by case basis and approval is
dependent on market demands and business needs of the City. Applicants or
new employees who are traveling to Round Rock to interview for a specific
position or who are moving to Round Rock for the express purpose of
commencing employment with the City may be considered for reimbursement.
The allowable expenses include direct cost for:
• any out-of-pocket expenses incurred during the recruitment and interviewing
phases of recruitment;
• moving company or transportation charges;
• meals and motel expenses during the actual move;
• temporary housing and
• demonstrated expenses.
The City Manager may determine applicability and maximum allowable amounts
on a case by case basis.
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
1-17
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
1.00 EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES
1.10 RESIDENCY
PURPOSE
POLICY
RELATED
POLCIES
EFFECTIVE
DATE
To improve the quality of life by maintaining an equitable balance between work
and family.
The City of Round Rock does not require residency within the municipal limits as
a condition of employment except as may be required by Charter or City Code.
November 9, 2000
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HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
1.00 EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES
1.11 PERSONNEL RECORDS AND PRIVACY
PURPOSE To establish standards by which information contained in personnel records will
be managed with integrity to achieve accuracy, privacy and legal compliance.
POLICY The Human Resources Department will maintain the official personnel records
containing information on each City employee to meet state and federal legal
requirements and to ensure efficient personnel administration.
PERSONAL Changes of address, telephone number and/or family status (births, marriage,
DATA CHANGES death, divorce, etc.) must be reported to the Human Resources Department, as
an employee's income tax status and group insurance may be affected by these
changes.
STATUS Supervisors shall report changes in the employment or compensation status of
CHANGES employees on the Personnel Action/Position Change Form in accordance with
Human Resources Department procedures.
CONTENTS OF Regular Personnel Files:
PERSONNEL An employee's official personnel file may contain the following:
FILES
• an employment record;
• a copy of the employee's application for employment/resume;
• a copy of the employment offer letter and acceptance;
• a signed copy of the employee's acknowledgment of having reviewed a copy
of the Human Resources Policies and Procedures Manual;
• employee's job description(s);
• election to disclose or keep confidential certain personal information;
• personnel action/position change forms;
• records of any citations for excellence, awards for good performance, or job
related training/education;
• records of disciplinary action(s);
• performance evaluations;
• copies of any grievances and related materials;
• agreements regarding compensatory time off in lieu of overtime pay;
• any other pertinent information having a bearing on the employee's status;
and
• any written statements from the employee explaining, rebutting, or clarifying
other items in the file.
Confidential Personnel Files:
• Medical records
• Documents necessary for the administration of the City's benefit programs
• Employment references
1-19
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
1.00 EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES
Separate Personnel Files:
These files may be examined only by appropriate officials with authority to
conduct an investigation:
• Workers Compensation files which contain reports of on-the-job incidents and
injuries;
• Any investigatory information related to an employee;
• 1-9 forms which establish an individual's eligibility for employment; and
• Medical records
FILE ACCESS Personnel files and information may not be used or divulged for purposes not
connected with the City personnel management system except with the
permission of the employee involved.
Access to an individual employee's personnel file is restricted to the employee or
his/her designated (in writing) representative, authorized employees of the
Human Resources Department, and supervisors or managers on a strictly "need
to know" basis. Personnel files may not be removed from the Human Resources
Department and can only be reviewed in the Human Resources Department with
a Human Resource representative present.
REVIEW OF Inspection of an employee's personnel file may be accomplished at reasonable
PERSONNEL times during office hours under the following conditions:
FILES
Employees may examine their files at any time. No prior notice or appointment
is necessary. The file must be reviewed in Human Resources. Employees may
obtain a copy of any and all documents in the file; however, nothing may be
removed from the file by anyone other than Human Resources staff.
Supervisors may examine active and separated employee files on a "need to
know" basis. An appointment to review the file should be made with the Human
Resources Department.
Government Inquiries - The Human Resources Department will cooperate with
federal, state and local government agencies investigating an employee if the
investigators furnish proper identification and proof of legal authority to
investigate. However, Human Resources may first seek advice from the City
Attorney. A government investigator may review a personnel file in Human
Resources, but the investigator will not be allowed to remove or reproduce this
information without consent from the Human Resources Department and/or the
City Attorney.
Employment Verification / References :
• Individuals requesting information on former or current employees
shall be referred to Human Resources.
• If employees wish the City to verify information requested by outside
sources for credit or other purposes, a release form with the
employee's signature must accompany the request.
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HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
1.00 EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES
FILE Contents of the official personnel records will be maintained, retained and
RETENTION destroyed consistent with the Texas State Library and Archives Commission,
Local Schedule GR, Retention Schedule for Records Common to all Local
Governments.
LEAVE The Finance Department maintains official records of vacation leave and sick
RECORDS leave accrual and of leave usage. Leave records are updated at the end of each
pay period. Leave balances are shown on the official record to reflect any
remaining leave to which an employee is entitled. It is the responsibility of the
employee to report any discrepancies to his/her supervisor. The information
should then be reported to the Payroll official.
RELATED 6.02 Requests for Public Information
POLICIES
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
1 -21
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
2.00 COMPENSATION AND SALARY ADMINISTRATION
SECTION PAGE
2.01 COMPENSATION 2-2
2.02 SALARY ADMINISTRATION 2-5
2.03 MULTIPLE JOBS WITH THE CITY 2-10
2-1
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
2.00 COMPENSATION AND SALARY ADMINISTRATION
2.01 COMPENSATION
PURPOSE
POLICY
To establish policy and guidelines for the compensation of employees for work
performed, to provide pertinent data regarding the City's organizational structure
and to ensure compliance with all statutory requirements relating to the
classification of jobs including: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Fair Labor
Standards Act (FLSA), and Equal Pay for Equal Work Act.
The City will maintain a compensation and salary administration system, which is
internally equitable and externally competitive with business in our community,
other competing markets and similar size and similar situated cities.
PAY AND The City maintains a Pay and Classification Plan which assigns each job title to a
CLASSIFICATION pay grade based on the principle of equity among positions requiring similar
PLAN knowledge, skills, and abilities and having similar levels of responsibility.
Official Job Titles
All positions shall be designated by official job titles. These official titles shall be
used on all official records, payroll and communications.
Pay Grades
Pay grades are established by use of a pre -established point factor system.
Each position is placed on the pay schedule based on its cumulative points
relative to other positions. When the results of a market study are implemented, a
position may be reallocated based on current market data.
Pay Ranges
Each pay grade has been assigned a salary range based on a range around
market averages for similar positions. Within this framework, an employee's
salary will be determined by starting qualifications. In most instances, an
employee's starting salary will be between the minimum and one-third control
point. The Human Resources Director must approve any starting salary that is
above the minimum.
Within the general guidelines of the plan and the budget, the City Manager is
authorized to determine the appropriate pay grade to which each job title is
allocated.
MAINTENANCE The Plan will be reviewed each year to determine its adequacy for business
OF THE PLAN conditions and a recommendation will be made to the City Manager.
Adjustments will be made to the Plan as required.
PAYDAYS
The payday for the City is biweekly (once every two weeks). Checks are issued
on alternate Fridays for each 14 -day period. If the payday falls on a holiday,
checks will be issued on the last working day preceding the holiday.
CHECK Paychecks will not be issued other than on the days specified above except on
DELIVERY request by the Texas Payday Act. Each department director is responsible for
arranging for the pick up of the paychecks for their department. Only the
employee, his/her designee or someone with a bona fide written power of
2-2
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
2.00 COMPENSATION AND SALARY ADMINISTRATION
PAYROLL
DEDUCTIONS
attorney for the employee may receive the check in person. If employee elects to
have their paycheck direct deposited; deposit will be credited to employee's
account no later than the morning of the pay issue day.
No salary advances or loans against future salary will be made to any employee
for any reason.
An employee must bring any discrepancy in a paycheck (such as overpayment,
underpayment, or incorrect payroll deductions) to the payroll technician's
attention before cashing the check.
Deductions are made from each employee's pay for the following:
• Federal Social Security and Medicare;
• Federal income taxes;
• Court ordered child support;
• Texas Municipal Retirement System contributions (for regular full-time
employee and covered part-time employees); and
• Any other deductions required by law.
In accordance with policies and general procedures approved by the City
Manager, deductions from an employee's pay may be authorized in writing by the
employee for:
• the portion not paid by the City for group health/medical and life insurance
premiums for employees or dependents;
• supplemental deferred compensation; and
• such other deductions as may be authorized by the City Manager.
LONGEVITY PAY In accordance with state statutes, the City pays each City police officer and
firefighter longevity pay in the amount of $4.00 per month for each full year of
service with the City. Longevity pay begins at the end of the first full year and
increases each year by $4.00 per month up to a maximum of 25 years of service
($100.00) per month. (Legal reference: V.T.C.A. Local Government Code,
Section 141.032).
Upon termination, police officers and firefighters will receive a pro -rated longevity
payment based on the number of months employed in the calendar year.
The City may at the discretion of the City Council reward most or all City
employees with an end -of -year, lump -sum payment. Rewards of this nature may
be given if a pool of funds for this purpose has been set aside in the budget
established by the City Council.
The amount of any longevity pay awarded to employees is established at the
discretion of the City Manager, within established guidelines.
An employee must be on the City payroll on the date established as the cut off
date in order to receive longevity pay. If longevity pay is granted, it will be paid in
December.
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HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
2.00 COMPENSATION AND SALARY ADMINISTRATION
RELATED 3.03 Compensation for Extra Hours Worked
POLICIES 3.04 On -Call Pay
4.01 Benefits
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
2.00 COMPENSATION AND SALARY ADMINISTRATION
2.02 SALARY ADMINISTRATION
PURPOSE
POLICY
To maintain a salary administration program that ensures internal equity and
external competitiveness while recognizing the importance and value of each
individual and maintaining a system of fair pay for equal work in support of
organizational goals.
The City will maintain a salary administration program that is internally equitable.
Salary actions or classification changes for current employees become effective
at the beginning of a pay period. Certificate pay is effective on the first of the
month and is included in the second payroll of the month.
TYPES OF NEW HIRES
SALARY Vacancies may be filled at the minimum rate of the pay grade through the one -
ACTIONS third -control point. The following factors shall be considered in determining new
hire rate:
• salaries paid to other incumbents in the position within the hiring department
and Citywide.
• salary range of the position.
• Qualifications of individual versus qualifications for the incumbents in the
position.
Requests to offer a salary above the minimum must be approved by the Human
Resources Director prior to an offer of employment. This provision does not
apply to the classification of Police Officer or Firefighter who will be compensated
based on the previously approved schedule.
PROMOTIONS
A promotion is the movement of an employee to a position in a higher pay grade
that involves increased responsibility, greater complexity and greater
consequence of error. Employees who are promoted should receive a pay
increase of 8% or to the minimum salary for the new pay group whichever is
greater. The Department Director and the Human Resources Director must
approve exceptions to this increase.
LATERAL CLASS CHANGE
A lateral class change is the movement of an employee to another classification
within the same pay grade as his or her current classification. This class change
will result in the assigning of new key result areas. This type of change will
normally be accomplished without an increase in salary. The employee's
performance and salary may be reviewed after six months and a performance
based increase will be granted, if warranted. However, no employee who
receives a lateral class change will receive two performance based salary
increases within a twelve-month period.
If a position is reclassified but remains assigned to the same pay range, no pay
adjustment will take place.
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HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
2.00 COMPENSATION AND SALARY ADMINISTRATION
OTHER SALARY
ACTIONS
DEMOTIONS
A demotion is the movement of an employee to a position in a lower pay grade
that involves a change in the key result areas.
Demotions may occur for the following reasons:
• Reassignment in lieu of layoff due to a reduction in workforce. In most
instances an employee's salary will not be affected. however, the employee's
salary should not exceed the maximum salary of the new pay grade;
• sustained inadequate performance or voluntary (employee initiated)
demotion; employee's salary will be decreased by 8% or to the employee's
rate prior the selection to the current pay grade, plus any market adjustments
or performance increase or to a rate comparable to other employees in the
classification;
• selection of a current employee, through a competitive posting, for a position
in a lower pay grade. In this instance the employee's salary may be
negotiated with the hiring authority. However, the employee's salary will be
reduced. The employee's new salary must not exceed the maximum for the
pay grade.
RECLASSIFICATION
Reclassification does not mean a change in an employee's current duty
assignment. A reclassification may occur when, over a period of time an
employee's key result areas change significantly enough to warrant a change in
classification. A position may be reclassified to another class in the same pay
grade or to a higher or lower pay grade. An employee whose position is
reclassified to a higher pay grade may receive up to an 8% increase or the
minimum of the new pay grade. If a position is reclassified and remains assigned
to the same pay grade or is moved to a lower pay grade, no pay adjustment will
take place.
Supervisors are required to review significant proposed changes in key results
areas with Human Resources.
TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENT
An employee may be temporarily assigned to duties outside of his/her
classification and during that time may receive the appropriate rate of pay if the
temporary assignment is in a classification in a ,higher pay grade. Temporary
assignments may not exceed six months in a twelve-month period.
PERFORMANCE BASED SALARY INCREASE
This increase will be used to reward employees whose job performance
contributes to the continuous improvement of the City and productivity meets or
exceeds expectations. To be eligible for a performance based increase, an
employee must meet the following criteria:
• completion of at least six continuous months of employment,
excluding any full calendar months of leave without pay;
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HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
2.00 COMPENSATION AND SALARY ADMINISTRATION
Employees who are at the maximum pay for their pay grade may be eligible to
receive a one-time performance based payment. Additionally, employees may
not receive more than one performance-based increase during any fiscal year
while in the same position. The HR Director must approve exceptions to this.
CERTIFICATE/CERTIFICATION PAY
There is a significant difference between the receipt of a certificate/certification
for training completed and associated testing and the award of a nationally
recognized certification based on passing an extensive examination over a
specified body of knowledge.
Pay issues associated with certificates or certification that are bona fide job
requirements for specific positions are built into the pay grade for the job and the
pay agreement made with the employee and therefore, are not addressed as
separate pay issues.
Monthly Certificate/Certification Pay -
If a specific type of certification is required for a person to hold the position, that
certification is not compensable as certification pay.
Certain designated positions provide additional monthly compensation to
incumbents for attaining level(s) of certification above that which is required for
the position held. They are compensated as follows:
• First Level $30 per month
• Second Level $40 per month
• Third Level $50 per month
Individuals who receive certificate/certification pay will receive the predetermined
monthly amount until he/she is no longer in that position or the minimum
requirements for the position change and a higher level certificate/certification is
required.
Certification Pay — Added To Base Salary -
When the following criteria is met an amount not to exceed $1,440 annually will
be added to the base pay of an employee that receives certification:
• The certification is directly related to the job assignment
• The individual can now assume additional responsibilities that do not change
the classification of the position; and
• The certificate is a professional designation for a profession that meets the
criteria listed below:
• The profession must have a national organization or some other type of
recognized common voice that can speak for its members and foster
development of the field;
• The profession must have a code of ethics that identifies standards of
behavior relating to fairness, justice, truthfulness, and social responsibility;
• The profession must include the practice of applied research to develop
the field;
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HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
2.00 COMPENSATION AND SALARY ADMINISTRATION
• The profession must possess a defined body of knowledge; and
• The profession must have a credentialing organization, which sets
professional standards in the field.
INCENTIVE PAY
Incentive pay may be awarded when a special activity that he/she performs falls
into the following guidelines:
• The activity is a special service or function that benefits the department;
• The activity requires the employee to take on additional responsibility (not a
job requirement);
• The activity requires significant time and training; and
• The activity is not compensated, as a job requirement
SKILL -BASED PAY
This pay is designed to compensate employees who have certain needed skills,
whether job related or not. The purpose is to warehouse skills required by the
work unit and call upon them as required.
HIGHER CLASSIFICATION PAY (Fire Department)
In the event that a firefighting employee is required to perform the duties of a
particular classification other than the job title to which he or she is assigned, he
or she will be paid the salary prescribed for that classification provided that the
employee has performed in that capacity for at least one (1) hour or more.
Employees who are authorized for Higher Class Pay will receive a pay increase
of at least five percent or whatever amount is required to place the employee's
salary at the entry level in the new range, whichever is higher.
Higher Classification will be authorized by the Battalion Chief.
HIGHER CLASSIFICATION PAY (Police Department)
In the event that a Police Officer or Sergeant is required to temporarily assume
the duties of the next higher level of supervision, the person designated as an
acting Sergeant or Lieutenant assumes all the duties and responsibilities of the
position for which he or she is acting.
A person placed in an acting status will be compensated by a temporary salary
increase in salary of 8%, during the length of their acting assignment subject to
the following limitations.
• All acting assignments must receive prior approval from a Division Captain
• Eligibility for acting pay begins after the employee has completed at least 40
hours of duty time in the acting role, in the same 80 -hour working period.
After meeting the 40 -hour requirement, the employee will be paid acting pay
from the first day in the acting position.
• No acting assignment will continue longer than six months without the written
approval of the Chief of Police.
It is the responsibility of the Division Captain approving the acting assignment to
2-8
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
2.00 COMPENSATION AND SALARY ADMINISTRATION
ensure the proper Personnel Action is completed and submitted to the Human
Resources office beginning and terminating the acting assignment.
MARKET BASED Subject to the availability of funds, the City will conduct or contract with a third
SALARY party to conduct a market-based compensation study at least bi-annually. As a
INCREASE result of the study and the availability of funding, the City may elect to adjust
salaries of affected employees.
APPROVING The City Manager is the final approving authority for all classification, pay and
AUTHORITY payroll actions.
RELATED 2.01 Compensation
POLICIES
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
2-9
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
2.00 COMPENSATION AND SALARY ADMINISTRATION
2.03 MULTIPLE JOBS FOR THE CITY
PURPOSE To establish guidelines related to the compensation of employees working
multiple jobs for the City.
POLICY Employees may work additional part-time jobs for the City either on occasional or
sporadic basis, or in a part time secondary position creating dual employment. All
additional work outside of the employee's regular position must be solely at the
employee's option.
DUAL A non-exempt employee, paid on an hourly basis, who performs two or more
EMPLOYMENT different jobs for the City, each with different pay scales, may be paid on the
basis of regular rate calculated as the weighted average hourly rate earned
during the week. When an employee performs two different jobs, within the same
general occupation category, such jobs must be aggregated together to
determine what overtime over 40 hours is due.
OCCASIONAL If a non-exempt employee works occasionally or sporadically on a part-time basis
OR SPORADIC for the City in a different job the employee's salary shall not be combined for the
purpose of determining overtime liability.
Occasional or sporadic employment must be infrequent, irregular, or occurring in
scattered instances and in a different category as the employee's regular work.
The total hours worked will not be combined for purposes of determining any
overtime compensation due on the regular, primary job. Hours worked are to be
excluded from computing overtime compensation due only when the occasional
or sporadic assignments are not within the same general occupation category as
the employee's regular work.
RELATED 3.03 Compensation for Extra Hours Worked
POLICIES
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
2-10
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
3.00 WORK SCHEDULING AND TIME REPORTING
SECTION PAGE
3.01 WORK SCHEDULING 3-2
3.02 TIME REPORTING 3-5
3.03 COMPENSATION FOR EXTRA HOURS WORKED 3-9
3.04 "ON CALL" PAY 3-12
3.05 ALTERNATIVE WORK HOURS 3-14
3-1
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
3.00 WORK SCHEDULING AND TIME REPORTING
3.01 WORK SCHEDULING
PURPOSE To establish policy and procedures regarding the workweek, work hours and
office hours to maximize the City's capabilities to provide services to the citizens.
POLICY Employees are expected to report to work and observe their approved work
schedule.
STANDARD The official work period for employees in City departments for which separate
WORKWEEK work periods are not established, either elsewhere in these policies or in written
memorandum form approved by the City Manager, is a seven-day period
beginning at 5:01 p.m. on Friday and ending at 5:00 p.m. on the following Friday.
Other hours of work and official work periods for individuals or groups of
employees may be set by the Department Director with the approval of the City
Manager.
BUSINESS Offices must be open during regular business hours Monday through Friday from
HOURS 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Adjustments to the normal hours of operation of City
facilities or departments may be made by the City Manager.
All departments are required to remain open during the noon hour each working
day with at least one person on duty to accept calls, receive visitors and transact
business.
LUNCH PERIOD Each employee is entitled to unpaid time off for meals during each eight-hour
shift. The uninterrupted meal period should not be less than thirty minutes, nor
more than sixty minutes, as established by the supervisor and employee
depending on workload needs. Non-exempt employees must not eat lunch at
their desks. Lunchtime taken at the desk or while performing productive work
must be recorded as time worked.
REST PERIODS
Lunch periods or portions thereof will not be accrued to be used at other times.
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the lunch period must be counted as
time worked if an FLSA non-exempt employee takes the lunch period at his/her
regular workstation, or is subject to call. Supervisors should ensure that these
situations do not occur unless absolutely necessary.
At the discretion of each supervisor, employees may be allowed a short period of
paid time away from work duties of not more than fifteen minutes. Whenever
possible, rest periods should be taken in approximately the middle of each four-
hour shift.
Employees should recognize that breaks are a privilege and not an entitlement.
Rest periods, or portions thereof, will not be accrued to be used at other times.
3-2
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
3.00 WORK SCHEDULING AND TIME REPORTING
WORK
SCHEDULE -
POLICE
DEPARTMENT
WORK
SCHEDULE -
FIRE
DEPARTMENT
The Police Chief sets the work schedule for police personnel and notifies them in
writing of their work schedule assignments.
The term "tour of duty" is unique concept applicable only to Section 207(k)
employees. This term refers to periods of time when a patrol officer is considered
to be on duty for purposes of determining compensable hours. The time may be
scheduled or unscheduled. Scheduled time includes "shifts" and is the time the
employee is regularly assigned. Unscheduled time is spent in work outside the
"shift." Even though the specific work performed may not have been assigned in
advance, the time must be included in the compensable tour of duty.
In accordance with the exception allowable under Section 207(k) of the Fair
Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and 29CFR, Part 553, the City has established a 14 -
day work period for specified police personnel.
The official work period for patrol officers consists of 14 days with shifts following
a pre -established pattern. Each officer on each shift is allowed one (1) hour for a
meal break during the shift, during which the officer carries a radio and may be
required to return to work before the meal break is over if an emergency arises.
The City anticipates the need for each officer to work additional unscheduled
hours during each 14 -day work period, as needed and called upon, for such
reasons as emergencies, court appearances, or other necessary duty.
Each officer works a total of eighty (80) scheduled hours per work period.
The Fire Chief sets the work schedule for fire personnel and notifies them in
writing of their work schedule assignments.
In accordance with the exception allowable under Section 207(k) of the Fair
Labor Standards Act (F.L.S.A.), the City has established a 21 -day work period for
its firefighters.
The official work period consists of 21 days with each shift consisting of 24
scheduled hours, followed by 48 hours off. Any change in this official work period
requires the approval of the City Manager.
Each firefighter on each shift reports for duty at the beginning of the schedules
shift, and is on duty, including meal breaks, for the entire 24 hours, for a total of
168 regularly scheduled hours worked per 21 -day work period.
Pay for all firefighter employees is based on their normally working 168 hours
each 21 -day work period (seven 24-hour workdays).
Since full-time firefighters work 168 regularly scheduled hours during each 21 -day
official work period, the average number of hours worked each week is 56 hours.
Therefore, at the end of each biweekly (14 day) period, each firefighter is paid at
the employee's regular straight -time hourly rate for 112 hours (56 hours per week
times two weeks). At the end of the biweekly pay period in which the 21 -day
official work period ends, each employee is paid not only his or her regular
paycheck for 112 hours at the regular, straight -time hourly rate of pay, but is also
3-3
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
3.00 WORK SCHEDULING AND TIME REPORTING
paid for any overtime hours worked during the 21 -day work period which have not
been offset by leave time used.
RELATED
POLICES
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
3-4
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
3.00 WORK SCHEDULING AND TIME REPORTING
3.02 TIME REPORTING
PURPOSE
POLICY
To comply with federal, state and local laws and provide employees with specific
policy and procedures regarding time and attendance reporting.
All City employees are expected to report punctually for duty at the beginning of
their assigned workdays and to work the full workdays established.
All employees are required to report hours worked and leave taken accurately
and to abide by the City's time worked and leave policies and procedures.
A deliberate misrepresentation of time worked or leaves taken, or unauthorized
absence may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.
TIME Hours worked can be defined as time that an employee performs principal
REPORTING activities related to the job on the employer's premises or at a prescribed
workplace whether suffered or permitted by the employer.
Employees must keep records of all hours worked and leave time taken and
where appropriate, hours credited to particular projects. Each employee shall be
responsible for the accuracy of his/her own time sheet. The employee's
signature is required on each time sheet acknowledging that the hours worked
and leave taken is correct as shown.
Each supervisor is required to sign the employee's time sheet verifying that the
timesheet accurately reflects the time worked and leave taken by the employee.
Signed time sheets and Payroll Summary Forms must be received in Payroll no
later than close of business on Friday of the payroll ending date unless prior
arrangements have been made with the Payroll Technician.
If a supervisor makes an adjustment to a time sheet and the employee is not
available to sign, the supervisor may initial the change or include a statement that
the employee was unavailable and forward time sheet to the Timekeeper.
Supervisor should notify employee of the change.
ACTIVITIES In general, time worked includes all the time an employee is:
CONSIDERED
TO BE TIME • required to be on duty;
WORKED • required to be on the work premises or at a prescribed workplace; or
• permitted to work for the city.
Meal Periods
With few exceptions meal periods spent away from the employee's workstation
are not considered time worked.
Rest Periods
Coffee breaks and other brief rest periods of 15 minutes or less are considered
time worked.
3-5
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
3.00 WORK SCHEDULING AND TIME REPORTING
On-call Time
On-call time is defined as time worked if employees are required to stay by the
telephone or at a certain location such that they cannot use the time for their own
purposes.
On-call time is considered time worked for the amount of time spent:
• performing work-related activities, such as telephone calls;
• driving to and from the location of an emergency situation; and
• responding to an emergency situation.
On-call time is not considered time worked if the employee can leave word as to
where they can be reached, or if employee carries a beeper, and does not have
to stay at a certain location as defined above.
Training Time
Time spent studying and attending classes for courses which are required by the
supervisor for an employee's current job is considered time worked.
Time spent in training, lectures and meetings is not considered time worked if all
four of the following conditions are true:
• attendance occurs outside of regular work hours;
• attendance is totally voluntary;
• the employee does no productive work related to the employee's job
responsibilities while attending; and
• the training is not directly related to the employee's present job.
When training is attended for the bona fide purpose of preparing for advancement
through upgrading the employee to a higher skill, and is not intended to make the
employee more efficient in his present job, the training is not considered directly
related to the employee's job even though the course incidentally improved
his/her skill in doing his/her regular work.
Time spent by an employee on his/her own initiative attending an independent
school, college or independent trade school after hours is not considered as time
worked for the City even if the courses are related to the job.
The City may establish for the benefit of its employees a program of instruction,
which corresponds to courses offered by independent bona fide institutions of
learning. Voluntary attendance by an employee at such courses outside of
working hours would not be hours worked even if they are directly related to the
job, or paid for the City.
Travel Time
Normal travel between home and the employee's work place is not counted as
time worked.
3-6
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
3.00 WORK SCHEDULING AND TIME REPORTING
Travel time is counted as time worked when:
• Travel is between work locations, such as from one office to another office
location of the City, or work site; travel is from home outside of normal work
hours to an emergency or work location different from the employee's normal
work site; travel away from home when it cuts across the employee's
workday. Thus, if an employee regularly works 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday
through Friday, the travel time during these hours is work time on Saturday
and Sunday as well as on the other days. As an enforcement policy, time
spent in travel away from home outside of regular working hours as a
passenger on an airplane, train, boat, bus, or automobile is not considered
work time.
• If the employee were traveling by automobile for personal convenience,
and travel by plane would be more appropriate from the City's viewpoint;
the time will be reconstructed as if the employee had traveled by plane.
• If the employee returns home each evening during an overnight
assignment out of town, and reimbursement for overnight facilities is
considered more appropriate by the supervisor, travel time home and
back each day during the assignment is not considered time worked.
• If the employee is traveling an equal or shorter distance than the
employee's normal home to work travel, the travel will be considered
travel between home and work site. It is not considered time worked.
• If an employee travels as a passenger, generally, travel is considered as
time worked only to the extent that it cuts across the employee's normal
schedule, unless the employee (passenger) is engaged in productive
work.
Medical Attention
Time spent by an employee waiting for and receiving medical attention at the
work place or at the direction of the supervisor is considered time worked if it
occurs during the employee's normal working hours.
Time spent waiting for and receiving medical attention as a result of a workplace
injury is considered time worked.
Grievances And Complaints
Employee activity necessary to address a complaint, grievance, or unlawful
discrimination charge against the City is considered time worked if conducted at
work and during work hours.
Voluntary Work
FLSA covered employees may not volunteer to work in excess of 40 hours in a
workweek without compensation. All time worked must be properly recorded.
3-7
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
3.00 WORK SCHEDULING AND TIME REPORTING
RELATED 3.01 Work Scheduling
POLICIES 4.03 Holidays
4.04 Vacation Leave
4.05 Sick Leave
4.07 Emergency Leave
4.08 Additional Leave
5.01 Professional Work Environment
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
3.00 WORK SCHEDULING AND TIME REPORTING
3.03 COMPENSATION FOR EXTRA HOURS WORKED
PURPOSE
POLICY
To provide guidelines to administer overtime/compensatory pay to manage time
and fiscal resources and comply with applicable federal and state wage and hour
regulations.
The policy of the City is to keep overtime to a minimum. However, employees
may be required to provide services in addition to normal hours or on weekends
or holidays.
FAIR LABOR The Fair Labor Standards Acts (FLSA), as amended, is a federal statute of
STANDARDS general application which established minimum wage, overtime pay, child labor,
ACT (FLSA) and equal pay requirements that apply as provided in the Act. The City is subject
to the prescribed labor standards of the Act.
The compensation for extra hours worked policy is designed to ensure
compliance with the Act regarding overtime pay. FLSA non-exempt employees
are compensated at a rate of one and one-half of their hourly rates for each hour
or fraction of an hour worked in excess of the allowable number of hours under
the Act.
Overtime commences after 40 hours per seven-day workweek for all non -police
and non -firefighting personnel; 80 hours per 14 -day work period for patrol
officers; and 159 hours per 21 -day work period for firefighting employees.
FLSA STATUS All positions in the City are classified as either exempt or non-exempt in
compliance with federal law and for payroll administration purposes.
Definitions of exempt and non-exempt status are based on provisions of the
FLSA and state law. These definitions are summarized as follows;
Exempt - Employee whose positions meet specific tests established by the FLSA
and state law is exempt from overtime pay. Exempt employees primarily include
those individuals occupying bona fide executive, administrative, and professional
positions under the FLSA.
Non-exempt - Employee is entitled to a minimum wage, overtime pay at the rate
of time and one-half the regular rate for all hours worked in excess of 40 hours
per week, as well as other protections under child labor and equal pay, as
prescribed by the FLSA.
FLSA EXEMPT Department Directors, and other executive, administrative, and professional
EMPLOYEES employees are exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards
Act (F.L.S.A.) and are expected to render necessary and reasonable overtime
services with no additional compensation. The salaries of these positions are
established with this assumption in mind. Extra hours worked by executive,
administrative, and professional employees may be used as a factor in granting
or denying paid leave other than vacation or sick leave.
3-9
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
3.00 WORK SCHEDULING AND TIME REPORTING
NON-EXEMPT Employees in this category are compensated for hours worked in excess of 40
PUBLIC hours during the workweek.
SERVICE
PERSONNEL
NON-EXEMPT Patrol officers' time and one-half overtime compensation will commence with any
POLICE time worked beyond 80 hours in a 14 -day period.
PERSONNEL
NON-EXEMPT
FIRE
PERSONNEL
LEAVE TAKEN
AND OVERTIME
HOLIDAYS
WORKED
HOLIDAY
OVERTIME
ELIGIBILITY
HOLIDAYS
FALLING ON
NON -
WORKDAYS
Firefighters work 159 hours each 21 -day work period before becoming eligible for
time and one-half overtime pay. Therefore, for up to the first nine (9) hours of
overtime (the hours between 159 and 168), each firefighter is paid an additional
one-half of his or her regular hourly rate, since the employee has already been
paid for those nine (9) hours at the full regular hourly rate in the two paychecks
covering the work period.
If a full-time employee who is subject to the overtime provisions of F.L.S.A. is
required to work extra hours during a workweek in which he or she has used sick
leave, vacation leave, or any other type of leave time except holiday time, the
employee will be given either hour -for -hour time off or pay for the extra hours at
the employee's regular straight -time rate of pay for up to 40 hours of work during
that workweek. For hours actually worked in excess of 40 per week (80 for patrol
officers during a 14 -day work period and 159 for firefighters during a 21 -day work
period), the employee will be compensated with time off, if mutually agreed upon
in advance, or paid at one and one-half times the regular rate of pay for the
number of extra hours worked which were not offset by the leave time hours
taken.
In no instance should the combination of leave taken and hours worked exceed
the regular scheduled hours.
The City's basic policy is that each employee receives a specified number of paid
holidays per year, as set forth in these policies. In most instances, if an
employee is required to work on a scheduled holiday, he or she will be given an
alternate day off, preferably within the same workweek or work period.
Holiday hours will count as hours worked for purposes of computing overtime
eligibility if the holiday is worked or if the holiday is taken off within the same pay
period that it occurred.
Nonexempt employees (excluding police and firefighting employees) subject to
the overtime provisions of FLSA who are required to work the holiday are paid
eight hours straight time for holiday pay plus hours worked on the holiday.
Whenever a holiday on the current year's list of approved holidays falls on a
regular, non -police, non -firefighting employee's regular day off and the employee
does not work that day, the employee will receive an additional day off for the
holiday, or will be paid as though the employee had worked his or her regularly
scheduled number of hours on the holiday (eight hours for most regular
employees) prior to the overtime.
3-10
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
3.00 WORK SCHEDULING AND TIME REPORTING
TELEPHONE
CALLS WHILE
OFF DUTY
EMERGENCY
CALL BACK
HOLIDAY
DURING
VACATION
COMPENSA -
TION FOR FLSA
NON-EXEMPT
EMPLOYEES
RELATED
POLICIES
EFFECTIVE
DATE
Non-exempt employees who spend time on the telephone discussing City
business while off-duty should report the time in 15 -minute increments. For
example, if a call is received and City business is discussed for seven or more
minutes, the timesheet should show the 15 minutes as extra hours worked. If
several calls are received with a cumulative time of 15 minutes or more the time
is combined and rounded up to the nearest 15 minutes or quarter hour
increments.
Calls initiated by the off duty employee will not count as time work, unless calls
are business emergency related.
Employees may be requested to report back to duty during their scheduled
vacation days due to certain emergency circumstances impacting the need of
their Department. The Department Director must approve any request to do an
emergency call back.
Non-exempt employees will be compensated at the rate of 1.5 hours for each
hour worked; if the employee is on a scheduled vacation of 40 hours or more.
If an official holiday falls within a regular, non -police, non -firefighting employee's
vacation, the employee will be granted the holiday and not charged for a day of
vacation.
Each Department Director is responsible for making a proper determination of the
appropriate method of compensating non-exempt employees for extra time
worked. One of the methods listed below must be used:
• equal time off within the same work period (one week for most employees, 14
days for patrol officers and 21 days for firefighters).
• payment at the rate of one and one-half times the employee's regular hourly
rate.
2.01 Compensation
3.02 Time Reporting
November 9, 2000
3-11
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
3.00 WORK SCHEDULING AND TIME REPORTING
3.04 "ON CALL" PAY
PURPOSE To establish a procedure for compensating "on call" personnel, trusting on their
accountability and reliability.
POLICY
The City will compensate employees who are required by the City to respond to a
call for service, which is received after normal working hours within a required
response time.
"ON-CALL" OR The vital nature of certain City services requires that some employees be
"STANDBY" available in an "on-call" or "standby" status in the evenings and over holidays and
TIME weekends to ensure the continuity of those vital services.
Scheduling
• The supervisor has the primary responsibility for defining those particular job
functions that should be operating under this procedure, and the personnel
who shall be operating as on-call personnel during each standby period.
• On-call personnel may rotate scheduled on-call time with other employees
only with prior approval from their supervisor.
Responsibilities
• Employees who are on-call are required to wear a pager for City
communication purposes.
• On-call personnel shall respond and report to the work location, once paged,
within the established response time for their division.
On-call Pay Period Eligibility
• Employees who are required and scheduled on a rotating basis to be "on-call"
a period of at least seven days may be eligible to receive "on-call" pay.
• Water/Wastewater Line Maintenance (W/WLM) personnel are the only
exception to the seven day rule. W/WLM personnel who are scheduled "on-
call" from 5:01 p.m. Friday until the beginning of the workday Monday will
receive "on-call" pay.
• For each on-call eligibility period, on-call personnel will receive $30 dollars. If
a holiday occurs during the on-call eligibility period an additional $10 dollars
will be paid to the employee. The on-call compensation is included in
determining the employees overtime rate for the workweek.
3-12
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
3.00 WORK SCHEDULING AND TIME REPORTING
Compensation
• Time on-call or on standby is not considered as time worked. Employees
subject to the overtime provision of FLSA who are required to work a full 40
hours, including the holiday, will receive time and one-half pay for each hour
worked in excess of 40 hours.
• If on-call personnel are "called out" during the on-call period, they will be
compensated for the hours worked during the "call out". On the first call out
that requires an employee to report to a location 2 hours of time may be
recorded for any action that required 2 hours or less. For all other call outs of
seven minutes or more time must be combined and is rounded up to the
nearest 15 minutes or quarter hour increments.
• If on-call personnel receive a telephone call and discuss City business for
seven minutes or more that time is combined with all other telephone calls or
work time and is rounded up to the nearest 15 minute or quarter hour
increment.
EMERGENCY In the event of an anticipated emergency situation ( i.e. severe weather)
ON-CALL Department Directors may require that certain employees be placed on an
emergency on call status. These employees will be compensated with a flat rate
of $10.00 per day not to exceed $30.00 in a seven day workweek and will also be
compensated for hours physically worked consistent with their wage rate.
These employees are required to report to the assigned location within the
response time established by the department. In most instances, this is twenty
minutes.
RELATED 3.02 Time Reporting
POLICIES
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
3-13
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
3.00 WORK SCHEDULING AND TIME REPORTING
3.05 ALTERNATIVE WORK HOURS
PURPOSE
POLICY
ALTERNATE
SCHEDULES
EMPLOYEES ON
COMPRESSED
WORK WEEK
SCHEDULES
To provide alternatives to the traditional 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. workday.
Alternative work hour schedules are privileges extended to regular employees. In
addition, an employee may be required by the supervisor to work an alternative
schedule. However, every job can not be adapted to alternative work times, nor
can every department/division necessarily participate.
Supervisors and managers are responsible for determining which jobs can
accommodate alternative work hours without any adverse effect on service to the
public, work productivity, or work environment.
Employees may request work hours that differ from the City's normal business
hours of Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Schedules must be
recommended by the supervisor to be approved by the Department Director after
review by the Human Resources Department.
Certain conditions may require a temporary or permanent return to normal
working hours, such as meeting schedules, training, court leave, travel, staffing
shortages during holidays, and other conditions.
An employee's supervisor may elect to terminate the alternative work schedule at
any time and require the employee to work hours specified by the supervisor.
The City Manager retains the authority to schedule/re-schedule work hours to
meet business needs and efficiency.
Two types of alternative schedules are available:
Flex Time maintains the Monday through Friday workweek but allows flexible
starting and quitting times. For example, an employee might choose to work from
7 a.m. to 4 p.m. or from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Compressed Work Hours alter the Monday through Friday workweek, as well as
the daily work hour schedule. The City options allow a four day or four and one
half day workweek.
Alternative schedules are explained in the procedures that follow.
Employees on compressed work schedules who are scheduled to work more
hours than 8 hours per day will only receive 8 hours of holiday benefit. These
employees must either adjust their workweek or take the difference in vacation
and holiday leave.
3-14
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
3.00 WORK SCHEDULING AND TIME REPORTING
LUNCH HOURS
REQUESTING
ALTERNATIVE
WORK HOURS
IMPLEMENTA-
TION
MANAGEMENT
GUIDELINES
MANAGEMENT
INFORMATION
EMPLOYEE'S
GUIDELINES
All City employees must take a lunch period not to exceed one hour. A minimum
lunch period of thirty minutes is acceptable with prior approval from the
supervisor.
Employees requesting alternative work hours schedules must complete the
Alternative Work Hours form. The form should be submitted through the
employee's supervisor to the Division Director with final approval by the
Department Director.
Once authorized, the alternative work hour schedule remains constant unless a
schedule change is requested through completion of the request form.
Occasional variations to the schedule are permissible upon approval by the
supervisor. It is recommended that variations be authorized for operational or
work-related reasons only.
All Departments/Divisions must ensure that phones are answered and general
receptionist functions provided between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday.
Supervisors are encouraged to be flexible in arranging employee schedules, but
must be aware that this option may not be viable for all work, units, or individual
employees.
A supervisor is also responsible for ensuring that staff members on alternative
schedules observe assigned work hours and proper timekeeping procedures.
Managers are expected to maintain information concerning alternative work hour
program participation and efficiency. The information should list employee
alternative schedules and describe any positive or negative changes in:
• work quality and quantity;
• attendance statistics; and
• general work habits.
This information may be used to justify the continuation or the termination of a
division's -or individual's -alternative work hours and must be made available to
Executive management upon request.
Employees requesting alternative work hours, should consult with their supervisor
to design schedules according to their job duties and supervision requirements.
Schedules are then implemented only after approval by the Division Manager and
Department Director.
Employees are responsible for recording time accurately and communicating any
problems to their supervisors.
3-15
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
3.00 WORK SCHEDULING AND TIME REPORTING
RELATED 3.01 Work Scheduling
POLICIES 3.02 Time Reporting
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
3-16
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
4.00 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS, LEAVE TIME AND SERVICES
SECTION PAGE
4.01 BENEFITS 4-2
4.02 LEAVE TIME 4-5
4.03 HOLIDAYS 4-6
4.04 VACATION LEAVE 4-8
4.05 SICK LEAVE 4-10
4.06 FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE 4-13
4.07 EMERGENCY LEAVE 4-17
4.08 MILITARY LEAVE 4-18
4.09 LEAVE OF ABSENCE 4-20
4.10 ADDITIONAL LEAVE 4-21
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
4.00 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS, LEAVE TIME AND SERVICES
4.01 BENEFITS
PURPOSE
POLICY
GROUP
INSURANCE
PLAN
SUPPLEMENTAL
COVERAGE
SOCIAL
SECURITY
UNEMPLOYMENT
INSURANCE
WORKERS'
COMPENSATION
RETIREMENT
PLAN
To explain the benefits available to qualified City employees.
The City is committed to maintaining competitive benefits that will attract and
retain quality employees and enhancing employees' quality of life.
Regular full-time employees and part-time employees who are normally
scheduled to work at least 30 hours per week are eligible for group medical,
dental, and vision insurance coverage.
The City pays the premium for employee -only coverage for full-time employees.
The City pays three-quarters of the employee -only premiums for qualifying part-
time employees. Eligible employees may add dependent coverage at the
employee's expense.
The Human Resources Department administers the group insurance plan, in
accordance with the terms of the contract and shall provide assistance as
necessary to help employees understand the plan.
The City may periodically revise the group insurance plan. Benefit provisions
shall be specified in the contract of insurance and will be outlined in the plan
booklet.
The City offers voluntary supplemental insurance through a third party
administrator.
Employees are covered under Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance
(Social Security). The City contributes to the Social Security System for each
employee.
Employees are covered under the Texas Unemployment Compensation
Insurance program. In certain circumstances, this program provides benefits to
unemployed qualified workers.
Employees are covered by the Workers' Compensation Insurance Program.
This program provides medical and salary continuation payments to employees
and/or qualified volunteers who receive bona fide, on-the-job, work-related
injuries.
Affected employees will continue to receive City wage checks, reflecting the
salary for the number of hours in the regularly scheduled pay period.
Employees receiving salary continuation benefit checks from the City's
insurance carrier (Texas Municipal League) must endorse and return the
checks to Human Resources immediately.
The City is a member of the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS), a
non-traditional joint contributory, defined contribution plan. Membership in the
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HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
4.00 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS, LEAVE TIME AND SERVICES
retirement system is mandatory for all regular full-time employees (defined by
TMRS as an employee who works in excess of 1,000 hours per year). Both the
employee and the City contribute to the employee's retirement account.
Employees who leave City employment prior to retirement may request a
refund of their contributions plus interest earned from TMRS.
Retirement benefits are determined by a formula that takes in account the
average life expectancy of a person at the time of retirement, the amount
deposited in the employee's account, the future interest rate assumption as set
by law, and which of the benefit payment plans the employee selects.
DEFERRED The City offers a supplemental deferred compensation program, which allows
COMPENSATION employees to defer a portion of their expendable gross earnings up to an
established maximum per year. Under this plan, the amount of salary, which is
deferred, is not taxed in the current year. Both the salary deferred and the
earnings it generates are permitted to accumulate without being subject to
taxes until the employee received payments from his or her account.
FLEXIBLE The City offers flexible spending accounts for dependent childcare
SPENDING reimbursement and unreimbursed medical expenses. This program allows
ACCOUNTS employees to be reimbursed for dependent childcare expenses and for out of
pocket health care expenses. Employees elect to contribute money to one or
both accounts on a pre-tax basis through payroll deduction.
LEAVE TIME Regular full time employees and part-time employees are eligible to receive
paid time off consistent with leave policies detailed in this policy and procedure
manual.
LONGEVITY PAY The City may reward eligible employees with an end -of -year, lump -sum
payment. Payments of this nature will be given if a pool of funds for this
purpose has been set aside in the budget established by the City Council at the
beginning of the fiscal year.
Only employees who are normally scheduled to work at least 20 hrs. per week
and who have complete one year of service are eligible to receive longevity
pay. The payment will be based on months of service with the City and
awarded in December.
EDUCATION Regular full-time employees, and part time employees normally scheduled to
ASSISTANCE work at least 20 hours per week, who have completed their introductory period
may be eligible for education assistance consistent with policy detailed in this
manual.
SERVICE PINS Each year in December, service pins are awarded to employees who have
completed 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 years of service with the City of Round Rock.
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HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
4.00 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS, LEAVE TIME AND SERVICES
RELATED 2.01 Compensation
POLICIES 2.02 Salary Administration
8.05 Tuition Assistance / Reimbursement Program
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
4.00 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS, LEAVE TIME AND SERVICES
4.02 LEAVE TIME
PURPOSE To establish policies and procedures regarding employee leave, in accordance
with federal law and state local laws.
POLICY All employees are required to report hours worked and leave taken accurately.
A deliberate misrepresentation of hours worked, leave taken, or an
unauthorized absence will result in disciplinary action up to and including
termination.
The employee's supervisor must approve all leave time taken. Leave taken may
be paid or unpaid.
UNAUTHORIZED An unauthorized absence occurs when an employee:
ABSENCE
• takes leave without prior approval as required; or
• is absent from work and fails to notify the supervisor within the established
time frame.
LEAVE BALANCES Upon approval by the supervisor, the employee may use any available holiday
or vacation leave time.
Sick leave may only be used for illness of the employee or immediate family
members.
Negative leave balances are not allowed.
SUPERVISOR'S Supervisors are responsible for determining that leave has been accrued and is
RESPONSIBILITY available for use in the amounts requested by an employee. Department
Directors are responsible for ensuring that all leave taken is recorded on the
Payroll Summary Form that is sent to Payroll for payroll processing.
RELATED
POLICIES
EFFECTIVE
DATE
November 9, 2000
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HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
4.00 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS, LEAVE TIME AND SERVICES
4.03 HOLIDAYS
PURPOSE To explain policies and procedures concerning holiday leave and to establish a
holiday schedule.
POLICY The City is committed to providing a competitive benefit to recognize traditional
holiday's preserving the rich heritage and traditions of our community and
enhancing the quality of life.
Regular full-time employees and part-time employees who are normally
scheduled to work at least 20 hours per week are paid for holidays. Payment is
based on the number of hours they would have worked if the holiday had not
occurred. However, employees will not receive more than eight hours leave
time for the holiday.
Temporary employees are not paid for holidays except for holiday hours
actually worked.
DESIGNATED The City Council designates holidays for City employees. The following days
HOLIDAYS are observed as paid holidays for regular non -police, non -firefighter employees
who are normally scheduled to work at least 20 hours per week:
ELIGIBILITY
• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• President's Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veteran's Day
• Thanksgiving and the Friday following Thanksgiving
• Christmas Eve and Christmas Day; or, when Christmas Day falls on
a Thursday, Christmas Day and the following Friday.
If the holiday falls on a Saturday, the proceeding Friday shall be observed. If a
holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday shall be observed.
Employees who are members of religious faiths which celebrate other religious
holidays that are not City holidays may substitute one or more days for one or
more of the holidays listed above, provided that the employee's job and the
business needs of the department are met.
Regular part-time employees who are normally scheduled to work at least 20
hours per week are paid for holidays based on the number of hours they would
have worked if the holiday had not occurred.
Temporary employees or employees who are normally scheduled to work fewer
than 20 hours per week are not paid for holidays except for holiday hours
actually worked.
An employee who is absent with out approved leave or is on leave without pay
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HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
4.00 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS, LEAVE TIME AND SERVICES
BUSINESS
NECESSITY
ALTERNATE DAY
OFF
FLEXIBLE
SCHEDULES
HOLIDAYS FOR
PATROL OFFICERS
AND
FIREFIGHTERS
RELATED
POLICIES
EFFECTIVE
DATE
on the workday immediately preceding or following a holiday will not be paid for
the holiday.
It is not always feasible to grant holidays at the scheduled time, especially for
employees who are assigned shifts on an "around-the-clock" operation.
Additionally, with the approval of the City Manager, a Department Director that
finds it a business necessity to do so may direct some or all employees of the
department to report for work on a holiday.
Non -police and non -firefighting employees who are scheduled to work a holiday
receive an alternate day off for the holiday.
Employees who are sick on a holiday for which they are scheduled to work will
document the leave as holiday leave rather than sick leave. If an employee is
sick on his/her alternate day off the leave will be documented as holiday leave.
If an official holiday falls within a non -police, non -firefighting employee's
vacation, the employee will be granted the holiday and not charged for a day of
vacation.
When a holiday falls on a day for which an employee is normally scheduled to
work more than eight hours, the employee may either take available leave for
the difference, or work additional hours on another day in the workweek.
Since police patrol and fire protection must be provided around-the-clock and
year-round, they remain open on holidays. To provide equivalent holiday leave
time to these employees, the City has established policies for holiday leave
accrual and usage for these departments.
Police Patrol Officers earn holiday leave credits as the holiday occurs.
Firefighters earn holiday leave credits at the rate of 12 hours per month, for a
total of 144 hours per year, reflecting the greater number of hours worked per
year by firefighters than by other City employees.
Holiday leave time expires one year from the date of accrual. Employees are
encouraged to take their holiday leave within the 12 month period or lose the
holiday leave accrual.
If an emergency necessitates that the employee be called in to work during
holiday leave all or part of that day, then the employee will be compensated.
The employee will be granted either equivalent holiday time off during the same
official work period or paid for the number of holiday hours actually worked.
2.01 Compensation
November 9, 2000
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HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
4.00 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS, LEAVE TIME AND SERVICES
4.04 VACATION LEAVE
PURPOSE To provide guidelines related to the accrual and use of vacation leave.
POLICY
LEAVE ACCRUAL
AND CARRYOVER
Regular full-time employees and regular part-time employees who are
normally scheduled to work at least 20 hours per week are eligible to accrue
vacation leave. Employees are encouraged to take regular vacation time at
least annually.
New employees may not take vacation leave during the six-month introductory
period. Employees who leave employment during the first six months will not
be paid for accrued vacation leave.
Vacation leave will accrue in the first and second pay period for each month
provided that the eligible full-time employee works at least 40 hours and the
part-time employee works at least 20 hours during the pay period or is on paid
leave. Leave can be taken after it shows as an accrual on the pay statement.
During the six month introductory period, employees may not use accrued
vacation leave.
E: Regular, full-time employees earn
Length of Service
Leave Accrual
1st & 2"d
pay period monthly
Maximum
Anniversary
Date Carryover
First pay period to end of 2"d yr.
4 hours
192 hours
start of 3' yr. to end of 9th yr.
5 hours
240 hours
start of 10th year
6 hours
288 hours
full-time commissioned Police Officers earn
v
Length of Service
•
Leave Accrual
1st & 2"d
pay period monthly
Maximum
Anniversary
Date Carryover
First pay period to end of 1st Y`.
4 hours
192 hours
start of 2"d yr. to end of 9th yr.
5 hours
240 hours
start of 10th year
6 hours
288 hours
•
Regular full-time Firefighters earn
Length of Service
Leave Accrual
1st & 2nd
pay period monthly
Maximum
Anniversary
Date Carryover
First pay period to end of 2nd yr.
7 hours
336 hours
start of 3`d yr. to end of 9th yr.
10 hours
480 hours
start of 10th year
13 hours
624 hours
Regular status employees who are normally scheduled to work at least 20
hours per week accrue vacation leave at a prorated rate (i.e. 20 hour
employees earn 2 hours, 30 hour employees earn 3 hours).
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HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
4.00 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS, LEAVE TIME AND SERVICES
Temporary employees (full-time or part-time) and regular part-time employees
who are normally scheduled to work fewer than 20 hours per week do not earn
vacation leave.
LEAVE CARRYOVER Employees are encouraged to use their accrued vacation leave each year as it
is earned. Annually, on the employee's anniversary date any vacation leave
balance in excess of these maximums is reduced to the maximums without
compensation.
SCHEDULING AND Supervisors should encourage their employees to schedule vacations and
USE OF VACATION request leave in advance. If it is necessary to refuse an employee's request to
LEAVE take vacation leave, the supervisor should explain the reason to the employee
and another time should be scheduled.
When employees take a full workday of vacation leave, they are charged with
the actual number of hours they would have worked that day. Use of vacation
leave for a portion of day is recorded in increments of fifteen minutes or more.
If a holiday occurs while an employee is on vacation leave, the holiday time off
will not be charged to the employee's vacation leave.
PAYMENT FOR Separation from Employment — Except as provided in 10.00 below, when an
UNUSED VACATION eligible employee who has completed six continuous months of employment
LEAVE separates from employment he/she may be eligible to be paid for unused
vacation leave.
RELATED
POLICIES
EFFECTIVE
DATE
Selling Vacation Leave — Under certain circumstances the City Manager is
authorized to pay an employee up to 40 hours of vacation leave per fiscal year
if an employee has a vacation leave balance in excess of 100 hours. Records
related to the sell back shall be retained with all other time reporting
documents.
Employees who have been disciplined within the last six months will not be
entitled to sell back vacation time.
Death of Employee — Unused vacation leave will be paid to the estate of the
employee if the employee has completed the introductory period.
2.01 Compensation
10.00 Separation
November 9, 2000
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HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
4.00 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS, LEAVE TIME AND SERVICES
4.05 SICK LEAVE
PURPOSE To provide guidelines related to the use of sick leave.
POLICY Regular full-time and part-time employees who are normally scheduled to work at
least 20 hours per week are eligible to accrue and use paid sick leave
LEAVE Sick leave entitlement will accrue the first and second pay period for each month
ACCRUAL provided that the full-time employee works at least 40 hours or the part-time
AND employee works at least 20 hours during the pay period or is on paid leave.
CARRYOVER
USE OF SICK
LEAVE
Regular full-time non -firefighting employees accrue 8 hours of sick leave per
month, with a maximum accrual of 720 hours. Regular full-time firefighting
employees accrue 12 hours per month, with a maximum accrual of 1,080 hours.
Regular part-time employees who are normally scheduled to work at least 20
hours per week accrue sick leave at a prorated rate.
Former employees who are re-employed within one year of leaving the City will
have 50% of their sick leave balance restored.
An employee may use sick leave if the employee is absent from work due to
• illness or temporary disability due to sickness, injury or pregnancy and
confinement;
• an appointment with a doctor (including general physicians, dentists,
obstetricians, or other licensed medical specialists);
• legal or doctor ordered quarantine; or
• illness of a member of the employee's immediate family who requires the
employee's personal care and attention. Sick leave for immediate family
members not residing in the employee's household is limited to time
necessary to provide care and assistance.
Immediate family includes: spouse, child, parent, mother-in-law, father-in-law,
daughter-in-law, or son-in-law of the employee who needs care and assistance
as a direct result of a documented medical condition.
Employees using sick leave are charged with the actual number of hours taken.
Use of sick leave for less than a full workday should be recorded in increments of
15 minutes.
CONSECUTIVE Sick leave taken for three or more consecutive days may be subject to Family
DAYS OF SICK and Medical Leave.
LEAVE
An employee must provide his or her supervisor with a doctor's certificate or
other written statement of facts to receive paid leave for any continuous period of
more than three working days.
This documentation must be provided immediately upon return to duty. The
supervisor should attach this documentation to the time sheet.
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HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
4.00 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS, LEAVE TIME AND SERVICES
ABUSE OF
SICK LEAVE
The City recognizes that absence because of illness can be unavoidable but
encourages employees to accumulate a reasonable sick leave balance for use in
the event of a serious or long-term illness.
Evidence of abuse of leave privileges can include, but is not limited to:
• frequent absences on Friday and/or Monday;
• maintaining low or zero paid leave balances; and/or
• frequent absences prior to or following a holiday.
A doctor's statement may be required for each incident of sick leave taken. A
supervisor may ask for a doctor's statement regardless of the number of days
absent or the frequency of absence.
EXHAUSTED An employee who has exhausted his or her sick leave (and, for applicable
LEAVE employees, who has exhausted his or her Sick Bank leave) will automatically be
placed on vacation leave if (1) the employee has vacation leave available; and (2)
the employee has not requested a temporary leave of absence without pay. No
advance of unearned sick leave benefits will be made for any reason.
ILLNESS WHILE When an illness or physical incapacity occurs during the time an employee is on
ON VACATION vacation leave, accrued sick leave may be granted to cover the period of illness
LEAVE or incapacity and the charge against vacation leave reduced proportionately. A
medical statement must be presented to supervisor to be eligible for adjusted
leave.
SEPARATION Unused sick leave accrued after January 1, 1994 is lost without compensation
FROM EMPLOY upon termination of employment.
MENT
Sick Leave Bank -Employees employed, prior to January 1, 1994 who have
banked sick leave will receive payment of the qualifying portion based on his or
her hourly wage at that time the bank was created.
EXTENDED SICK Extended Sick Leave may be available if a regular status employee has a serious
LEAVE medical problem, which requires that he or she continue to be away from work
after exhausting all other leave balances. Extended Sick Leave must be
approved by Human Resources. The maximum amount of extended sick leave
granted by the City with pay is 40 hours.
LEAVE Leave may be available to employees who have exhausted their sick, vacation,
DONATIONS and any other available leave and are unable to return to work due to a serious
health condition, or to care for a serious health condition of a spouse, child, or
parent.
Employees with at least six months of continuous employment with the City of
Round Rock may qualify for donated leave.
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HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
4.00 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS, LEAVE TIME AND SERVICES
Donated leave will be considered a part of the employee's 12 aggregate
workweeks allowable in any 12 month period under the Family and Medical
Leave Act.
Donations - Employees may donate leave from their sick or vacation leave
account to other eligible employees. Non -firefighting employees may donate up
to 40 hours providing that the employee who is donating has a remaining balance
(of the donated leave type) of at least 100 hours. Firefighting employees must
donate leave in increments equal to 1.5 times when donating to non -fighting
employees. For example, 8 hours of non -firefighting sick leave donated is equal
to 12 hours of firefighting leave time. Donations should be made on a pay period
by pay period basis and only the number of hours needed for that pay period
should be donated.
Employees wishing to donate leave must complete a separate timesheet and in
the remarks section state the number of hours to be donated and the name of the
person receiving the donation.
The timesheet must be forwarded to the Timekeeper of the employee receiving
the donation. Timekeepers must attached timesheets indicating donations to the
time sheet of the employee receiving donation. Timekeepers should also make a
notation on the Payroll Summary Sheet so that the Payroll Division is aware of
donation.
RELATED 2.01 Compensation
POLICIES 3.02 Time Reporting
4.06 Family and Medical Leave
10.00 Separation
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
4-12
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
4.00 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS, LEAVE TIME AND SERVICES
4.06 FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT (FMLA)
PURPOSE To explain the provisions of leave under the FMLA.
POLICY The City of Round Rock allows leave time consistent with FMLA.
ELIGIBLE To be eligible for FMLA leave, an employee must have been employed
CIRCUMSTANCES continuously by the City of Round Rock for at least the previous 12 months
and have worked at least 1,250 hours during those 12 months in a regular
position.
An eligible employee is entitled to 12 workweeks of paid or unpaid leave during
any 12 -month period for three purposes: (1) birth or placement for adoption or
foster care of a child (only within 12 months of the birth or placement); or (2) a
serious health condition of a spouse, child, or parent; or (3) the employee's
own serious health condition.
A serious health condition is one that requires either in-patient care or
continuing treatment by a health care provider.
If both spouses are employed by the City and the reason for the leave is to
care for a newly arrived child or a sick parent, 12 weeks is the aggregate leave
limit for both.
Temporary employees are not eligible for FMLA leave.
DEFINITION OF The FMLA provides the following definitions for family members eligible under
FAMILY MEMBERS the Act:
• "Son or daughter" means a biological, adopted, or foster child, a
stepchild, a legal ward, or a child of a person standing in the place of a
parent. The child must be under 18 years of age or an individual 18 years
of age or older who is incapable of self-care because of a mental or
physical disability.
• "Spouse" means a husband or wife as defined or recognized under state
law for purposes of marriage, including common law marriage.
• "Parents," means biological, or someone who was the employee's legal
guardian.
Although City policy does allow for the use of sick leave to be taken to provide
care for the employee's spouse, son, daughter, parent, mother-in-law, father-
in-law, daughter-in-law or brother-in-law who has a "serious health condition",
the mother-in-law, father-in-law, daughter-in-law, and brother-in-law are not
included in the legal requirement for the 12 workweeks of paid or unpaid leave
required by the FMLA.
Additionally FMLA leave provisions applicable may not be taken to care for
parents-in-law, grandparents, unmarried domestic spouses and couples,
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HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
4.00 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS, LEAVE TIME AND SERVICES
siblings, to visit a sick family member, or for bereavement.
CALCULATION OF The 12 -month period for eligibility for leave is calculated on an individual
TWELVE employee basis in a uniform manner for all employees. The 12 -month period
MONTH PERIOD is measured forward from the date any employee's first FMLA leave begins.
LIMITATIONS Leave may be taken on an intermittent or reduced basis for the birth or
RESTRICTIONS adoption of a child only if the arrangement is agreed to by the City. However,
leave for serious health conditions - either of the employee or of eligible family
members of the employee - may be taken intermittently or on a reduced
schedule if medically necessary, provided the other conditions of these policies
are met.
TEMPORARY If the employee's request for intermittent leave is foreseeable based on
TRANSFER planned medical treatment, the City may require the employee to transfer
temporarily to an alternative position, with equivalent pay and benefits, that
better accommodates recurring periods of leave.
MAXIMUM The total cumulative maximum period of time which an employee may be
DURATION absent from work on family leave during any 12 -month period is 12 weeks,
regardless of whether all or a portion of the leave period is paid or unpaid. If
an employee has accrued sick, vacation, or personal leave on the books at the
time the family leave commences, the employee must exhaust those leave
balances before being eligible for unpaid family leave.
Once all leave available to the employee has been exhausted the City will
provide enough unpaid leave to cover the balance of the total 12 weeks.
During the unpaid portion of an employee's family leave period, the employee
accrues no vacation leave, sick leave, or any other type of leave.
PART-TIME/ Where an employee normally works a part-time schedule or variable hours,
VARIABLE HOUR the amount of leave to which an employee is entitled is determined on a pro
EMPLOYEES rated basis.
NOTICE
In the case of leave for birth or placement of a child, an employee should
provide at least 30 days advance notice before the date on which the leave
would begin. If the employee is unable to provide 30 days notice, he or she
must provide as much notice as is practicable, usually within one or two
business days of the date the employee is aware of the need to request leave.
In the case of leave for a serious medical condition, the employee should
make a reasonable effort to schedule the treatment so as not to unduly disrupt
the City's operations.
CERTIFICATION An employee requesting paid or unpaid leave for an extended illness or
OF CONDITION temporary disability must submit a medical doctor's statement to Human
Resources. The statement should include the date on which the employee is
no longer able to perform his or her duties, or a statement that the employee is
needed to care for a spouse, parent, or child. The statement must also include
the expected return to work date, as well as appropriate medical facts.
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HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
4.00 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS, LEAVE TIME AND SERVICES
SECOND, THIRD
OPINIONS
In addition, the employee must also provide the City Manager with a written
statement from the employee concerning his or her intentions about returning
to work at the City. An employee on FMLA leave should maintain contact with
the appropriate Department Director to report on his or her status. The City
may also require subsequent re -certifications as reasonably needed. Failure
to provide required medical status reports or to contact the office on the
schedule required by the City Manager is grounds for disciplinary action.
The City may require a second opinion, and, if conflicting, a third opinion from
a health care provider as to the need for and scheduling of FMLA leave. The
second and third options, if sought and obtained by the City, will be paid for by
the City and will be obtained from independent health care providers. If a third
opinion is necessary, the third opinion is final.
RETURN TO WORK After completion of FMLA leave, an employee will be returned either to the
same position he or she held before the leave began or to a position
equivalent to the previously held position in pay, benefits, and other terms and
conditions of employment.
This policy may be modified for "key employees," defined as those salaried
employees in the top 10 percent of the City's workforce. Key employees will
be notified in advance of their status. Regardless of whether the FMLA leave
period is paid, unpaid, or a combination of both, the employee's health
insurance coverage will be continued in the same manner and at the same
level as prior of the FMLA leave period.
Should the employee decide at any time after FMLA leave begins, that he or
she will not return to work at the City, the employee must reimburse the City
for health coverage premiums paid by the City unless the reason for not
returning to work is the continuation, recurrence, or onset of a serious health
condition, or other circumstances beyond the employee's control. Medical
condition is subject to certification.
RETENTION An employee on FMLA leave does not lose any previously accrued seniority or
OF BENEFITS employment benefits, but does not earn any leave credits or other benefits
during the unpaid portion of the leave.
SUMMARY OF ACT A summary of the Family and Medical Leave Act will be placed on official City
bulletin boards for employees' information.
EXTENSION OF
FMLA LEAVE
Extensions of FMLA leave beyond the 12 -week period may be authorized by
the City Manager and Department Directors in no more than one-month
intervals. A careful review must be conducted prior to authorizing any
extension. The reason(s) for granting the extension must be documented in
the employee's or medical file.
DOCUMENTATION All documentation regarding FMLA leave will be filed in the employee's
medical file, which is maintained separate from the personnel files and is
4-15
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
4.00 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS, LEAVE TIME AND SERVICES
accessible by individuals only on a "need -to -know" basis or as otherwise
required by law.
RELATED 2.03 Sick Leave
POLICIES 7.07 Reporting and Recording Accidents, Incidents and Environmental Events
7.08 Reporting and Recording Injuries and Illnesses
EFFECTIVE
DATE
November 9, 2000
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HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
4.00 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS, LEAVE TIME AND SERVICES
4.07 EMERGENCY LEAVE
PURPOSE To explain polices and procedures related to emergency leave.
POLICY
The City may provide paid absences for a death in an employee's immediate
family, or for the illness of a member of the employee's immediate family.
For purposes of emergency leave, "immediate family" includes spouse, child,
parent, brother, sister, mother-in-law, father-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law or
grandparents of an employee, or any relative living in the employee's household.
The terms, reasons, and length of leave time approved must be documented and
attached to the timesheet. The length of time granted (number of hours or days)
for a specific emergency leave must be approved by the Department Director in
advance.
BEREAVEMENT An employee may be granted up to 24 hours of emergency leave to attend the
funeral of an immediate family member. An employee may use vacation or sick
leave for additional time off.
FAMILY
MEMBER CARE
Provided that sick leave is not available, twenty four hours of emergency leave
may be granted to regular full-time employees in the event of a serious illness of
an immediate family member who requires the employee's personal care.
RELATED 4.05 Sick Leave
POLICIES 4.06 Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
4.10 Additional Leave
EFFECITIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
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HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
4.00 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS, LEAVE TIME AND SERVICES
4.08 MILITARY LEAVE
PURPOSE To provide guidelines for the use of and compensation related to Military Leave
POLICY
Regular status employees are eligible for the following types of leave for military
service: (1) authorized training or duty for members of the state military forces
and members of any of the reserve components of the United States Armed
Forces; (2) call to National Guard active duty by the Governor; and (3) national
emergency active duty for a member of a reserve branch of the U.S. Armed
Forces.
AUTHORIZED An eligible employee who is called to active duty or authorized training as a
TRAINING member of the state military forces or any of the reserve components of the
FOR DUTY United States Armed Forces is entitled to a leave of absence from his or her
respective duties for not more than 15 days in a federal fiscal year without loss of
time, efficiency rating, vacation time, or salary.
The 15 days need not be consecutive and "members of the state military forces
or members of reserve components of the U.S. Armed Forces who are ordered to
duty by proper authority on nonconsecutive days are entitled to 15 days total."
This same opinion also holds that 15 days refers to working days and calendar
days.
After exhausting the 15 days of military leave, the employee may use accrued
vacation leave to the extent available or be placed in a leave without pay status
(or combination of the two) for the remainder of the active duty period.
An eligible employee who is engaged in `authorized training duty' in the state
military forces is entitled to receive compensation for up to 15 working days per
year during which he is absent from his regular employment.
MILITARY Regular employees who are members of the state military forces or members of
LEAVE any of the Reserve Components of the Armed Forces of the United States are
entitled to leave of absence from their duties, without loss of time, seniority, or
benefits on all days during which they are engaged in authorized training or duty
ordered by proper authority, not to exceed 15 working days in any year. Regular
employees who have completed the six-month introductory period will continue to
receive pay from the City. Military leave in excess of 15 working days will be
charged to vacation leave or leave without pay.
Regular employees, who have completed six months of continuous employment,
who are ordered to extended active duty with the state or federal military forces
are entitled to all of the reemployment rights and benefits provided by law upon
their release from active duty and return to work.
Requests for military leave must include copies of the relevant military orders.
4-18
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
4.00 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS, LEAVE TIME AND SERVICES
CALL TO
NATIONAL
GUARD ACTIVE
DUTY BY THE
GOVERNOR
CALL TO
NATIONAL
DUTY, U.S.
ARMED
FORCES
RESERVE
BRANCH
RESTORATION
OF
EMPLOYMENT
RELATED
POLICES
EFFECTIVE
DATE
An eligible employee who is called to active duty as a member of the National
Guard by the Governor because of a state emergency is entitled to receive
emergency leave without loss of military or annual leave.
An eligible employee called to active duty during a national emergency by a
reserve branch of the U.S. Armed Forces will have a leave of absence. The
employee accrues service credit while on such leave but does not accrue
vacation or sick leave. However, the employee retains any accrued sick or
vacation leave and will be credited with those leave balances upon return.
Any employee who is restored to a position upon returning from military service is
considered to have been on a leave of absence during his/her time of federal or
state military service. The employee is entitled to participate in retirement and
other benefits to which he or she is or may be entitled.
To be eligible for restoration to his or her previous employment upon returning
from military service, the employee must have been honorably discharged no
later than the fifth anniversary of the date of call to active military service, and be
physically and mentally qualified to perform the duties of that position.
Employees returning to work following military service under restoration
provisions are entitled to include time spent on active duty with longevity of
employment for purposes of vacation and sick leave entitlement. Returning
employees do not accrue vacation or sick leave while on active military duty and
are not considered employed by the City.
4.09 Leave of Absence
November 9, 2000
4-19
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
4.00 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS, LEAVE TIME AND SERVICES
4.09 LEAVE OF ABSENCE
PURPOSE
POLICY
REVOCATION
OF LEAVE
OF ABSENCE
DOCUMENTA-
TION
RETURN TO
WORK
AFTER LEAVE
WITHOUT PAY
RELATED
POLICIES
EFFECTIVE
DATE
To provide guidelines and procedures related to leave of absence.
A leave of absence is an approved absence from duty in a non -pay status for not
more than six months. Granting a leave of absence is at the discretion of the City
Manager. Such leave is not authorized unless all applicable accrued paid leave
has been exhausted and there is a reasonable expectation that the employee will
return to employment with the City at the end of the approved period. Approval of
the leave must be documented and placed in the employee's personnel or
medical file, as appropriate.
An extension may be granted by the City Manager. A careful review of the
request must be conducted prior to authorizing any extension. The reason(s) for
granting the extension must be documented in writing in the employee's
personnel or medical file, as appropriate.
Employees on leave of absence without pay receive no compensation and accrue
no benefits. However, previously accrued leave balances, benefits, and seniority
are retained during leaves of absence unless otherwise prohibited by the terms of
the benefit programs. Medical insurance can be continued if the employee pays
the premiums (including the City's portion) in full in a timely manner. The City's
insurer may limit the length of time that the medical benefits may be continued.
A leave of absence without pay may be revoked upon receipt of evidence
submitted that the cause for granting the leave was misrepresented, or has
ceased to exist, or due to a legitimate business need.
A summary of the basis for the decision to grant or deny an unpaid leave of
absence and the terms of the leave will be prepared by the City Manager or his or
her designee and placed in the employee's personnel file.
Upon returning to work following a leave of absence, an employee may receive
an adjusted employment date and adjusted anniversary date, which reflect the
period of time that the employee used for leave of absence.
At the conclusion of a leave of absence, every effort will be made to reinstate the
employee to the same, or a comparable position.
7.09 Worker's Compensation
November 9, 2000
4-20
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
4.00 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS, LEAVE TIME AND SERVICES
4.10 ADDITIONAL LEAVE
PURPOSE
POLICY
ADMINISTRA-
TIVE
LEAVE
WORKERS
COMPENSATION
ON-THE-JOB
INJURY LEAVE
CIVIL LEAVE /
JURY DUTY
RELATED
POLICIES
EFFECTIVE
DATE
To provide guidelines for leaves not addressed in other policies.
The City's policy is to provide paid and unpaid leave outside of accrued leave in
certain circumstances.
The City Manager and Department Directors may authorize administrative leave,
with or without pay, when warranted by unforeseen circumstances not otherwise
provided for in these policies.
Information on occupational disability or injury leave for bona fide, on-the-job,
work-related injuries is covered in detail in this manual.
Employees are entitled to civil leave with pay for jury duty, for serving as a
subpoenaed witness in an official proceeding, and for voting.
When an employee has completed civil leave, he or she must report to the City
for duty for the remainder of the workday. If the employee will be absent from
work for more than one workday on civil leave, he or she must notify the
appropriate supervisor daily. Documentation verifying your participation on a
jury or as a witness must be attached to timesheet.
7.09 Worker's Compensation
November 9, 2000
4-21
No Text
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
5.00 PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND GENERAL WORKPLACE POLICIES
SECTION PAGE
5.01 PROFESSIONAL WORK ENVIRONMENT 5-2
5.02 PRIVACY EXPECTATION 5-4
5.03 ETHICAL STANDARDS 5-5
5.04 CONFLICT OF INTEREST 5-6
5.05 POLITICAL ACTIVITY 5-7
5.06 SOLICITATION OF FUNDS FOR CITY PROJECTS 5-9
5.07 TELEPHONE USE 5-10
5.08 USE OF CITY -OWNED MOBILE TELEPHONES 5-11
5.09 QUALITY OF WORK 5-13
5.10 WORKPLACE VIOLENCE 5-14
5.11 OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT 5-16
5.12 DRESS AND PERSONAL APPEARANCE 5-17
5.13 LABOR ACTIVITY 5-18
5.14 WHISTLE -BLOWER POLICY 5-19
5.15 USE AND CARE OF CITY PROPERTY 5-20
5-1
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
5.00 PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND GENERAL WORKPLACE POLICIES
5.01 PROFESSIONAL WORK ENVIRONMENT
PURPOSE To provide guidelines for work standards and conduct.
POLICY The City is committed to fostering an environment where employees treat each
other and the public with professionalism, dignity, and respect.
CAUTION
The general guidelines in this policy introduction provide the baseline or
foundation for the workplace policies included in the section. Workplace policies
provide detailed information, including procedures necessary for policy
implementation and consequences of violations of professional conduct.
Employees are expected to conduct themselves professionally at all times on the
job and to act in a manner that brings credit to themselves, the City, and the
public we serve. Excellent customer service is top priority.
The guidelines and policies in this section are not exhaustive. Good judgement
and consultation with your supervisor should be used to evaluate any issues not
specifically addressed by this policy manual.
Violation of this policy occurs if any on-the-job conduct is outside the scope of
professional behavior, common courtesy and excellent customer service and if
any conduct breaks any City policy or state or federal law.
GENERAL Maintain professional conduct and provide excellent customer service
GUIDELINES Professional behavior entails accurate, responsible, courteous, and helpful
responses to the public and co-workers.
Violent behavior, abusive language, rudeness, disruption of others,
insubordination, harassment or any form of discrimination is expressively
prohibited and is considered grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including
termination.
Weapons
It is strictly prohibited for City employees, who are not sworn police personnel, to
carry firearms or other weapons while performing official business in the field or
in the office. Additionally, with the previously identified exception, weapons are
prohibited on City property. Any employee found to be in violation of this policy
is subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.
Drugs/Alcohol
Having, allowing or consuming illegal drugs or alcohol on the work premises is
grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.
This is consistent with the Fit for Duty policy in this manual.
Strikes or Slow -downs
Participation in strikes or slow -downs is prohibited by law.
Observe City work hours
Observe all leave and work hours policies. Promptly notify your supervisor if you
are (or expect to be) late or absent; notify your supervisor no later than thirty
minutes from the time you are due at work. Avoid frequent lateness, leaving work
5-2
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
5.00 PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND GENERAL WORKPLACE POLICIES
without permission, or unexcused absence.
Unauthorized absence from work may be considered a resignation by the
supervisor. Unless the supervisor determines otherwise, the resignation is not in
good standing and the employee is not eligible for reemployment.
Two days of absence without notification to your supervisor is considered
abandonment of the position and is grounds for termination.
Smoking prohibition
Smoking is not allowed inside any City building. Smoking in City vehicles is also
prohibited.
Record and report information accurately
Record all information accurately and honestly. Examples include: travel
vouchers, time sheets, and mileage records. Dishonest reporting of information
or tampering with or altering City records is strictly prohibited and is grounds for
disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
All arrest, indictments or convictions must be reported to your supervisor or to the
Human Resources Director. If you have driving duties, you must notify your
supervisor of any moving violation convictions.
RELATED 3.02 Time Reporting
POLICIES 5.00 Professional Conduct and General Work Place Polices 5.01 — 5.16
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
5-3
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
5.00 PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND GENERAL WORKPLACE POLICIES
5.02 PRIVACY EXPECTATION
PURPOSE
POLICY
To effectively communicate the accountability and responsibility each employee
has when he/she works for the City.
Employees are responsible for a level of confidentiality that will preserve an
environment that supports sincerity, honesty, and ethical behavior.
As public sector employees supported by public funds, employees should not
expect privacy in their work, workstations, and/or anything that belongs to the
City used to produce that work. Official government records, most types of
electronic and written communication, unless it fits an exception to disclosure,
may be made available to the public upon written request in accordance with
procedures defined in the Public Information Act.
Any materials brought into the workplace, such as personal effects, briefcases,
purses, vehicles, and so on, or City property, such as desks, files, and computer
directories held or used by the employee, may be subject to search if a
reasonable suspicion exists. This includes but is not limited to an employee
being suspected of theft, possession or use of alcohol, prohibited drugs, or drug
paraphernalia or other misconduct. If the employee is available, he or she will be
asked to consent to the search. However, the City reserves the right to conduct
a search when a reasonable suspicion exists.
Any search will be conducted as privately as possible, involving only persons with
a need to know and only with the authorization of the City Manager or his/her
designee.
RELATED 6.03 Internal and External Electronic Communications
POLCIES
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
5-4
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
5.00 PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND GENERAL WORKPLACE POLICIES
5.03 ETHICAL STANDARDS
PURPOSE To establish high standards of professionalism and to ensure a high level of trust
among employees and between employees and our community.
POLICY
All employees are expected to maintain a high level of personal and professional
conduct on the job. As a public service organization, City employees are held to
a high standard of ethical conduct. Employees should conduct themselves in a
manner that ensures those high standards are met, avoiding even the
appearance of impropriety.
PROHIBITIONS Employees whose conduct is in violation of conduct standards are subject to
disciplinary action. Consistent with the public trust, City of Round Rock
employees must not:
• use their official position to secure special privileges or exemptions, whether
direct or indirect, for themselves or others;
• disclose any confidential information by privilege of the employee's position
concerning the property, operations, policies, or affairs of the City, or use
such confidential information to advance any personal interest, financial or
otherwise, of such employees or others;
• misappropriate City funds, property or assets, including theft and
unauthorized use;
• falsify documents or City records;
• behave in any manner (this includes commission and/or convictions of a
felony and certain misdemeanors) which causes discredit to the employee
and/or brings the City in disrepute; or
• accept any gift or free service that might tend to influence his/her official
actions or impair his/her independence of judgement in performance of duties
for the City.
By no means is this list all-inclusive. Any conduct of an employee that disrupts
the work environment or places the personal interest of the employee above
those of the City or of the public may be treated as a violation of the public trust
and is subject to disciplinary action, up to an including dismissal.
RELATED 5.04 Conflict of Interest
POLICIES
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
5-5
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
5.00 PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND GENERAL WORKPLACE POLICIES
5.04 CONFLICT OF INTEREST
PURPOSE To establish expectations of conduct when City employees are faced with a
potential conflict of interest.
POLICY
The City Council has adopted an ordinance for standards of conduct and financial
disclosure for the officers and employees of the City. All employees are expected
to be familiar with and abide by this ordinance. Copies are available from Human
Resources.
RELATED 5.03 Ethical Standards
POLICIES
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
5-6
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
5.00 PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND GENERAL WORKPLACE POLICIES
5.05 POLITICAL ACTIVITY
PURPOSE To provide guidelines for maintaining a work atmosphere that is free of undue
political influence.
POLICY Employees of the City are encouraged to vote and to exercise other prerogatives
of citizenship consistent with state and federal law and these policies.
No person may coerce an employee to participate in, or to refrain from
participating in, a political campaign. No one may require an employee to
contribute to any political fund, render any political service, or support any
political election. No one may punish an employee in any way for refusing to do
so.
PROHIBITIONS An employee, in his or her official capacity, may not:
• use his or her official authority or influence to interfere with or affect the result
of an election or nomination for office;
• directly or indirectly coerce, attempt to coerce, command, or advise a local or
state officer or employee to pay, lend or contribute anything of value to a
party, committee, organization, agency or person for a political purpose;
• use funds provided by the State of Texas to influence the passage or defeat
of any legislative measure in the Texas legislature or the outcome of any
election; or
• use his or her working time or City resource to participate in any political
campaign.
In addition, any City employee who is subject to the provisions of the federal
Hatch Act may not be a candidate for elective office in a partisan election. (A
partisan election is an election in which candidates are to be nominated or
elected to represent a party whose candidates for presidential electors received
votes in the last preceding election at which presidential electors were selected.)
City employees are subject to this additional Hatch Act restriction if their principal
employment is in connection with an activity, which is financed in whole or in part
by loans or grants made by the federal government.
All City employees are prohibited from participating in any way in any political
activity while wearing a City uniform, regardless of whether the employee is on
duty or on his or her own time. In addition, no City employee may use City -owned
property, (i.e. vehicle, building, and/or office), for displaying campaign materials
or for conducting any political activity.
An employee's political activity, not in violation of this section, shall not be
considered in determining his or her compensation, eligibility for promotion or
demotion, work assignment, leave or travel request, or in application of other
employment practices to the employee.
5-7
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
5.00 PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND GENERAL WORKPLACE POLICIES
CANDIDATES No employee of the City shall continue in such position after filing for an elective
FOR ROUND office of the City. (§ 5.02 (a)(3) Round Rock Charter)
ROCK CITY
COUNCIL
ELECTION TO Any City employee wishing to file for political office other than the Round Rock
OTHER City Council must notify the City Manager prior to filing. Additionally, any
POLITICAL employee who is being considered for an appointment to any political office shall
OFFICE notify the City Manager prior to the acceptance of such appointment. The City
Manager may review this matter to determine if potential conflicts of interests or
other concerns exist.
RELATED 5.04 Conflict of Interest
POLCIES
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
5-8
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
5.00 PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND GENERAL WORKPLACE POLICIES
5.06 SOLICITATION OF FUNDS FOR CITY PROJECTS
PURPOSE To establish general guideline related to solicitation of funds.
POLICY
RELATED
POLICIES
At times, projects may be undertaken whereby funds are solicited from private
citizens, businesses, and organizations on behalf of the City. Before any
solicitation of funds is begun, however, the Department Director must notify and
receive the approval of the City Manager. Participation on the part of any City
employee in a fund-raising effort on behalf of the City is strictly voluntary.
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
5-9
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
5.00 PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND GENERAL WORKPLACE POLICIES
5.07 TELEPHONE USE
PURPOSE To provide guidelines for responsible use of City telephones.
POLICY
Telephones are to be used for City business. It is understood that occasionally
personal calls are necessary; however, use of telephones for local personal calls
should not interfere with performance of job duties.
City employees may not place personal long distance telephone calls on City
telephone equipment unless the charges will be billed directly by the telephone
company to the individual's personal account.
If the City furnishes a City employee with mobile phone service, the employee
must abide by the policy related to mobile telephone use.
OFF-DUTY All supervisory and service personnel must furnish the City a telephone number
CONTACT at which they can be reached during off-duty hours or have ready access to a
NUMBERS telephone which they could use to respond to a page. Employees do not receive
either additional compensation or reimbursement for maintaining this telephone
service.
VOICE MAIL
The voice mail system is designed for improved customer service. Employees
must use the system appropriately, keeping in mind that effective
communications via telephone are an integral part of establishing and maintaining
quality customer service.
RELATED 5.08 Use of City -Owned Mobile Telephones Policy
POLICIES
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
5-10
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
5.00 PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND GENERAL WORKPLACE POLICIES
5.08 USE OF CITY -OWNED MOBILE TELEPHONES
PURPOSE To establish policy and procedures related to the acquisition and use of City -
owed mobile telephone.
POLICY It is the policy of the City of Round Rock that mobile telephones are a tool to
enhance productivity. Employees are fully responsible for the cost-effective
use and care of the tool.
Like all other City assets and resources, mobile telephones are acquired with
public funds to enable City employees to transact City business in the most
efficient and cost effective method possible.
All costs or expenses associated with personal use of City -owned mobile
telephones shall be the financial responsibility of the employee. Employees
have no legitimate expectation of privacy when using this resource.
GENERAL As a general rule the following employees are eligible for City -owned mobile
CRITERIA telephones:
• Employees who serve in public safety capacities and who by job title and
responsibility routinely serve or are subject to serve in command or field
coordinator roles for actual incidents or rehearsals for incidents that may
threaten public safety and well-being.
• Employees with whom immediate and direct telephonic communications are
necessary in the performance of their job responsibilities and organizational
duties. Radios should be the first method of communication with other City
employees who also have access to a radio.
• Employees with assigned duties and responsibilities that require mobile
communication access and where a mobile telephone provides economic or
functional benefits over and above other means of mobile communications.
RESPONSI- Departments retain the responsibility for:
BILITIES • reviewing established criteria in order to determine which employees have
legitimate business needs to have a mobile telephone assigned to them.
• reviewing directive/policy related to mobile telephones, reviewing content of
Agreement and Acknowledgment of City Directive on the Usage of City -
Owned Mobile Telephones with the affected employee and obtaining
employee's signature.
• submitting signed acknowledgment and request for mobile phone and other
equipment from Purchasing, including written justification for the request.
Include appropriate information relating to charging of accounts.
• ensuring employees protect and maintain all mobile phones.
• returning all mobile equipment to Purchasing when an individual is
reassigned or terminates employment. Purchasing will be responsible for
reassigning equipment as needed.
• reviewing each bill prior to returning the bills and reimbursement checks for
processing.
Purchasing Division retains the responsibility for:
• purchasing and assigning mobile telephones and numbers.
5-11
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
5.00 PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND GENERAL WORKPLACE POLICIES
DEPARTMENTAL
MOBILE
TELEPHONES
PURCHASING -
MOBILE
TELEPHONE
SIGN -OUT
RELATED
POLICIES
• maintaining a perpetual inventory of all mobile phones.
• maintaining records including signed copies of the Agreement and
Acknowledgment of City Directive on the Usage of City -Owned Mobile
Telephones.
Employees retain the responsibility for:
• the repair or replacement cost of the unit in the event that the telephone is
damaged, lost, or stolen due to negligence on the part of the employee.
• Ensuring that the mobile telephone is to be used with few exceptions for
City business. Personal calls should only be made under urgent conditions
or emergencies and must be reimbursed by the employee. An example of
an appropriate urgent condition would involve matters of health, safety, or
family emergencies.
• Ensuring that pagers are used for employee contact in order to limit cost
associated with airtime. Radios should be the first method of
communications with other City employees who also have access to a
radio.
• Limiting the release of the mobile telephone numbers to anyone except
those in the immediate chain of command.
• Reviewing the monthly bill and noting each call that is made (or was not
made) in the course of conducting City business. This includes incoming
calls. A reimbursement check for emergency personal calls shall be
attached and returned to the designated individual so that the payment
may be received in Finance within the established time frame.
• Maintaining and operating the mobile telephone and associated equipment
consistent with all manufacturing guidelines and City directive.
The Public Works, Police, and Fire departments are authorized to maintain a
limited number of mobile telephones to be routinely assigned to their work
crews on standby. Logs detailing the name of individual who checked out the
telephone and the date(s) used should be maintained.
Purchasing will maintain a supply of mobile phones that may be checked out by
an individual who occasionally goes into the field or travels from the office and
must maintain contact with the office.
EFFECTIVE DATE November 9, 2000
5-12
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
5.00 PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND GENERAL WORKPLACE POLICIES
5.09 QUALITY OF WORK
PURPOSE To reinforce the City's commitment to provide the best customer service and
highest standards of professionalism to the citizens of Round Rock.
POLICY
It is the duty of each employee to maintain high standards of productivity,
cooperation, efficiency and economy in his/her work for the City. Supervisors
shall organize and direct the work of their departments/divisions to achieve these
objectives. Employees are obligated to follow directions given by their
supervisors to achieve departmental/divisional goals and objectives.
If work habits, behavior, production or personal conduct of an employee falls
below appropriate standards, supervisors should point out the deficiencies at the
time they are observed. Counseling and warning the employee in sufficient time
for improvement shall customarily precede formal actions as stated in other
policies.
RELATED 8.06 Performance Management Process
POLICIES
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
5-13
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
5.00 PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND GENERAL WORKPLACE POLICIES
5.10 WORKPLACE VIOLENCE
PURPOSE To clearly state the City's position related to workplace violence.
POLICY
The City of Round Rock has zero tolerance with respect to workplace violence or
the threat of violence. The City does not tolerate any type of workplace violence
committed by or against employees. Employees are prohibited from making
threats or engaging in violent activities. Employees who violate this policy shall
receive disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
The City provides a safe workplace for all employees. To ensure a safe
workplace and to reduce the risk of violence, all employees must review and
understand all provisions of this workplace violence policy.
GUIDELINES Employees, who are victims of threats or any other intimidating or violent
behavior, should immediately report the conduct to the supervisor, other
appropriate authority and to the Human Resources Department.
Prohibited Conduct
This list of behaviors, while not inclusive, provides examples of conduct that is
prohibited:
• causing physical injury to another person;
• making threatening remarks;
• aggressive or hostile behavior that creates a reasonable fear of injury to
another person or subjects another individual to emotional distress;
• intentionally damaging City property or property of another employee;
• possession of a weapon while on City property or while on City business
except for authorized police personnel or
• committing acts motivated by, or related to, sexual harassment or domestic
violence.
Reporting Procedures
Any potentially dangerous situations must be reported immediately to a
supervisor or the Human Resources Department. Reports can be made
anonymously and all reported incidents will be investigated. Reports or incidents
warranting confidentiality will be handled appropriately and information will be
disclosed to others only on a need -to -know basis. All parties involved in a
situation will be counseled and the results of investigations will be discussed with
them. The City will actively intervene at any indication of a possibly hostile or
violent situation.
Risk Reduction Measures
• Hiring: Human Resources takes reasonable measures to conduct
background investigation to review applicants' backgrounds as appropriate
and reduce the risk of hiring individuals with a history of violent behavior.
• Safety: The City conducts annual inspections of the premises to evaluate
and determine any vulnerability to workplace violence or hazards.
Reasonably corrective actions will be taken to reduce risks.
• Individual Situations: While the City does not expect employees to be
skilled at identifying potentially dangerous persons, employees are expected
5-14
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
5.00 PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND GENERAL WORKPLACE POLICIES
to exercise good judgement and to inform the Human Resources Department
if any employee exhibits behavior, which could be a sign of potentially
dangerous situations. Such behavior includes:
• discussing weapons or bringing them to the workplace;
• displaying overt signs of extreme stress, resentment, hostility, or anger;
• making threatening remarks;
• sudden or significant deterioration of performance or
• displaying irrational or inappropriate behavior.
Dangerous/Emergency Situations
Employees who confront or encounter an armed or dangerous person should not
attempt to challenge or disarm the individual. If a supervisor, Human Resources
or Police Department staff member can be safely notified of the need for
assistance without endangering the safety of the employee or others, such notice
should be given. Otherwise, cooperate and follow the instructions given.
Enforcement
Threats, threatening conduct, or any other acts of aggression or violence in the
workplace will not be tolerated. Any employee determined to have committed
such acts will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
Non -employees engaged in violent acts or threats on the City's premises or while
attending to City related business will be reported to the proper authorities and
fully prosecuted.
RELATED 7.01 Safe Work Environment
POLICIES
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
5-15
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
5.00 PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND GENERAL WORKPLACE POLICIES
5.11 OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT
PURPOSE
POLICY
To promote trust, ensure high quality service to our customers and encourage
loyalty to City services.
Employees may not engage in any outside employment, including self-
employment, where such activity would (1) be inconsistent or incompatible with
employment with the City; or (2) affect the employee's job performance
adversely.
GUIDELINES Requests for outside employment will be submitted to the employee's supervisor
prior to beginning Tong -term outside employment.
Supervisors are responsible for monitoring their employee's performance and
determining any significant impairment that may be due to outside employment.
The supervisor must report any concerns to the Department Director.
Should a supervisor determine that an employee's outside employment interferes
with the effective performance of assigned City duties, the supervisor is
authorized to take whatever action is deemed appropriate to eliminate the
impairment, which may include requiring the employee to terminate the outside
employment or resign from the City's employment.
ON-THE-JOB If a City employee is injured in the course of outside employment, the employee
INJURY may not file a Workers' Compensation claim against the City for benefits related
to the injury, regardless of the fact the outside employment has been approved
by his/her supervisor.
The filing of a Workers' Compensation claim in this situation will be considered
falsification of documents and is grounds for disciplinary action up to and
including termination.
Additionally, any City employee who files a Workers' Compensation claim for an
on-the-job injury while performing City duties must report any outside
employment to the Safety/Risk Manager. In support of the City's return to work
program, reporting this information will ensure that any outside work activities
performed by the employee will not cause any negative impact on the employee's
current physical/medical condition.
RELATED
POLICIES
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
5-16
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
5.00 PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND GENERAL WORKPLACE POLICIES
5.12 DRESS AND PERSONAL APPEARANCE
PURPOSE
POLICY
To provide a broad guideline and definitions enabling employees to understand
what is appropriate dress during business hours as directed by their supervisors.
Employees are expected to maintain an appropriate professional appearance as
determined by the requirements of their area in which the employee works.
Uniforms, as well as other attire, should be appropriate and clean. In every
instance, the attire must conform to applicable safety regulations.
ENFORCEMENT Supervisors must communicate expected work attire, as well as attire that is
deemed as inappropriate.
OPTIONS
The supervisor is responsible for evaluating the dress and appearance of
employees under his/her supervision. If the employee is not dressed
appropriately, the supervisor must take appropriate actions. Actions may include
the following:
• On the first occasion, an oral warning may be given to the employee and
the City's and/or department's dress and appearance standards should be
reviewed. The employee may be sent home to change. Appropriate leave
time will be used to cover time away from work.
• On the second occasion, the employee may be sent home to change
clothes immediately as well as given a written warning. Employee must
use leave time to cover time away from work.
• Further violations will result in further disciplinary action.
Uniforms — In various departments, some employees are required to wear
uniforms, which are furnished by the City. In the public service departments, the
City provides laundering services.
Jeans Program — This program is limited to non-exempt employees who would
normally be required to wear uniforms. Eligible employees may elect to
participate in this program. The following additional guidelines apply:
• Employee must have completed at least six months of employment with the
City.
• No laundry service will be provided.
• Only Blue Jeans may be purchased (the only color is blue denim).
• Employees currently receiving uniforms pants must turn them in to provider.
RELATED Jeans Program Guidelines
POLICIES
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
5-17
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
5.00 PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND GENERAL WORKPLACE POLICIES
5.13 LABOR ACTIVITY
PURPOSE To state the City's position on labor activities.
POLICY
Nothing shall compel the City to recognize or engage in collective bargaining with
any labor organization except as provided by or required by law.
Employees shall not engage in any strike. "Strike" includes:
• the concerted failure to report for duty;
• willful absence from one's position;
• unauthorized holidays;
• sickness unsubstantiated by a physician's statement when requested or
medical examination when directed;
• the stoppage of work; or
• the refraining in whole or in part from the full, faithful, and proper
performance of the duties of employment for the purposes of inducing,
influencing, or coercing a change in condition, compensation, rights,
privileges, or obligations of employment.
RELATED 9.01 Grievance Procedures
POLICIES
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
5-18
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
5.00 PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND GENERAL WORKPLACE POLICIES
5.14 WHISTLE -BLOWER POLICY
PURPOSE To clearly state the City's position related to the Whistle -blower Act.
POLICY The City will not suspend, terminate, or otherwise discriminate against an
employee who reports a violation of law to an appropriate law enforcement
authority if the employee report is made in good faith.
EMPLOYEE No employee will be harassed, suspended, terminated or otherwise discriminated
RIGHTS against for exercising their rights.
Employee rights include:
• right and/or duty to report violations of law;
• right to report unsafe act or condition;
• right to file a Workers' Compensation Claim;
• right to file a grievance; and
• right to file a complaint of alleged discrimination.
SUPERVISOR Supervisors are responsible for reporting any violation of this policy to the
RESPONSIBI- Department Director and/or City Manager.
LITY
RELATED
POLICIES
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
5-19
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
5.00 PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND GENERAL WORKPLACE POLICIES
5.15 USE AND CARE OF CITY PROPERTY
PURPOSE To establish guidelines for employee use of, and responsibility for, City -owned or
leased property.
POLICY City employees should limit use of City property to official business. The use of
any City equipment that increases the City's liability in relation to risk and/safety
may be grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal.
Employees are responsible for the care of any City property and/or equipment
assigned to them or their care. Employees may not entrust the City property to
anyone to be used for other than City directed purposes. Employees may be
held financially liable for the loss, misuse, deterioration or destruction of City
property if justifiable cause cannot be established.
CAUTION Employees are cautioned to pay close attention to City and Departmental policy
related to the use of City vehicles and equipment.
RELATED
POLICIES
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
5-20
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
6.00 COMMUNICATION
SECTION PAGE
6.01 COMMUNICATION 6-2
6.02 REQUESTS FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION 6-4
6.03 INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS 6-5
6.04 COMPUTER USE AND SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS 6-7
6-1
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
6.00 COMMUNICATION
6.01 COMMUNICATION
PURPOSE
POLICY
MEDIA
To establish policy, procedures and guidelines for public communication between
City officials and employees and those citizens, news media representatives and
others requiring information concerning City issues, programs, projects, services
and activities.
It is the policy of the City of Round Rock to encourage positive communication
and to ensure the exchange of accurate, timely information among City Council
members, City employees and administrators, citizens, media representatives
and others interested in City issues, policies, operations and services.
The Communications Director is responsible for developing, directing and
implementing the City's overall community and media relations function. The
Communications Director will assist in the planning of key programs and projects
to ensure that community and media relations concerns are fully considered.
The Communications Director will act as a consultant to City departments to
design communications strategies for City services and programs, develop
guidelines for publications, and coordinate a consistent graphic identity for the
City.
City departments and their staff, in cooperation with the Communications
Director, have a joint responsibility to initiate and develop community relation's
material, whether printed, displayed or produced through audio/visual media.
The departments will consult with the Communications Director to ensure the
presentation of a consistent, positive, and professional image for the City. Non-
routine materials shall be routed through the Communications Director at an early
stage for review and for approval at the final draft stage.
RESPONSIBILTY When information is requested by a non -media customer, each City official and
employee shall respond in a professional, concise and timely manner — generally
within the business day — within his or her area of responsibility and knowledge.
Each employee shall notify his/her supervisor when a potential communication
problem or misunderstanding may develop and what action might mitigate the
situation before it becomes a serious problem
When questions arise from the news media, a reasonable effort should be made
to answer or address them in a timely manner - generally within the business day
— and according to the following levels of responsibility:
1) A City employee who is contacted by the news media shall notify their
supervisor and all staff who might be affected by the inquiry, giving them
the details of the situation and possible implications.
2) If the issues discussed have serious, controversial, or citywide impact,
the employee contacted shall provide that information to the Department
Director, who, in turn, will provide the City Manager and
Communications Director with a concise written or verbal report of the
6-2
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
6.00 COMMUNICATION
situation and a recommended action. This information will then be
passed on to the City Council.
City Council members, the City Manager and Assistant City Manager
provide information on policy issues or issues which have citywide significance or
impact.
Department Directors provide information on the planning, direction, effect, and
status of policies and programs within their areas of responsibilities.
Project Managers provide specific information concerning the individual projects
and services within their areas of responsibility, only after notifying their
Department Director of the media request and receiving approval to handle the
response.
PUBLIC Public Information requests (sometimes referred to as Freedom of Information
INFORMATION Act) shall be forwarded immediately to the Assistant City Manager/City Secretary.
ACT REQUESTS
EXCEPTIONS In the event of a natural or technological emergency/disaster, the City's
Emergency Management Plan and procedures will take precedence. Section V,
Page 9 of that document outlines Emergency Public Information and
Communication procedures.
RELATED Emergency Management Plan
POLICIES 6.02 Requests for Public Information
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
6-3
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
6.00 COMMUNICATION
6.02 REQUESTS FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION
PURPOSE To provide guidelines for responding to requests for information under the Texas
Public Information Act.
POLICY The City is committed to upholding the policy of the Public Information Act (PIA)
and to insuring that the public's access to public information is protected.
Requests for Public Information must be submitted in writing to the Assistant City
Manager/City Secretary or forwarded to the Assistant City Manager/City
Secretary upon receipt.
Information that is not confidential by law or information for which an exception to
disclosure has not been sought will be released in accordance with the Public
Information Act.
DEFINITION "Public Information" means information that is collected, assembled, or
maintained under a law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of
official business; (1) by a governmental body; or (2) for a governmental body and
the governmental body owns the information or has a right of access to it.
The City discloses public information unless one of the exceptions to disclosure
listed in the PIA is applicable, or if the information is made confidential by other
law.
RELATED
POLICIES
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
6-4
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
6.00 COMMUNICATION
6.03 INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS
PURPOSE To ensure the effective use of computer resources and staff time.
POLICY
It is the policy of the City of Round Rock that electronic mail, Internet, and
telecommunications access are resources made available for department
employees to communicate on work-related issues with each other, other
governmental entities, companies, and individuals.
GUIDELINES Uses of electronic communication:
• communicate with employees, vendors, or the public regarding matters within
the employee's assigned duties;
• acquire information related to or designed to facilitate the performance of
duties; and
• facilitate performance of any task or project.
Restrictions:
• Computer systems are not to be used for any non -departmental business or
purpose during regularly scheduled work time without the approval of the
employee's supervisor.
• The systems are not to be used for personal financial gain.
• Downloading or distributing copyrighted materials or software is prohibited.
• Unlawful activities or solicitations are prohibited.
• Transmitting threatening, pornographic/obscene, or harassing messages is
prohibited.
• The viewing of pornographic/obscene materials is prohibited.
• Unsolicited e-mail which is unlawful or obscene should be removed from
account immediately.
• Use of the e-mail system for advertising, soliciting, or promoting non -city
activities and interests is prohibited.
• E-mail that is indiscriminately sent to all employees and is not city business
related is prohibited.
• Instances beyond incidental use could be treated as a violation of this policy
and dealt with in a disciplinary manner.
CONFIDENTI- E-mail must not be used to send confidential information. Even if it is erased, it
ALITY can be retrieved and read. The use of passwords does not guarantee
confidentiality. E-mail messages may be subject to the Public Information Act.
The City reserves the right to review, audit, intercept, and access and disclose all
messages created, received, or sent by e-mail.
RECORDS Employees are encouraged to read, act upon, and delete or copy e-mail within 10
RETENTION working days.
E-mail is not a medium appropriate for keeping the official record of any
departmental document. All incoming and outgoing e-mail messages required to
be retained by departmental records retention policies or the Texas Public
6-5
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
6.00 COMMUNICATION
Information Act will be converted to paper copy. The record copy of agency
documents should be kept in the hard copy file relating to the subject(s) it covers.
The initiator of an e-mail that is subject to the Public Information Act is
responsible for printing a hard copy of the message and treating it according to
standard records retention procedures. The initiator of an outgoing e-mail that is
subject to the Public Information Act or the recipient of such e-mail originating
from outside the City will make a paper copy of the correspondence and file
according to standard records retention procedures. When printing e-mail to hard
copy, the header file associated with the message will be saved in hard copy
along with the message.
POLICY An employee who violates this policy may be subject to disciplinary action up to
VIOLATION and including termination.
RELATED 6.02 Requests for Public Information
POLICIES 6.04 Computer Use and Software Applications Policy
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
6-6
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
6.00 COMMUNICATION
6.04 COMPUTER USE AND SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS
PURPOSE
POLICY
GUIDELINES
SOFTWARE &
ITC SUPPORT
To provide policies to ensure that publicly owned computer systems are
maintained in an optimum condition, reduce the need for Information Technology
and Communications (ITC) staff to correct problems created by software that
they do not know, and slow down the spiraling costs of computing due to
improper use of computers.
Computers are provided to be used for City business. It is understood that
occasionally personal use will be necessary; however, personal use of the
computer should not interfere with performance of job duties.
Non-exempt employees must obtain prior approval from their supervisor to use
the computer for personal business after work hours.
Employees wishing to install any software not previously approved by ITC must
obtain permission from ITC.
• Users will not intentionally seek information on, obtain copies of, or modify
files or data, belonging to other users unless permitted by such users
• Software used on all computers will be legal, licensed, copyrighted copies.
While copies may be used for preview, once the preview period is over, the
software must be removed.
• Request for information stored in computer systems will follow the normal
Public Information Act procedures. City Administration will be contacted for
assistance when such requests occur.
• Any changes to the networks will by made by authorized ITC staff.
• Accounts and passwords are not to be shared with any other person without
authorization. Users are expected to report any observations of attempted
security violations.
• Users will not connect to other agencies through a modem while they are
connected to the internet through the T-1 lines.
The Information Technology and Communications Division supports the following
"off the shelf" software programs listed below. "Supports" is defined as providing
staff assistance from the IT Department in solving problems created when using
particular software applications.
Software not listed below should be approved by the ITC before placing it on a
city -owned computer. This includes software specific to ones job so that ITC is
aware of potential problems that may occur. ITC should also be involved in the
discussion when purchasing products unique to a profession (e.g., certain CAD,
library, or police applications) that will be on the LAN and WAN to gauge the
ability of the existing citywide network system to support major software
applications running in a WAN environment.
IT department supports:
• E -Mail Programs: Microsoft Outlook
6-7
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
6.00 COMMUNICATION
• Browsers: Microsoft Explorer
• Virus programs: McAfee
• Microsoft: check with IT for Microsoft products supported beyond MS Office,
• Outlook, and Windows
IT department permits but does not support:
• Adobe software products
• Word Perfect
• GIS/CAD (ERSI's Atlas & ArcView; Bently's Mircostation; Autodesk's
Autocat)
• Quark Express
RELATED 6.03 Internal and External Electronic Communication
POLICIES
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
6-8
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
7.00 HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT (HSE)
SECTION PAGE
7.01 SAFE WORK ENVIRONMENT 7-2
7.02 EMPLOYEE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING PROGRAM 7-4
7.03 FITNESS FOR DUTY 7-5
7.04 SMOKE-FREE WORKPLACE 7-7
7.05 USE OF CITY VEHICLES 7-8
7.06 SAFE DRIVING AND ROAD SAFETY 7-12
7.07 REPORTING AND RECORDING ACCIDENTS, INCIDENTS AND 7-13
ENVIRONMENTAL EVENTS
7.08 REPORTING AND RECORDING INJURIES AND ILLNESSES 7-15
7.09 WORKER'S COMPENSATION 7-16
7.10 RETURN TO WORK AFTER A WORK-RELATED INJURY OR 7-19
ILLNESS
7.11 REPORTING AND ACCOMMODATING NON WORK-RELATED 7-21
INJURIES AND ILLNESSES
7.12 AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT 7-22
7.13 CONTRACTORS HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT 7-26
7.14 HSE OPERATIONAL MANUAL 7-27
7-1
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
7.00 HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT (HSE)
7.01 SAFE WORK ENVIRONMENT
PURPOSE
POLICY
To provide policy and procedure to ensure adequate and necessary efforts to
protect the safety, health and well being of City employees.
Causing or contributing to any unsafe and unhealthy working conditions and
creating a hostile work environment by presenting direct or indirect acts of
physical or verbal violence against employees, visitors, or other individuals on
City property, at service locations, or in the course of carrying out City business,
will not be tolerated.
No existing City policy, practice, or procedure should be interpreted to prohibit
decisions designed to prevent a threat from being carried out, a violent act from
occurring, or a life-threatening situation from developing.
CLARIFICATION Reporting Threats- Employees are responsible for notifying their supervisor,
Human Resources Department and/or Safety/Risk Manager of any threats which
they have witnessed, received, or have been told that another person has
witnessed or received. This includes behavior that could be interpreted as
threatening.
Threatening Behavior- Any person who makes a substantial threat, exhibits
threatening behavior, or engages in violent acts on City property shall be
removed from the premises as quickly as safety permits and shall remain off City
premises pending the outcome of an investigation.
Safe and Healthful Behavior- Employees are mutually responsible for the safety
and well being of one another.
Employees shall follow safe working practices, obey adopted health and safety
rules and regulations, and work in a way that maintains the highest safety and
health standards developed and sanctioned by the City.
Employees must report all hazardous or potentially hazardous situations and
unsafe working conditions to their immediate supervisor.
Accidents and Incidents- All accidents, incidents, near misses, unusual
occurrences, and environmental events shall be reported, recorded, and
investigated in accordance with the Department Accident Prevention Plan.
Firearms- No unlawful or unauthorized weapons will be displayed, carried, or
stored in any City facility, service location, or City vehicle, unless in the
authorized performance of duty.
No firearms will be discharged unless in the authorized performance of duty and
not in violation of other City, division, or department rules or regulations, City
ordinance or state or federal law.
7-2
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
7.00 HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT (HSE)
Disciplinary Action- Employees are required to exercise care and take
necessary precautions to maintain a safe and secure/peaceful work environment.
Violation of this policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and including
termination.
REFERENCE Department Accident Prevention Plan
RELATED 5.01 Professional Workplace Environment
POLICY 5.10 Workplace Violence
7.03 Fitness for Duty
7.07 Reporting Accidents and Incidents
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
7-3
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
7.00 HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT (HSE)
7.02 EMPLOYEE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING PROGRAM
PURPOSE
POLICY
GUIDELINES
RELATED
POLICIES
EFFECTIVE DATE
To provide guidelines to oversee the research, development, and
implementation of appropriate programs in support of employees health,
safety, and well being in accordance with the City HSE policy.
City Departments shall develop and implement programs and guidelines in
accordance with the City Policy, the applicable regulatory standards, and
related industry practices to achieve competency and satisfaction and to
ensure that all City employees are fit for duty.
City Departments shall take the initiative to conduct an assessment in order to
identify relevant employee needs.
Department Directors shall appoint individuals to serve on the Safety and Well -
Being Committee.
The Safety/Risk Manager and the Department representatives shall identify
required programs and establish goals and objectives.
The Safety/Risk Manager identifies available resources and provides guidance
throughout all phases of the program.
A plan must be submitted to the Department Director and to the Safety/Risk
Manager for review and approval.
7.01 Safe Work Environment
7.03 Fitness for Duty
November 9, 2000
7-4
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
7.00 HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT (HSE)
7.03 FITNESS FOR DUTY
PURPOSE To provide policy and procedures related to the use of alcohol or use of
controlled substances by City employees.
POLICY An employee shall not use, possess, sell or provide alcohol or controlled
substances to any other employee or to any person while such an employee is on
duty or on-call unless the employee is required as a part of his or her job to
legally possess alcohol or controlled substances.
An employee shall not report for duty, or remain on duty, when using or testing
positive for any controlled substance (except under instructions of a physician
who has advised the employee that the substance does not adversely affect the
employee's ability to perform his or her job safely).
Employees violating this policy will be subject to disciplinary actions, up to and
including termination.
GUIDELINES A supervisor having reasonable suspicion that an employee is using, possessing,
selling or providing alcohol or controlled substances to any other employee or to
any person while such an employee is on duty or on call shall not permit the
employee to perform or continue to perform any duties.
TRAINING
A supervisor having actual knowledge that an employee is under the influence, or
a reasonable suspicion that an employee is under the influence of alcohol, shall
not permit the employee to perform or continue to perform any duties.
A supervisor having a reasonable suspicion that an employee has used alcohol
within 4 hours prior to coming on duty shall not permit the employee to perform or
continue to perform any duties.
The supervisor may request that the employee report to Human Resources in
order to initiate the process for testing for alcohol and controlled substances.
Supervisor- must complete training on alcohol misuse and on controlled
substances use including how to determine whether reasonable suspicion exists
to require alcohol and controlled substances testing.
Employee- must receive training on the policies and procedures of the alcohol
and controlled substances testing program.
7-5
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
7.00 HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT (HSE)
TESTING
Pre-employment- Applicants who receive a conditional offer of employment are
required to take a pre-employment controlled substances screening test within 48
hours of receiving a job offer.
Post -Accident Process- Any employee involved in vehicle accidents while
driving a City vehicle or driving a private vehicle while on City business is
required to report immediately to the designated location for post -accident alcohol
and controlled substances testing. Employees must report to their supervisor any
accidents that occur while operating City -owned equipment.
Random- Employees who are required by their job description to hold a
Commercial Drivers license, police personnel, personnel who perform safety -
sensitive functions, and firefighting employees with a class B exemption are
subject to random testing for alcohol and controlled substances.
Reasonable Suspicion- Employees are subject to reasonable suspicion testing
for controlled substances and alcohol abuse. This will be based on objective
facts and/or observable on duty behavior sufficient to lead a trained, reasonably
prudent supervisor to suspect that an employee is under the influence of
controlled substances and/or alcohol so that an employee's ability to perform the
functions of the job is impaired or so that the ability to perform the job safely is
reduced.
Follow -Up: Supervisors will be notified of test results.
If an employee tests positive for alcohol or a controlled substance he or she will
be notified by Human Resources to contact the Medical Review Officer (MRO).
Human Resources will take the appropriate action based on the information
provide by the MRO and the employee.
RELATED 7.01 Safe Work Environment
POLICIES 7.02 Employee Safety and well-being
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
7-6
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
7.00 HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT (HSE)
7.04 SMOKE-FREE WORKPLACE
PURPOSE To state the City's position on smoking in the workplace.
POLICY The City of Round Rock is a smoke-free workplace. Employees and visitors are
prohibited from smoking inside City building and City vehicles.
Employees should refrain from smoking in public areas where non-smokers must
enter or exit to a City building (i.e. right outside a door of a City building).
RELATED 7.01 Safe Work Environment
POLICIES 7.02 Employee Safety and Well-being Program
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
7-7
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
7.00 HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT (HSE)
7.05 USE OF CITY VEHICLES
PURPOSE To provide guidelines related to safe vehicle operations and practices.
POLICY Employees are required to observe applicable state and local laws while
operating a City of Round Rock vehicle. Employees are expected to comply with
rules governing safe vehicle operations and practices in order to prevent
accidents, which can cause harm to people and property.
ASSIGNMENT City vehicles will be assigned to individual employees after a comprehensive
OF CITY assessment is made by the Department Director or a designee to determine if a
VEHICLES critical need exist.
City employees designated to operate a specific vehicle shall be evaluated based
on department provided services, special/critical needs, special skills, place of
residence and other service related factors.
Unusual occurrences not within the scope of this policy must be reported,
documented and investigated immediately. An investigation report must be
completed by employee and supervisors and forwarded to the Department
Director for further evaluation. A copy will be forwarded to Human Resources
Department for review.
Supervisors and designated employee must review City and Department policy
regarding expected performance and ethical practices prior to the assignment of
City vehicle.
Any deviation from the expected route must be reported, evaluated, and
authorized by Department Director. The Safety/Risk Manager shall be notified
promptly of any decision involving unusual circumstances;
Supervisors will ensure that this policy is reviewed and clearly understood by the
designated employee.
USE OF CITY City -owned vehicles shall only be used for City business, including travel between
VEHICLES an authorized employee's residence, work location, or storage location. Current
and previously designated employees will maintain the 35 miles of maximum
distance between Round Rock City limits and the point of residence. All new
assignments are authorized for 25 miles of maximum distance between Round
Rock City limits and the point of residence.
Personal use of City vehicles is generally prohibited except for the following:
• employees authorized to use a City vehicle to commute to and from the work
site;
• operating clearly marked and unmarked police and fire vehicles.
• employees on "on-call" status; or,
7-8
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
7.00 HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT (HSE)
TAX
REQUIREMENT
FOR USE OF
CITY VEHICLE
• other authorized employees designated by the department director.
Although personal usage of City vehicles is generally prohibited, employees are
encouraged to exercise discretion and good judgement when stopping for
personal business while commuting to and from workplace. Examples: stopping
while traveling through an authorized route at a location for rest and convenience;
exiting and deviating from the anticipated and authorized route to reach a
facility/location for personal business within a reasonably acceptable distance
(within 2 miles radius). The duration of the rest/stop, type of personal business,
and parking location are very critical factors in determining the validity and good
judgement. Any violations of these limitations will result in corrective action
and/or disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
With appropriate authorization, use of City vehicles to transport children or other
household members to and from school or work is allowed if the estimated
distance is within 6 miles radius from residence. Employees residing outside the
City limits are allowed to use the City vehicles for this purpose only if the
school/work point of destination is within the reasonable travel direction and route
to and from the work location.
Although personal usage is allowed in some conditions, travel in a City vehicle to
and from work may not be considered within the course and scope of the
employee duties for insurance coverage purposes. Under all circumstances, City
vehicles are covered under the auto physical damage coverage. All affected
employees must sign a statement that the operating procedures and clarifications
related to this policy have been explained to them.
Critical situations involving the need for personal usage of City vehicles may be
assessed accordingly, and authorized by the Department Director.
Each department is required to maintain a list of drivers who routinely take a City
vehicle home and to submit a copy of the list to the Human Resources
Department.
If an employee is in doubt about a circumstance related to his or her use of a City
vehicle or any other piece of equipment, supplies, tool, or materials purchased
with taxpayer funds, the employee must check with his or her supervisor before
proceeding. Violations of any of the provisions related to the use of City vehicle
will result in disciplinary actions, up to and including termination and possible
prosecution.
The federal tax code requires employers who allow employees to use vehicles for
personal use, including commuting to and from work, to include the fringe benefit
value of that use as income. Treating the fringe benefit value of that use as
income makes the income subject to federal withholding and social security
taxes. The value of a commute is computed at $3.00 per day. It is the employee's
responsibility to fill out the Vehicle Usage Monthly Report and turn it in to their
supervisor for proper reporting.
However, some vehicles and their use are classified as "qualified non -personal
7-9
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
7.00 HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT (HSE)
MAINTENANCE
VEHICLES
TRANSPORTIN
G OF
UNAUTHORIZE
D PERSONS
EMPLOYEES
WHO DRIVE
PERSONAL
CARS ON CITY
BUSINESS
DRIVING
RECORD
VERIFICATION
use," causing 100% of the value of that use to be excluded from the employee's
income. Examples of qualified non -personal use vehicles follow:
• Clearly Marked Police and Fire Vehicles- The City must prohibit any
personal use (other than commuting) of the vehicle outside the limit of the
police officer's arrest powers or the firefighter's obligation to respond to an
emergency.
• Unmarked Law Enforcement Vehicles- Personal use must be authorized
and must be necessary to help enforce the law, such as being able to report
directly from home to a stakeout or to an emergency. Use of an unmarked
vehicle for vacation or recreation trips cannot qualify as an authorized use.
• Passenger Buses Used as Such with a capacity of at Least 20
Passengers.
• Utility Vehicles- Pickup trucks or vans are not considered qualified non -
personal use vehicles unless they have been clearly marked and specially
modified with items such as light bars or permanent, side -mounted utility
consoles or, in the case of vans, permanently mounted shelving taking up the
entire cargo area. Employees using these vehicles must be using the vehicle
for a specific duration and intent -such as being on-call or in anticipation of a
likely emergency. An employee living in Austin and taking a truck (outfitted
with light bars) home is subject to tax withholding unless the employee was
specifically assigned to on-call status. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
may apply a more stringent interpretation.
Employees who operate City vehicles are responsible for maintaining weekly
maintenance logs and for reporting any defect(s) in the mechanical equipment to
the City Shop.
When on-call or making a night emergency call, employee must not transport
individuals that are not assisting in or responding to the emergency. The
Department Director shall approve transportation of normally unauthorized
individuals in advance in writing. A copy of the signed authorization must be
forwarded to the Human Resources Department.
Employees who drive personal cars on City business must provide proof of the
employee's personally purchased liability insurance. The liability insurance policy
amounts must be in accordance with state statutes.
Candidates applying for positions that require driving of City
complete and sign DPS form DR -1, Application for Copy of
authorizing Human Resources to obtain a copy of the record.
Driving records for current employees who have driving duties will
reviewed twice a year or every other year in the same manner.
vehicles must
Driver Record
be verified and
CITATIONS The time frame and/or frequency of moving violation convictions, such as driving
7-10
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
7.00 HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT (HSE)
FOR MOVING while intoxicated, hit and run, manslaughter involving the use of a motor vehicle,
VIOLATIONS or any other felony involving operation of a motor vehicle, are grounds to
withdraw a conditional offer of employment.
Employees who drive a City -owned vehicle or who drive their own vehicles on
City business must report moving violation convictions to their supervisors. The
supervisor must report the information to Human Resources. These violations
may result in removal/release from a driving position/duty and/or disciplinary
action up to and including termination.
ACCIDENTS The appropriate supervisor and a Police Department representative will
AND NON- investigate each motor vehicle incident involving a City vehicle. A written report
FELONY must be submitted to the department director and to the Safety/ Risk Manager. If
VIOLATIONS a citation is issued to an employee while operating a City Vehicle, the employee
may be required to attend a certified defensive driving course. The employee will
be required to pay for the defensive driving course as well as the citation, if
applicable.
The supervisor will discuss the incident with the Safety/Risk Manger and will
recommend appropriate action.
Traffic violations, accidents, or other evidence of improper conduct involving the
operation of motor vehicles will result in disciplinary action up to and including
termination.
RELATED 5.10 Use and Care of City Property
POLICIES 7.06 Safe Driving and Road safety
7.07 Reporting and Recording Accidents and Incidents
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
7-11
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
7.00 HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT (HSE)
7.06 SAFE DRIVING AND ROAD SAFETY
PURPOSE To provide a policy statement related to safe driving and road safety.
POLICY
All designated City drivers and mobile equipment operators must observe
applicable local, state, and federal laws while operating a City vehicle or
equipment to ensure compliance and to prevent accidents, which can cause
harm and damage to people and property.
The City is committed to ensuring that City drivers and mobile equipment
operators are fit for the course and scope of their driving duties. It is also
committed to ensuring that all vehicles and mobile equipment are maintained
and used appropriately to the highest standards, and that work practices are so
designed to ensure the safety of all operators, pedestrians, and other affected
individuals and property.
Supervisors must review in detail the Operating Procedures related to this policy
with new employees prior to allowing the employee to operate any City vehicle
and/or equipment. New employees operating City vehicles and/or equipment
must sign a statement that the Operating Procedures related to this policy have
been provided to them. These procedures can be found in the following:
• Guidelines for Operating a City Vehicle
• General Equipment Safety Guidelines
• Earthmoving Equipment Use
• Lifting and Hauling Equipment
The review and sign off must take place prior to the employee operating City
vehicles and/or equipment. Supervisors who fail to review the procedures in
detail are subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
RELATED 7.01 Safe Work Environment
POLICIES 7.03 Fitness for Duty
7.05 Use of City Vehicles
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
7-12
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
7.00 HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT (HSE)
7.07 REPORTING AND RECORDING ACCIDENTS, INCIDENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL EVENTS
PURPOSE To establish clear guidelines for reporting, recording, and investigating accidents,
incidents, and environmental events.
POLICY
Employees must report all accidents, incidents, unusual occurrences, near
misses, and environmental events to the immediate supervisor and to the
Safety/Risk Manager. This policy shall be carried out in accordance with the
Department Accident Prevention Plan.
GUIDELINES Employees must report all workplace incidents to the immediate supervisor.
Immediate supervisors will communicate with the involved employee(s) and
document the critical details to identify the cause factors.
The supervisor must inform the Department Director of the incident.
The supervisor will promptly contact the Safety/Risk Manager for immediate
support and guidance, and to ensure a proper and thorough incident investigation
process.
The supervisor and the employee must complete and sign the Incident Report
form and forward it to the Safety/Risk Manager for review and further actions.
The Safety/Risk Manager may become involved in investigating the incident at
the scene.
The Safety/Risk Manager will make a recommendation and forward a copy to the
supervisor for review and internal communication purposes.
The Safety/Risk Manager will initiate a Claim Notice with the insurance carrier.
Further inquiries regarding the accident, damaged equipment, affected private
property, witness statement, and other relevant information may take place.
All accidents involving moving and/or parked City vehicles must be reported to
the Police Department. A police report is required. Involved drivers must report
immediately, accompanied by their supervisor or a designated employee, to the
Human Resources Department to complete the required form for drug and
alcohol testing. The affected driver will be relieved from operating City vehicles
and mobile equipment until further notice.
All unusual occurrences involving theft, burglary, harm or damages caused by
willful act, violent behavior, and similar incidents must be reported to the Police
department for investigation. The completion of an Incident Report Form is
required.
Health, Safety, and Environment Coordinators will provide assistance during the
reporting, recording, and investigation process. Also, they may be asked to join
the Safety/Risk Manager at the scene for assistance.
Division Managers maintain a record of accidents and incidents for analysis and
7-13
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
7.00 HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT (HSE)
audit purposes in accordance with the Department Accident Prevention Pian.
REFERENCE Department Accident Prevention Plan.
RELATED 7.01 Safe Work Environment
POLICIES 7.03 Fitness for Duty
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
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HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
7.00 HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT (HSE)
7.08 REPORTING AND RECORDING INJURIES AND ILLNESSES
PURPOSE To establish guidelines for the process of reporting and recording injuries,
illnesses, and exposures.
POLICY
All work-related injuries, illnesses, and exposures with potential health effects
must be reported promptly to the immediate supervisor and to the Safety/Risk
Manager. The information must be in accordance with the City's HSE Policy, and
in compliance with the applicable laws and standards.
GUIDELINES All injuries, illnesses, and exposures involving City employees must be reported
to the Safety/Risk Manager immediately.
Supervisors must report all injuries and illnesses to their Department Directors as
soon as possible.
Supervisors will ensure that the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are called, if
necessary.
Supervisors must provide assistance or accompany the injured employee for
immediate medical attention if needed.
The Human Resources Department will ensure that the First Report of Injury
(TVVCC-1) is completed and forwarded to the insurance carrier.
Supervisors must ensure that the Incident Report form is completed and
forwarded to the Safety/Risk Manager.
Department Health, Safety, and Environment Coordinators may be requested to
provide assistance.
Records of injuries, illnesses and exposures are maintained at a centralized
location in accordance with the Record Keeping Component of the Department
Accident Prevention Plan.
REFERENCE Department Accident Prevention Plan
RELATED 7.01 Safe Work Environment
POLICIES 7.07 Reporting and Recording Accidents and Incidents
7.09 Workers' Compensation
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
7-15
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
7.00 HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT (HSE)
7.09 WORKER'S COMPENSATION
PURPOSE
POLICY
To provide guidelines for establishing and filing workers' compensation claims
when a City employee sustains an injury or illness during the course and scope
of assigned duties.
In the event of an occupational injury or illness due to a work-related incident,
the City makes every effort to provide immediate assistance to the affected
employee in accordance with the Texas Workers' Compensation Commission
Rules on the injured worker rights and responsibilities.
GUIDELINES City employees must report any work-related injury, illness, and exposure to the
immediate supervisor as soon as the incident occurs.
INJURED
WORKER
RIGHTS
The supervisor must immediately report the injury or illness to the Safety/Risk
Manager for guidance and to initiate further measures. Assistance for
immediate medical attention must be provided to the injured worker as
appropriate.
The supervisor must conduct an initial investigation of the incident and then
complete an Incident Report form with the affected worker.
The Safety/Risk Manager and the Department representative will conduct further
investigations or inquiries in accordance with the Department Accident
Prevention Plan.
The completed and signed Incident Report form, with relevant statements and
reports, must be forwarded immediately to the Human Resources Department in
order to complete and submit the Employer's First Report of Injury or Illness
form (TWCC-1).
The completed form TWCC-1 is forwarded by Human Resources Department to
the designated insurance carrier for medical care authorization, further eligibility
evaluation and determination, and to satisfy the reporting requirement as
established by Texas Workers' Compensation Commission (TWCC).
The designated insurance carrier notifies TWCC and the injured worker
(claimant) of actions taken, reasons for such actions, and/or any events affecting
the claim and/or benefits.
An injured City worker may have the right to receive benefits.
An injured City worker has the right to:
• receive reasonable and necessary medical care;
• the initial choice of doctor;
• receive assistance from appropriate, qualified TWCC staff; and
7-16
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
7.00 HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT (HSE)
• confidentiality within the scope of proper case management and legal
constraints.
INJURED An injured City worker has the responsibility to:
WORKER
RESPONSIBI- • report to the immediate supervisor all work-related injuries and illnesses;
LITIES • inform TWCC and the insurance carrier of any employment, employer, or
income changes;
• tell the treating physician how the worker was injured and if the worker
believes the injury may be work-related;
• inform TWCC and the insurance carrier how to contact him or her.
CITY'S RIGHTS The City has the right to:
• contest the compensability of a claim;
• be informed by the insurance carrier of any dispute resolutions or court
proceedings;
• attend any dispute resolution proceeding related to a claim;
• present any relevant evidence about a disputed issue;
• report suspected workers' compensation fraud to TWCC and the insurance
carrier.
CITY'S The City has the responsibility to:
RESPONSIBI-
LITIES • report work-related injuries and illnesses including supplemental reports;
• report an injured worker's wages and other compensation to the insurance
carrier;
• report any changes in an injured worker's pay or employment;
• keep a record of work-related injuries, illnesses, and fatalities;
• provide workers with notice of coverage and responsibilities;
• develop and implement a policy to eliminate drug abuse in the workplace.
PROHIBITED It is a violation of City policy, procedures and state and federal law for any
ACTIONS employee, supervisor, or manager of the City to discharge or in any other
manner discriminate against an employee of this City because the employee:
• files a workers' compensation claim in good faith;
• hires a lawyer to represent the employee in a workers' compensation claim;
• institutes or causes to be instituted in good faith a proceeding under the
Texas Workers' Compensation Act; or
• testifies or is about to testify in a proceeding under the Texas Workers'
Compensation Act.
FRAUDULENT Evidence and information indicating that a claim was submitted for workers'
CLAIMS compensation leave, benefits, and medical treatment, and was established
through fraudulent acts or deceptive practices, shall be investigated by the City
and the insurance carrier. Results of investigations will be evaluated and
actions will be taken in accordance with TWCC Rules on Compliance and
Practices.
7-17
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
7.00 HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT (HSE)
OLD INJURIES City employees must report any signs of complications that may be related to a
previously reported and managed work-related injury or illness. The immediate
supervisor must consult with the Safety/Risk Manager for further evaluation and
determination. A new Incident Report Form is required.
RELATED 2.00 Compensation and Salary Administration
POLICIES 7.07 Reporting and Recording Injuries and Illnesses
7.10 Return to Work After a Work -Related injury or Illness
7.12 Americans with Disabilities Act
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
7-18
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
7.00 HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT (HSE)
7.10 RETURN TO WORK AFTER RELATED INJURY OR ILLNESS
PURPOSE
POLICY
GUIDELINES
To provide clear expectations and guidance when an injured worker is
released back to work by the treating physician with duty restrictions and/or
temporary modifications.
If a City employee sustains a work-related injury or illness and is released
back to work by the treating physician to perform restricted duties, the
employee is assigned to modified duties suitable to his or her physical ability
and condition.
Supervisors must provide the injured worker with a statement of his or her
essential job functions. The injured employee must share the essential job
functions with the treating physician for evaluation and determination.
A release authorization and clarification of any restrictions is needed from the
treating physician with respect to employee work restrictions and essential job
functions. The Injured employee must provide the supervisor and the
Safety/Risk Manager with the statement/document of release provided by the
treating physician.
The Safety/Risk Manager and the supervisor will review and evaluate the
provided release authorization for appropriate actions and assignments.
The Human Resources Department will forward a Supplemental Report of
Injury to the insurance carrier indicating any changes in the injured employee's
duty status.
The injured and released employee must comply with the recommendations of
the treating physician, and the work plan as established by the Safety/ Risk
Manager and the employee's immediate supervisor in support of the intent and
benefit of restricted duty status.
If the injured employee refuses to accept the reasonably modified duties, and
willingly fails to comply with the plan, the employee will be counseled by the
Human Resources Department for further case management and possible
disciplinary action up to and including termination.
The Safety/ Risk Manager provides continuous case monitoring and support to
ensure the safety and well being of the injured worker.
PROHIBITED This policy and procedures shall not be applied to any situation or
ACTIONS circumstances in a manner that discriminates on the basis of race, color, sex,
national origin, disability or age.
OFF THE JOB Off the job injuries, illnesses, and exposures with potential health effects,
INJURY OR which may impact the employee's ability to perform the essential job functions
ILLNESS must be reported to the immediate supervisor. The immediate supervisor and
7-19
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
7.00 HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT (HSE)
the affected employee must consult with the Safety/Risk Manager for further
guidance and proper case management.
RELATED 7.02 Employee Safety and Well-being Program
POLICIES 7.09 Workers' Compensation
7.11 Reporting Non Work -Related Injuries and Illnesses
7.12 Americans with Disabilities Act
EFFECTIVE DATE November 9, 2000
7-20
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
7.00 HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT (HSE)
7.11 REPORTING AND ACCOMMODATING NON WORK-RELATED INJURIES AND ILLNESSES
PURPOSE
POLICY
To establish guidelines for reporting non -work related injuries and illnesses which
may cause an impact on work activities, to ensure employee safety and well
being during operations, and prevent any further escalation of undesirable
events.
City employees must report all serious injuries, illnesses, and exposures occurred
away from work, even if the event did not occur during the performance of
activities related to the course and scope of their duties.
GUIDELINES City employees must report off duty injuries and illnesses to the immediate
supervisor.
Supervisors must evaluate the reported condition in terms of the employee's
expected functions, and write a brief statement regarding the matter.
The supervisor communicates with the Safety/Risk Manager for further guidance.
Employees must submit a medical report/statement signed by the treating
physician in order to verify and clarify any duty recommendations and job
restrictions, and/or recommendations for days of sick leave.
The Safety/Risk Manager and the supervisor monitor the progress of the
employee's condition and provide guidance and assistance as appropriate.
The Safety/Risk Manager may communicate verbally and in writing with the
treating physician on current and future administrative concerns which may
impact the employee's duties and Department functions.
Employees with a medical statement recommending three or more consecutive
sick leave days may be eligible for family and medical leave.
RELATED 2.00 Compensation and Salary Administration
POLICIES 4.05 Sick Leave
4.06 Family and Medical Leave
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
7-21
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
7.00 HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT (HSE)
7.12 AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (`ADA")
PURPOSE
POLICY
AMERICANS
WITH
DISABILITIES
ACT (ADA)
CLARIFICATION
DEFINITIONS
To provide a plan to ensure that the City has established a clear and
comprehensive guideline to prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability.
Under no circumstances is this, policy manual to be construed to confer rights
greater than those granted by the ADA.
The City of Round Rock does not discriminate on the basis of disability in
employment or in the provision of services, programs, or activities, in accordance
with the ADA.
The ADA is a Federal Statute designed to remove barriers preventing qualified,
disabled individuals from enjoying the same employment opportunities available
to individuals without disabilities.
The employment practices of the City, as a local entity, are covered by Title II of
the ADA, and this standard is used for determining whether employment
discrimination has occurred.
The ADA prohibits discrimination in all employment practices, including job
application procedures, hiring, termination, advancement, compensation, training,
and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. Also, it applies to
recruitment, advertising, tenure, layoff, fringe benefits, and all other employment-
related activities.
Disability- a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more
of the major life activities of such individual; has a record of such impairment; or
is regarded as having such impairment.
Impairment- a physiological disorder affecting one or more of a number of body
systems or a mental or psychological disorder.
Reasonable Accommodations- the modification or an adjustment to a job or the
work environment that will enable a qualified applicant or employee with a
disability to perform essential job functions, or to have equal opportunity in the
employment process.
Undue Hardship- extensive difficulty or expense in relation to the size of the
entity, the resources available, and the nature of activities or program.
Accommodations that impose undue hardship would be unduly costly, extensive,
substantial, disruptive, or would fundamentally alter the nature or operation of the
business or program.
The ADA permits employers to establish qualification standards that will exclude
individuals who pose a direct threat to the health and safety of the individual or of
others, if that risk cannot be lowered to an acceptable level by reasonable
accommodations.
7-22
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
7.00 HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT (HSE)
ADA
COORDINATOR
REQUESTS FOR
REASONABLE
ACCOMMODA-
TIONS
REVIEW OF
REQUEST
The Safety/Risk Manager serves as the City's designated ADA Coordinator. The
responsibilities for this role include:
• Providing assistance on clarification and guidance to City departments;
• Providing clarification and guidance on the City's implementation of the act;
• Overseeing the handling of employee requests for reasonable
accommodations at a department level ;
• Communicating with the involved and affected employee;
• Tracking and monitoring all ADA -related activities in the City;
• Communicating with the Human Resources Director and affected department
directors on related issues; and
• Maintaining and ensuring confidentiality of information and related
documentation.
An employee with a disability (ies) requesting a responsible accommodation must
summit the request to his or her supervisor or to the Safety/Risk Manager.
Immediate supervisors must report the situation, with adequate and relevant
background documentation, to the ADA Coordinator for review and further
assistance;
The ADA Coordinator meets with the involved employee to obtain additional
background information and to clarify relevant areas.
A request for reasonable accommodation is evaluated on a case- by -case basis.
The ADA coordinator and the supervisor must consider the circumstances of the
employee's situation. However, all reasonable accommodations must:
• Be job related;
• Be effective enough to overcome the individual's physical or mental
limitation;
• Enable the individual to perform the essential functions of the job; and
• Not impose any undue hardship on the City's operations and services.
Job Function Analysis is the key mechanism for defining the mental, physical,
and environmental demands of the position.
The ADA Coordinator and appropriate staff evaluates the situation and provides
the affected department with a plan for guidance, further evaluation, and final
expert determination.
Affected employee will be notified verbally and in writing within 15 calendar days
when a determination has been made regarding the request for reasonable
accommodations.
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HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
7.00 HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT (HSE)
APPEAL
PROCESS
If the requesting employee qualifies, the immediate supervisor coordinates with
the ADA Coordinator and the employee to implement the accommodations as
soon as possible. Reasonable accommodation may require additional resources,
and/or equipment.
If the employee is not satisfied with the determination, the employee may appeal
to the Human Resources Director.
PROHIBITED The ADA prohibits discrimination based on the knowledge of an employee or
ACTIONS applicant's relationship or association with an individual with a disability. This
known relationship or association may be a family member or any social or
business relationship or association.
It is a violation of this policy, and state/or federal law for any employee,
supervisor, or manager of the City to:
• Discriminate on the basis of disability against an employee who is a qualified
individual with a disability under ADA in regard to:
• job assignments, job classifications, organizational structures, position
description, lines of progression and seniority lists;
• leaves of absences, sick leave, or any other leave;
• upgrading, promotion, award of tenure, demotion, transfer, layoff,
termination, right of return from layoff, and rehiring;
• rates of pay or any other form of compensation, changes in
compensation, and fringe benefits available;
• selection and financial support for training; or
• social and recreational activities.
• Limit, segregate, or classify a job applicant or employee in a way that
adversely affects his or her employment opportunities or status on the basis
of disability.
• Require a medical examination of an employee who is disabled as defined
under ADA unless the medical examination is job-related and consistent with
business necessity.
• Make inquiries as to whether an employee is an individual with a disability or
as to the nature or severity of such disability, unless such inquiry is job-
related and consistent with business necessity.
CONFIDENTIA- The Human Resources Department ensures that all related ADA documentation
LITY and information remains confidential and separate from the individual personnel
file. This includes any medical statements from treating physicians, leave forms,
or any other information that pertains to the medical condition or history of an
employee.
7-24
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
7.00 HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT (HSE)
RELATED 7.02 Employee safety and Well-being Program
POLICIES 7.03 Fitness for Duty
7.10 Return to work
7.12 Americans with Disabilities
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
7.00 HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT (HSE)
7.13 CONTRACTORS HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT
PURPOSE
POLICY
To raise the level of contractor safety, health, and environmental awareness, in
order to minimize potential unsafe acts and conditions that may produce
undesirable results.
Contractors and involved City departments shall accept the mutual responsibility
for safety, health, and the environment throughout all phases of anticipated
activities and operations.
RELATED 7.01 Safe Work Environment
POLICIES
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
7-26
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
7.00 HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT (HSE)
7.14 HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT (HSE) OPERATIONAL MANUAL
PURPOSE To provide employees with general instructions and industry specific guidelines
and standard acceptable practices on safety, health, and environmental matters.
POLICY Each department shall develop and maintain an HSE Manual to include general
and specific guidelines and standard acceptable practices.
The Safety/Risk Manager works with all departments on HSE practices and
provides technical support and assistance.
RELATED 7.01 Safe Work Environment
POLICIES 7.02 Employee Safety and Well-being Program
7.07 Safe Driving and Road Safety
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
7-27
No Text
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
8.00 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
SECTION PAGE
8.01 EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT
8.02 TRAINING
8.03 PROMOTIONS
8.04 ADMINISTRATIVE TRANSFERS
8.05 TUITION ASSISTANCE PAYMENT / REIMBURSEMENT
8.06 PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT PROCESS
8.07 TRAVEL
8-1
8-2
8-3
8-4
8-5
8-6
8-9
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HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
8.00 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
8.01 EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT
PURPOSE To provide exceptional customer service by maintaining a high standard of service
through competent, well-trained employees.
POLICY City employees and their supervisors are responsible for the employee's
professional development.
RESPONSIBI- Individual Employee - Each employee is accountable for his or her job
LITY performance. Employees should request training in the areas that need
improvement.
Immediate Supervisor - The immediate supervisor is responsible for assisting in
the development of his or her employees. At a minimum, employees should be
able to perform their essential job duties and consistently exhibit behavior which is
aligned with the City's values statement. Supervisors should ensure their
employees are well trained to perform their job duties and deliver exceptional
customer service.
RELATED 8.02 Travel Policy
POLICIES
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
8-2
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
8.00 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
8.02 TRAINING
PURPOSE To promote a high standard of performance and service through the
empowerment of competent, well-trained employees.
POLICY
The City will provide appropriate training for City employees. All training must be
directed toward skill development, enrichment, and/or performance improvement.
Such training is recognized to be in the best interests of the employee and the
City.
Human Resources is responsible for coordinating and sponsoring City-wide
training for areas of development deemed necessary for all or a large portion of
City employees.
Each Department can establish training for their specific needs.
TYPES OF • In -Service Training sponsored and/or conducted by the City.
TRAINING • External Training, both job-related and elective, conducted by agencies or
organizations other than the City. Job-related external training must be
directly related to improving the employee's job performance; the
employee's attendance and participation is required by the City. Elective
external training may be taken by the employee to improve eligibility for
career advancement, but is not required by the City.
EXPENSES
• Required job-related external training must have prior written approval of
the Division Manager and Department Director; sufficient funds must be
available in the department's budget to cover the employee's expenses.
Expenses incurred by the employee during job-related out -service training,
including tuition, travel, meals, and lodging will be reimbursed at established
rates when such training is required by the City. The employee will receive
his/her regular salary while attending such training.
• Elective external training, including tuition, travel, meals, and lodging may
be reimbursed within budgetary limits provided that prior written approval of
the Division Manager and Department Director has been secured.
RELATED 8.07 Travel Policy
POLICIES
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
8-3
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
8.00 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
8.03 PROMOTIONS
PURPOSE To support the basic organization building process of promoting qualified
employees to positions of greater responsibility and recognition.
POLICY
When a position vacancy occurs, opportunities to promote from within may be
explored consistent with the goal of filling positions with the most capable
individual available.
GUIDELINES Job posting, employee performance appraisals and career counseling records will
provide the primary input to the internal selection process.
At times, external -recruiting sources will be used simultaneously with the internal
search.
RELATED 2.02 Salary Administration
POLICIES
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
8-4
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
8.00 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
8.04'ADMINISTRATIVE TRANSFERS
PURPOSE To encourage teamwork among City departments to achieve our common goals.
POLICY
A transfer is the reassignment of an employee from one position to another. A
transfer not involving promotion or demotion may be effected at any time for
administrative convenience. Transfers may be made administratively or in
conjunction with an announced selection process.
RELATED 2.02 Salary Administration
POLICIES
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
8-5
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
8.00 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
8.05 TUITION ASSISTANCE/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM
PURPOSE To provide guidelines for the City's tuition assistance/reimbursement program.
POLICY
The Tuition Assistance/Reimbursement Program is intended to provide financial
assistance to employees who are seeking education for career development and
who are taking for -credit courses at degree- or certificate -granting institutions.
The Tuition Assistance Payment / Reimbursement Program is not intended to
provide assistance for staff development training or continuing professional
education. While these are important functions that may support career
development, these training activities are viewed as the responsibility of the
employing department, the individual, or both.
The Human Resources Department administers the program for all City
employees.
The City will pay/reimburse up to $2,500 per year for tuition and relevant fees for
approved courses.
ELIGIBILITY Course Requirements
• Courses must be offered at a school or institution that is approved by the
Texas Education Agency (TEA) or nationally recognized boards of
accreditation.
• Courses must be offered on a for -grade basis. The student may elect to take
the course "pass/fail" as long as the course may be taken for a grade.
• The employee must complete the course with at least a grade of "C" for
undergraduate courses and at least a "B" for graduate courses (or "pass" if
taken as pass/fail).
Employee Requirements
• Regular employees budgeted for twenty (20) hours or more and who have
successfully completed their introductory period of six months with the City
prior to the beginning of the semester for which they are enrolling are eligible
for tuition assistance/reimbursement.
• No employee under disciplinary probation or suspension at the time of
application will be eligible.
• Regular employees in budgeted positions of at least thirty (30) hours per week
are eligible for one hundred percent (100%) of annual maximum
reimbursement.
• Regular employees in positions budgeted for twenty to twenty-nine (20 — 29)
hours per week are eligible for sixty percent (60%) of annual maximum
reimbursement.
• Employees in positions budgeted for fewer than twenty (20) hours per week
are ineligible for tuition reimbursement.
8-6
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
8.00 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
TERMS The following terms apply to the City's Tuition Assistance/Reimbursement
Program:
• Employees may receive payment / reimbursement for all tuition and required,
non-refundable fees for approved courses. Costs relative to books will be
borne by the employee.
• Funds will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis depending on the
fiscal year funding available.
• Employees who receive the Tuition Assistance payment prior to completion of
the course and who do not earn at least a grade of "C" for undergraduate
courses and at least a "B" for graduate courses (or "pass" if taken as pass/fail)
will be required to refund the city for all Tuition Assistance payments received.
• With each Tuition Assistance Payment / Reimbursement comes a two-year
service requirement that begins on the date of each payment / reimbursement.
This service requirement must be fulfilled in order to erase each payment /
reimbursement "debt". This includes an agreement that any debt not removed
by two years of service shall be repaid at one hundred percent (100%).
• Employees required to refund any or all of their Tuition Assistance Payment /
reimbursement may do so either by writing a check to the City of Round Rock
or by having the refund deducted from their paycheck.
SUBMITTING The following steps should be followed to submit an application for tuition
APPLICATIONS assistance/reimbursement :
AND RECEIPTS
• Applications for tuition assistance or reimbursement may be obtained from
department directors or their designates, as well as the Human Resources
Department.
• Applications should be given to the employee's supervisor for review and
approval. The supervisor is responsible for routing the application for
departmental approval, as necessary. Once necessary approval is obtained,
the employee sends the application to the Human Resources Department prior
to the announced deadline.
• Applications must be submitted to the Human Resources Department by the
last Friday of September (for fall semester courses), the last Friday in January
(for spring semester courses), and the last Friday in June (for summer
semester courses). Applications for courses not offered on a semester basis
must be submitted prior to the start of the course.
• The Human Resources Department will notify the employee of approval or
denial of the application within the (10) working days of receipt.
• In certain cases, eligible employees may receive the Tuition Assistance
Payment prior to completion of the course.
• For tuition reimbursement, a final grade report and a paid free receipt which
shows the number of hours enrolled, title courses, and total tuition/fees paid
must be received by the Human Resources Department no later than six
weeks after course completion. Upon receipt of the grade report and fee
receipt, the Human Resources Department will process the request for
reimbursement.
8-7
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
8.00 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
SCHEDULING Whenever possible, classes should be scheduled during non -working hours. If a
OF CLASSES course is available only during regular working hours, the supervisor and manager
of the employee are encouraged to allow flexible scheduling of work to allow
completion of the employee's normally scheduled work hours per week. Final
approval on flexible scheduling will be at the discretion of the department head.
SPECIAL Certain specific limitations apply to the City's Tuition Assistance/Reimbursement
LIMITATIONS Program.
• Employees who leave City service, except for involuntary military assignment,
prior to completing a course or prior to completing two years of service will
have to reimburse the City for tuition assistance/reimbursement payments
received.
• Employees on layoff from a regular position who have applied for tuition
assistance/reimbursement and have submitted the appropriate applications,
fee receipts, and grades — and who have adhered to the time limits established
— will receive their reimbursement if they are recalled for employment.
Encumbrances, however, will be canceled after a one-year period.
• Costs of living expenses, book, equipment, materials, travel, parking, and non -
required fees are not reimbursable.
• For employees receiving tuition reimbursement from the Veterans
Administration, scholarships, or any other source, tuition assistance/
reimbursement applies only to the net cost to the individual after deducting the
amount of such outside aid.
• Courses that provide the employee with job skills expected or required for their
current job will not be paid for or reimbursed.
• Conferences, seminars, annual meetings, certification exams, and certification
courses offered without academic credit on a for -grade basis are excluded.
GED TESTING If an employee wishes to obtain a GED, the City will pay the base fee and also
allow a paid day off to take the test. This will be limited to two tests per person.
RELATED
POLICIES
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
8-8
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
8.00 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
8.06 PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT PROCESS (PMP)
PURPOSE To provide guidelines for the administration of the City's PMP program.
POLICY
The City of Round Rock will provide a uniform and equitable process of
communicating to employees the performance expectations, their actual
achievements, and recommendations for improving performance. Performance
Management Processes are critical because employees need to know areas in
which they are having success as well as areas where they should improve to
meet performance standards and/or career enhancement goals.
Regular status employees' performance will be evaluated twice a year. The
review conducted at the end of the appraisal period will serve as the basis for any
performance based salary increase.
Temporary employees hired for a period of Tess than six (6) months are not
required to be evaluated.
PERFORMANCE The performance management process is used to set expectations, document
MANAGEMENT performance and provide periodic feedback on performance, and to identify areas
PROCESS where improvement is needed.
The performance management cycle includes the following activities:
Supervisor and employee discuss Competencies, identify Key Results Areas
(KRAs), and develop performance standards for the KRAs. A performance
standard is a statement of the results that will exist when job performance meets
supervisor's expectations. Performance standards provide a method of
measuring performance instead of measuring people.
During the appraisal period, the supervisor and employee must have periodic
discussions to review and document the employee's progress toward achieving
the performance standards.
Mid -year and at the end of the appraisal period, the employee is given an
opportunity to assess his or her own performance and achievement during the
appraisal period, and to identify developmental needs. The employee's
comments provide information that may be relevant to the reviewing supervisor.
The employee's input also provides the basis for discussion between the
supervisor and employee regarding future training and career development
opportunities.
The supervisor appraises the employee's performance, documents actual
achievements, assesses the employee's knowledge and skills, meets with the
employee to review the supervisor's assessment, and provides input into the
employee's developmental plan.
8-9
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
8.00 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Performance management results from the interrelationship of four separate
elements:
• the performance plan;
• the performance appraisal;
• the career enhancement feedback, developmental plan; and
• the performance review conference.
The performance plan:
• identifies the competencies and provides examples of descriptors of behavior
associated with each rating;
• provides a lists of the KRA and the associated standards of performance;
• documents the communication of performance expectations between
employees and supervisors; and
• serves as a management tool for ensuring that overall organizational goals
and objectives are addressed.
The performance appraisal provides:
• documentation of an employee's achievements toward meeting performance
standards and expectations related to competencies; and
• a management tool for assessment of individual and organizational
productivity.
The development plan:
• identifies training and developmental needs to enhance or improve future
performance; and
• identifies training and developmental needs to enhance career opportunities
for the employee.
The performance review conference provides an opportunity for discussion
between the employee and supervisor regarding overall performance,
developmental needs and future performance plans.
TYPES OF There are several types of performance reviews:
PERFOR-
MANCE NEW EMPLOYEE REVIEW
REVIEWS New employees should meet with their supervisor to develop a performance plan
within the first thirty (30) days of initial employment. Supervisors must inform new
employees during a performance plan conference that a progress conference will
be conducted after three (3) months.
Five (5) months following their employment, new employees will receive a
performance review. If the overall performance appraisal rating is documented as
Exceeds Expectations or Meets Expectations, the supervisor should recommend
the employee for continued employment.
8-10
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
8.00 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
If the overall performance appraisal rating is documented as Needs Improvement
or Does Not Meet Expectations, the supervisor may recommend termination. The
supervisor discusses the appraisal with the employee and follows the signature
process. Upon completion of the signature process, the appraisal must be
received in Human Resources by the end of the sixth month employment.
REGULAR PERFORMANCE REVIEW
Performance reviews will be conducted twice a year. The mid -year review will not
be the basis for a salary action but will provide an opportunity for the employee
and supervisor to discuss the employees progress toward meeting performance
standards and competency development. Fiscal year-end reviews will serve as
the basis for pay for performance salary increases. The review should be
conducted within thirty (30) days of the beginning of a new fiscal year, on October
1st.
OTHER REVIEWS
A performance review should also be conducted for the following reasons:
Transferring employees
For a transferring employee, the current supervisor prepares a performance
appraisal if the employee's:
• Last appraisal was completed more than three (3) months before the effective
date of the transfer, or
• Performance has significantly changed since their last appraisal.
Transferring supervisor
For a transferring supervisor, the supervisor prepares a performance appraisal if
the employee's:
• Appraisal is due within three (3) months after the effective date of the transfer,
or
• Performance has significantly changed since the last appraisal.
Performance Issues
A supervisor may conduct an appraisal when:
• An employee's performance deserves special recognition, or
• An employee's performance does not appear to be meeting expectations.
Change in Duty Assignment
A supervisor should conduct a performance appraisal when:
• An employee's KRAs and/ or standards of performance change significantly;
• An employee's KRAs and/or standards of performance change as a result of a
promotion, demotion or a lateral classification change.
PERFOR- All employees should meet with their supervisor to develop a performance plan
MANCE within the first thirty (30) days of employment, or upon a change in classification.
PLAN The employee and the supervisor sign the performance plan indicating that the
competencies, KRA's and performance standards have been discussed and
communicated as the basis for an appraisal of the employee's performance.
Performance plans are to be maintained at the division level.
8-11
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
8.00 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
PERFOR-
MANCE
REVIEWS
DEVELOPMENT
PLAN
MANAGEMENT
REVIEW
PERFOR-
MANCE
REVIEW
CONFERENCE
PERFOR-
MANCE
IMPROVEMENT
PLAN (PIP)
The performance plan identifies the KRA's and establishes the performance
standards for each employee's job. KRA's originate from the Job Description,
which documents the essential, job -specific functions of the position. KRAs may
also originate from the City's mission goals and objectives.
Standards of Performance are statements of conditions that will exist when job
performance meets the supervisor's expectations. Performance standards should
include qualitative and quantitative criteria that ensures the work group / employee
will meet goals and objectives related to the tasks. Standards are written for the
job, rather than the employee performing the job. Performance standards provide
a method of measuring an employee's performance. Objective performance
standards must be defined for each KRA. All standards must be measurable.
The purpose of the appraisal is to document the employee's performance in
relation to the performance standards established in the performance plan. It
ensures constructive communication between employee and supervisor in the
interest of productivity. The supervisor must specifically document in quantitative
and/or qualitative terms whether or not, and to what degree, performance
standards have been met.
The purpose of the Development Plan is to identify the employee's areas of
strengths and developmental needs. It is used to assist the employee in improving
employee performance or to prepare for lateral and/or vertical career changes.
Through the performance management process, goals can be set for acquiring
new skills, improving and/or correcting current employee performance and for
acquiring new knowledge and skills to make career changes.
Department Directors are responsible for ensuring consistency of ratings within
their department. Appraising supervisors should route the appraisal document to
the next level supervisor for review prior to conducting the performance review.
A conference is held to review and discuss the supervisor's appraisal and the
employee's self-assessment. The conference also provides an opportunity for the
supervisor and employee to review the existing performance plan and to make
adjustments for the future, as appropriate.
The supervisor discusses the appraisal with the employee and follows the
signature process. If the employee refuses to sign the appraisal document,
another member of management must verify that the employee refused to sign
and then sign the document. The reviewer signs the document after the
performance appraisal conference has been held. Upon completion of the
signature process, the supervisor provides a copy of the appraisal to the
employee and forwards the original to Human Resources by the end of the month
following the month of appraisal.
The supervisor may evaluate the employee's performance at any time during the
appraisal period. The following rules apply: (1) If an employee receives an overall
Performance Appraisal Rating of Does Not Meet Expectations on the annual
appraisal, a PIP must be implemented; (2) If the employee is not meeting the
8-12
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
8.00 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
performance standards for a particular task at anytime during the appraisal period,
the supervisor has the option of placing the employee on a Performance
Improvement Plan (PIP). Supervisors must apply the same practice to all similarly
situated employees.
The plan identifies deficiencies, provides a methodology for improvement, and
establishes a timetable in which performance must be improved. Usually, the
maximum period for a PIP is ninety (90) calendar days.
The original plan remains with the supervisor until the completion of the PIP period
and a copy is given to the employee. A copy of the plan must be attached to the
appraisal document that is submitted to Human Resources.
At the end of the PIP period, the supervisor and employee meet to discuss the
employee's progress, training needs, and future action items. The supervisor
documents (in a memorandum to the appropriate approving authority) the results
of the improvement review session.
If an employee fails to maintain performance standards, the opportunity for an
employee to improve performance will not necessarily be repeated. Disciplinary
action up to and including termination may result without an additional PIP.
If the employee's performance has not improved within the time period
established, the supervisor may determine that additional time is warranted to
achieve the objectives, or that performance is such that disciplinary action is
necessary.
REBUTTAL If an employee does not agree with the supervisor's assessment of performance,
the employee may respond by providing a written rebuttal. The purpose of a
rebuttal is to record the employee's disagreement with the supervisor's appraisal
of his/her performance.
An employee may provide a written rebuttal attached to the performance appraisal
form. The written rebuttal must be submitted within ten (10) working days
following the date the appraisal was administered.
The supervisor must provide a written response to the rebuttal within 5 (five)
working days following the receipt of the rebuttal.
MANAGEMENT If the employee does not think that the issues raised have been sufficiently
REVIEW addressed, a Management Review may be requested. The purpose of the
Management Review is to provide an opportunity for the employee to request a
change in any specific rating. Issues concerning the Development Plan may not
be the basis for a Management Review.
The appraising supervisor and employee requesting the review should meet with
successive levels of management, up to and including the Department Director, in
order to address the employee's concerns. A decision by the Department Director
is final.
8-13
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
8.00 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The request for a Management Review must be submitted in writing to the
immediate supervisor within ten (10) working days following the date the appraisal
review conference was held.
Written response at each level of the Management Review must be submitted to
the employee within five (5) working dates of receipt of request.
In order for a review to be conducted at each level, the employee must submit a
written request to successive levels of management within (5) workings days of
receipt of a determination.
In any event, the completed document should be received by Human Resources
within established timeframes.
TRACKING AND Human Resources tracks performance appraisals and will provide the Department
RECORD Director the names of employees whose performance reviews are thirty (30) days
KEEPING past due. The City Manager will be given this information when reviews are sixty
(60) days overdue.
The original Employee Performance Management Review is maintained in the
personnel files in Human Resources. Human Resources will conduct an
administrative audit to ensure the document is complete.
Access to an employee's Performance Management Review is limited to: the
employee; designated Human Resources staff; designated Legal staff; a
designated representative of the employee (in the employee's presence);
supervisors in the employee's line of supervision; or an organizational hiring
authority who is considering the employee's record in relation to an actual job
posting.
Distribution of copies
After all required signatures are obtained, the document is distributed as follows:
• original to Human Resources;
• copy maintained at the supervisor and/or division/office level; and
• copy to employee.
Retention
Employee personnel files are confidential and are maintained in accordance with
State laws and regulations. However, the performance review document is subject
to the Public Information Act.
RELATED
POLICIES
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
8-14
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
8.00 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
8.07 TRAVEL
PURPOSE To establish travel guidelines intended to facilitate City staffs ability to meet the
goal of service excellence.
POLICY
The policy of the City is that employees are to be reimbursed for necessary and
reasonable job-related expenses incurred in the authorized conduct of City
business. Travel by City employees must always have as its goal the
maintenance and/or improvement of City operations. The nature of such travel
includes attendance at professional association meetings, representing the City at
various governmental and/or regulatory bodies, participation in professional
development educational activities, and involvement with other agencies
performing similar tasks.
GUIDELINES All guidelines assume funds are budgeted:
• Employees are expected to use reasonable judgment in the selection of
transportation and lodging.
• Out -of -City travel must be authorized in advance by the Department Director.
Travel advances or travel reimbursements are based upon the most
economical conveyance that is reasonably available.
• Local travel (travel within 35 miles of the Round Rock City limits) for
authorized conduct of City business is authorized. As a general rule,
reimbursement for meals related to Local travel is not allowed. If unusual
circumstances arise where meal reimbursement for Local travel is necessary,
the justification and Division Manager or Department Director signature of
approval must be submitted with the reimbursement request.
• Expenses that are not permitted under the terms of grants, contracts, or
agreements with other agencies will not be charged as costs to those grants,
contracts, or agreements.
AUTHORIZA- Prior approval is an integral part of the travel policy. Employees who travel on
TION City business and incur expenses are eligible to receive expense reimbursement
subject to the prior approval of the Department Director. Emergencies or required
weekend trips where it is impractical to get prior approval may be an exception.
TRAVEL Employees may request advance travel funds to defray expected costs. The
EXPENSE request must be submitted on the Travel Request/Reimbursement form. To
ADVANCES ensure time to prepare advance expense checks, travel advances should be
submitted at least 10 calendar days prior to departure.
EXPENSES Lodging - Lodging receipts are required. Reimbursement is based on the actual
costs (including hotel -motel occupancy tax).
Reservations should be made at the lowest rate possible. In most cases, this will
be the "government rate." However, in some instances a "corporate rate" or other
rate will be lower.
8-15
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
8.00 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Meals and Incidentals - Travelers may elect to be reimbursed for meal and
incidental costs under one of two methods: (1) a per diem method (no receipts
are required) or (2) based on actual reasonable costs and receipts are required.
Meals and incidentals provided at no cost to the traveler, e.g. those provided by
friend, family, or seminars, are not eligible for per -diem reimbursement. Methods
of reimbursement may not be mixed during any one trip or day.
Meal Per -diem - Under the per -diem method, travelers outside the 35 miles
radius are allowed up to $30.00 per day for meals and incidentals. Partial per
diem will be paid based on the schedule below and at the rates as follows:
Breakfast - $6.50
Lunch - $8.50
Dinner - $15.00
If reimbursement is on a per -diem basis, any costs incurred by the traveler
exceeding the per -diem reimbursement allowance will be considered personal
expenses.
Actual -Cost Method - Reimbursement for meals under this method is allowed for
actual costs paid, including tips, and limited to the maximum meals and incidentals
per diem rates published in IRS Publication 1542 for the location traveled.
Receipts are required for the method. If receipts are lost, reimbursement will be at
the per -diem rate. Tips should not exceed the standard 15% rule. Costs exceeding
the IRS rates are considered personal expenses.
Meals Eligible for Reimbursement - The time departing and arriving in Round
Rock determines meals eligible for reimbursement:
Depart Round Rock Allowed
Before 7:00 a.m. Breakfast
Before 11:00 a.m. Lunch
Before 6:00 p.m. Dinner
Return Round Rock
After 9:00 a.m.
After 1:00 p.m.
After 7:00 p.m.
Allowed
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Employees may pay for meals of other City employees who are on City business.
The name of these other employees are to be listed on the trip report.
Transportation - City employees should select the most economical and
practical mode of transportation when traveling on City business.
Ground Transportation - Where practical, City vehicles should be used for
transportation.
If personal transportation is used, the City will reimburse employees at the current
rate of 29 cents per mile. Employees are expected to report the shortest distance
between points of departure and destinations for all travel. Travel between an
employees' residence and the City offices is not eligible for reimbursement.
8-16
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
8.00 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
REIMBURSE-
MENT
When personal transportation is used to conduct City business, reimbursement is
made monthly upon submission of the Travel Request/Reimbursement Form.
In cases where a rental car is used, optional insurance coverage should not be
purchased.
Air Transportation - Where air transportation is the most appropriate method of
travel, the City will reimburse for coach class accommodations. The purchase of
airline tickets should be accomplished within appropriate City purchasing
guidelines. Please contact the Purchasing Office for information.
Upon the completion of the trip, the employee must complete the Travel
Request/Reimbursement Form and at such time, reimburse the City or be
reimbursed the difference between the advance and actual trip expenses. These
reports must be submitted within five (5) days after the employee returns from a
trip. The following should be attached to the report:
• hotel or motel bills;
• transportation bills (airfare, etc.);
• automobile expenses such as gasoline, oil, etc. (when applicable); and
• other receipts as necessary.
Future request for advance travel funds will be delayed if an employee has any
unresolved travel expenditures.
Department Directors and Division Managers will verify that the trip report
correctly states the inclusive dates and time of absence. Adequate travel time is
allowed, but travel expenses are not paid for absences not required by City
business.
PROHIBITED Costs of personal entertainment, spouse's expenses, amusements, alcoholic
REIMBURSE- beverages, traffic citations, personal items or illegal activities will not be
MENTS reimbursed. Expenses due to vacations or personal trips in conjunction with City
travel are not reimbursable.
EXCEPTIONS • Employees who receive monthly automobile allowances are not eligible for
mileage reimbursements. Employees who travel in a City -owned vehicle
should use the fuel card provided with that vehicle. When traveling out of town
in a City -owned vehicle, employees will be reimbursed for the documented
actual cost of fuel, oil, or other expenses related to the safe operation of the
vehicle.
• When two or more employees travel in a personal automobile, only one
employee will receive per -mile or other automobile reimbursements.
RELATED
POLICIES
EFFECTIVE
DATE
8.02 Training
November 9, 2000
8-17
No Text
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
9.00 PROBLEM RESOLUTION
SECTION PAGE
9.01 GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE 9- 2
9.02 COMPLAINT PROCEDURE 9- 6
9.03 SEXUAL HARASSMENT 9-11
9-1
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
9.00 PROBLEM RESOLUTION
9.01 GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
PURPOSE To provide a procedure whereby employees may resolve problems, disputes or
complaints concerning the terms or conditions of their employment.
POLICY The City recognizes that every employee has the right to be treated fairly in
matters arising from employment in the City. Therefore, each employee should
have the opportunity to be heard fully any time his/her right to fair treatment has
been violated. This grievance process is designed to help reduce personnel
dissatisfaction, increase morale, identify problems in the organization and
increase the positive perception employees have of their employment with the
City.
Employees are always encouraged to address issues informally at the lowest
possible level in order to seek resolution. When an employee believes the issues
that have been discussed informally have not been resolved regarding the terms
and conditions of his/her employment, he or she may initiate proceedings as
specified in this policy in order to resolve those matters.
This grievance procedure is not applicable to matters for which an appeal
process is otherwise provided and may not be used in addition to or in
replacement of those processes.
ELIGIBILITY All employees excluding temporaries.
CONDITIONS Under no circumstances shall more than one procedure be used to redress the
AND same grievance, although use of this or other procedures does not preclude
LIMITATIONS employees from seeking legal remedies as appropriate.
The City retains the right under applicable laws and regulations to direct
employees in the performance of their duties; to take the necessary means to
achieve the proper ends under emergency situations; and to hire, promote,
transfer and assign employees as well as to suspend, demote, discharge or take
disciplinary action against such employees when necessary.
A decision may be made at any step in the grievance procedure that the matter
involved is not grievable.
Matters which may be grieved include, but are not limited to:
• Safety issues
• Inequitable distribution of work
• Inequitable/inappropriate treatment
Matters which may not be grieved include, but are not limited to:
• Compensation
• Work methods
• Equipment
9-2
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
9.00 PROBLEM RESOLUTION
• Hours of work
• Services provided
• Staffing levels
• Allocation to classification
• Disciplinary action
The scope of the employee grievance must:
• clearly define the situation in question through a written allegation of
the specific wrongful act or situation, the harm done and the facts
upon which it is based;
• arise out of an act or failure to act that directly relates to the working
conditions of the eligible employee or to the employee's employment
relationship;
• state such relief sought that is within the power of the department to
grant.
A formal grievance may be filed only after implementation of the grievable action.
However, it must be filed no greater than 14 calendar days following the
grievable action.
PROCEDURE The grievance procedure consists of three steps, each of which must be utilized
in turn before progressing to the next step unless otherwise specified in this
policy.
Step one - Immediate supervisor. An employee who believes that elements of
his/her working environment are unsatisfactory and can be made more effective
should take the following measures:
a. Discuss the specific problem with his immediate supervisor. A problem
that results from a specific event or action must be presented in writing
within fourteen calendar days. The supervisor's decision regarding the
matter shall be rendered in writing to the employee within fourteen
calendar days following the conference. The employee has the right to
the presence of a representative of his choosing during this conference.
b. If the problem cannot be resolved through the conference and/or the
employee wishes to document the grievance for further action, he may
submit a formal written grievance to his intermediate level supervisor.
Employees who do not have an intermediate level supervisor may submit
their grievance directly to their Department Director.
Step two - Intermediate level supervisor. Grievances submitted to an
intermediate level supervisor shall be in writing in the designated format. The
complaint must:
a. be submitted within fourteen calendar days following receipt of the
immediate supervisor's response;
b. include a copy of the immediate supervisor's decision and justification;
c. specify the employee's grievance and the specific remedy requested;
d. provide a response to the immediate supervisor's decision; and
e. be responded to by the intermediate level supervisor within fourteen days
of receipt.
9-3
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
9.00 PROBLEM RESOLUTION
WRITTEN
RESPONSES TO
GRIEVANCES
COORDINATION
OF GRIEVANCE
PROCEDURES
TIME LIMITS
Step three - Department Director. If the matter is not satisfactorily resolved in
step two, the problem may be presented in writing to the Department Director,
together with a copy of all preceding responses, within fourteen calendar days
following the response of the employee's intermediate supervisor. The
Department Director shall meet with the affected employee and a representative
of his choosing, if so desired. A written response will be provided to the
employee within fourteen calendar days after receipt of the appeal from the
employee. The decision of the Department Director is final.
Written responses to grievances shall include the following:
•
•
•
•
notation of the time, date and person who received the grievance;
analysis of the facts or allegation in the grievance;
affirmation or denial of the allegations; and
identification of the remedies or adjustments, if any, to be made.
The Department Director should designate an employee who shall coordinate the
department's grievance procedures as established within these guidelines. This
employee shall also be responsible for the following:
• maintaining and controlling all records relating to grievances in a manner
that will ensure their confidentiality;
• preparing written reports analyzing grievances filed as directed by the
Department Director.
• forwarding a complete packet of all records relating to the grievance to
Human Resources for review.
If a grievance is not submitted by the affected employee within the specified time
limits provided in this policy, the grievance will not be considered. If the
department fails to process a grievance within the time limits specified, the
employee may initiate action by proceeding to the next step. However,
employees are encouraged to make a reasonable attempt to determine the
reason for the delay.
Time extensions - All times specified in this procedure are subject to scheduled
vacations, sick leave or other authorized leave necessary for the proper conduct
of departmental business. Additionally, involved parties may agree to a mutual
time waiver by providing written notice to the other parties prior to the expiration
of the time limit established for that step.
RETALIATION Retaliation against an employee for attempting to resolve a grievance, filing a
grievance or for participating in an attempt to resolve a grievance will not be
tolerated. Employees shall report such reprisal and/or retaliation to the
Department Director and/or Human Resource Director. Supervisors will take
appropriate corrective action to address any violations of law or policy that are
discovered in the course of an attempt to resolve a grievance.
WITHDRAWAL At any time during the grievance process, the employee may withdraw the
OF GRIEVANCE grievance by making written notification of the withdrawal available to all parties
involved in the grievance process.
9-4
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
9.00 PROBLEM RESOLUTION
RELATED
POLICIES
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
9.00 PROBLEM RESOLUTION
9.02 COMPLAINT PROCEDURE (Discrimination/Harassment)
PURPOSE
POLICY
ELIGIBILITY
HUMAN
RESOURCES
SUPERVISORS
EMPLOYEE
PROTECTION
To establish procedures and explain the options and resources available for
employees to resolve complaints of discrimination/harassment.
The City takes all employee complaints seriously. Employees and supervisors
should make every effort to resolve problems or issues informally through
discussion and consultation. If these efforts do not resolve the problems or
issues, the employee may initiate proceedings as specified in this policy in order
to resolve those matters.
All employees are eligible to file a discrimination complaint.
Human Resources is responsible for providing consultation and guidance to
employees. Consultation includes interpretation of Human Resources Policies
and Federal, State and Local employment law issues.
All supervisors should be familiar with the complaint policy and have primary
responsibility for resolving disputes. Employees are encouraged to seek
resolution of a complaint through the chain of command.
All supervisors are responsible for promptly addressing complaints of
discriminatory conduct or harassment filed by or against their employees.
Supervisors must ensure immediate and appropriate action is taken if any
allegation is made or a situation involving discriminatory conduct or harassment
is brought to their attention.
Supervisors have an affirmative duty to respond as soon as he or she knows that
discriminatory conduct may be occurring, regardless of whether or not a formal
complaint has been filed.
Supervisors must notify the Human Resources Director immediately upon
becoming aware of a situation in which discriminatory conduct may have
occurred.
Supervisors shall take immediate action to end discriminatory conduct thus
preventing further harassment or retaliation while the investigation proceeds.
Examples of such action may range from temporarily reassigning the employees
involved pending the investigation, to immediately place one or more of the
parties involved on administrative leave, if needed.
Retaliation against an employee for attempting to resolve a dispute, filing a
complaint or for participating in any way in an investigation of a complaint will not
be tolerated. Employees shall report such reprisal and/or retaliation to the
Department Director and/or Human Resource Director. Supervisors will take
appropriate corrective action to address any violations of law or policy that are
discovered in the course of an investigation.
9-6
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
9.00 PROBLEM RESOLUTION
CONFIDENTI- Confidentially shall be maintained by all parties involved in a complaint and in the
ALITY investigation of a complaint. Each allegation is documented and retained in a
confidential file within Human Resources.
RECORDS
All complaints are addressed in a confidential manner. However, confidential
information may be subject to disclosure in the following instances:
• Confidential information may be subject to disclosure in the event of legal
proceedings or as otherwise required by law.
• Information regarding an investigation may be released to persons within the
City on a "need to know" basis (e.g. the parties' supervisors).
Documents related to a complaint or an investigation of a complaint are
maintained in separate, confidential Human Resources files. Only documents
reflecting disciplinary action taken against the respondent to a complaint will be
placed in the official personnel files.
DEFINITIONS Complainant — The employee who files the complaint.
Complaint — An expression of dissatisfaction regarding employment conditions.
Employment conditions include compensation, work hours, working conditions
and relationships, and other issues related to employment conditions.
Discrimination Complaint — A complaint resulting from an act or event which
the complainant believes occurred because of discrimination on the basis of
race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability or retaliation for reporting
a violation of the law.
Investigator — A neutral third party who is trained to conduct a fact-finding
investigation. The investigation's purpose is to gather information by taking
statements of parties and witnesses, reviewing records, conducting fact-finding
conferences and reviewing City data, policies and other relevant information.
Protected Class — Those groups covered under the Texas Commission on
Human Rights Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in
Employment Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Respondent — The employee against whom a complaint is filed.
PROCEDURE The following procedures are applicable to employees.
• Informal Complaints The first step in the complaint procedure is for the
employee to attempt to resolve the complaint by informal conference with his
or her supervisor. If this conference does not result in a resolution of the
problem(s) that is satisfactory to the employee, he or she may file a formal,
written complaint.
• Formal Complaints Formal complaints must be submitted on the Complaint
Form, signed by the employee, and presented to the employee's supervisor
within 14 calendar days after the alleged complaint occurred. A statement of
the specific remedy requested by the employee must be included in the
written complaint.
9-7
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
9.00 PROBLEM RESOLUTION
After being presented with a written and signed complaint, the supervisor will:
• consult with his or her supervisor and/or Department Director and Human
Resources;
• attempt to resolve the complaint with the employee and, if requested by
the employee, with the employee's representative; and
• communicate the decision to the employee in writing within 14 calendar
days after receipt of the complaint, sending a copy of the decision to the
offices of the City Manager and Department Director. The Department
Director must notify the Human Resources office immediately upon
learning that a complaint has been filed.
If an employee whose supervisor is someone other than the City Manager
receives no written decision from the supervisor within 14 calendar days from
the date the written complaint was filed, or if the employee is not satisfied with
the decision, he or she must file a written appeal with the Department Director
within 14 calendar days from the date the complaint was received or, if no
written decision is received, within 14 calendar days after the employee filed
the formal, written complaint. The Department Director will:
• review the facts of the complaint;
• meet with the complainant, complainant's supervisor, and such other
persons as may be necessary;
• attempt to resolve the complaint within 14 calendar days after receipt
of the complaint within; and
• respond in writing to the employee by the close of the fourteenth calendar
day following the date that the written appeal was received.
Maximum Time Periods At each stage of the complaint process, the time
periods specified are maximums. Complaints should be dealt with promptly
and written responses provided as quickly as possible, preferably within 14
calendar days in simple complaint matters.
Complaints By The Employee & Immediate Supervisor If the employee's
complaint is related to or discrimination by the employee's immediate
supervisor or Department Director then the initial written complaint may, at the
employee's option, be submitted directly to the Human Resources office.
When the respondent is a Department Director, to allow adequate time for
investigation by the City Manager or the person he or she designates, the
total cumulative time period which would have been allowed at the other steps
in the complaints process will be the maximum time period before written
resolution of the complaint is to be received by the employee. The decision of
the City Manager is final.
If the employee's complaint is related to discrimination by the City Manager
then the initial written compliant may, at the employee's option, be submitted
directly to the Mayor, who will serve on a panel also including the City
Attorney and the Municipal Judge to hear the grievance and rule on it no later
than 30 days following receipt of the complaint. The decision of the panel is
final.
The process related to the resolution of complaints of sexual harassment is
9-8
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
9.00 PROBLEM RESOLUTION
outlined in detail in the related policy.
INFORMAL An employee must attempt to resolve disputes informally at the lowest
RESOLUTION supervisory level possible, typically the employee's immediate supervisor.
Resolution must be attempted within five (5) working days of the occurrence
prompting the dispute. The supervisor may require the employee to summarize
the dispute in writing. If the dispute is not resolved satisfactorily, the employee
should request assistance from the next supervisory level.
If the dispute is not resolved at that level, the employee must seek resolution at
each supervisory level through his or her chain of command, up to the Division
Director level. In instances when the dispute involves a Division Director, the
employee must seek resolution at the Deputy Director level.
An employee is not required to attempt to informally resolve disputes with any
supervisor if the dispute relates to allegations of discrimination on the part of that
supervisor. An employee should not attempt to informally resolve disputes with
any supervisor if the dispute relates to allegations of sexual harassment on the
part of that supervisor. In those instances, the employee may address the
issues with the next supervisor in his/her chain of command, starting with the
lowest possible level of management or contact Human Resources.
INVESTIGATION Human Resources or the Internal Affairs Detail of the Police Department
OF THE investigates complaints. The role of the investigator is to gather facts regarding
COMPLAINTS the complaint. The investigator will never investigate a complaint if he or she has
participated in the mediation of that complaint, or the decision or action that
prompted the complaint.
Human Resources/ or Internal Affairs Detail should acknowledge receipt of the
complaint and contact the complainant to gather additional information within five
(5) working days. Human Resources/Internal Affairs will notify the respondent
that a complaint has been filed. A position statement will be requested of the
respondent.
The investigator should consider only information within the scope of the
complaint, but must report other information discovered during the investigation
to the Human Resources Director.
The investigator will prepare a list for each party identifying witnesses
interviewed and the documents reviewed. Witness identities may or may not be
provided to the parties by the investigator in sexual harassment cases depending
on the circumstances surrounding the complaint.
The investigation of a complaint should be completed and the determination
issued as soon as possible. In most cases, this can be accomplished within 14
days of receipt of the respondent's position statement. Throughout the
investigation process, parties are encouraged to discuss remedies to the
complaint issue and/or resolutions.
If an agreement is reached and approved, the complaint is resolved, the
9-9
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
9.00 PROBLEM RESOLUTION
ACTION TO BE
TAKEN
investigation ends and the case is closed. Any agreements are subject to review
by Department Director, Human Resources Director and the City Attorney.
After reviewing the fact-finding Investigation Summary Report, the Department
Director, City Manager, Supervisor and Human Resources representative meet
to review the report. The investigator attends the meeting only to answer
pertinent questions concerning the investigation. The committee then discusses
the facts to determine what course of action is appropriate.
During the meeting, Human Resources shall provide the Department Director
guidance regarding city policies, which may be applicable to the situation. The
City Attorney may be called on to answer any legal standards, which are relevant
to assist the Department Director in making a determination.
If the complaint is verified, the complaint will be returned to the department's
chain of command for appropriate action.
APPEALS Any individual who was a party in a complaint (i.e. Respondent or Complainant)
PROCEDURE may file an appeal (level of disciplinary action only) with the City Manager.
RELATED 9.03 Sexual Harassment
POLICIES
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
9-10
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
9.00 PROBLEM RESOLUTION
9.03 SEXUAL HARASSMENT
PURPOSE To establish a guidelines for ensuring that employees are protected and provided a
workplace free of harassment and to provide recourse for an employee when their
rights are violated.
POLICY
The City of Round Rock is committed to providing a work environment free from
harassment, offensive behavior or intimidation on the basis of a person's sex. This
policy affirms the City of Round Rock's position against sexual harassment and
ensures that all employees are provided a work environment free of sexual
harassment, as well as to provide a procedure for reporting allegations of sexual
harassment.
The City of Round Rock will ensure swift and appropriate action is taken in
response to any allegation of sexual harassment. Acts of sexual harassment by any
employee are prohibited. Sexual harassment on the part of an employee will result
in disciplinary action up to and including termination.
DEFINITION Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual
favors, and any other unwelcome verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature,
which is offensive or objectionable to the recipient and/or an observer. This
includes, but is not limited to, any derogatory or suggestive verbal comments or
physical conduct. Sexual harassment has occurred when:
• submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly as term or
condition of an individual's employment;
• submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis
for employment decisions affecting an individual; and/or
• such conduct interferes with a person's work performance or creates an
intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment.
A hostile work environment may also be created by non -sexual behavior directed at
an individual because of their gender (e.g., using derogatory terms to refer to men
or women), or sexual conversation or activity not directed at a particular individual,
but which adversely affects working conditions (e.g., telling offensive jokes in the
presence of others or which can be overheard by others).
Sexual harassment also includes sexually suggestive or obscene materials, such as
visual materials, music, computer software or literature, which may create an
offensive or hostile work environment.
Isolated incidents of sexually oriented misconduct, which is unwelcome and
offensive, as well as continual or repeated incidents of such behavior, may also
constitute sexual harassment.
Sexual harassment toward another person of the same sex is also strictly prohibited
by this policy.
9-11
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
9.00 PROBLEM RESOLUTION
EXAMPLES Examples of sexual harassment may include, but are not limited to:
• demanding sexual favors in exchange for favorable reviews, assignments,
promotion, continued employment or promises of continued employment;
• sexual jokes, language, epithets, advances or propositions;
• verbal abuse of a sexual nature;
• graphic verbal commentary about an individual's body, sexual prowess or sexual
deficiencies;
• use of sexually degrading or vulgar words to describe an individual;
• leering, whistling, touching, pinching, brushing the body, assault, coerced sexual
acts, or suggestive, insulting or obscene comments or gestures;
• the display in the workplace of sexually suggestive objects, pictures, posters or
cartoons;
• name calling, relating stories, gossip, comments or jokes that may be
derogatory toward a particular sex;
• the display of sexually suggestive graffiti; and/or
• asking questions about sexual conduct or sexual orientation or preferences.
REPORTING An employee should report allegations of sexual harassment to his/her immediate
ALLEGATIONS supervisor or the Human Resources Director, except as indicated below.
An employee should not attempt to informally resolve disputes with any supervisor if
the dispute relates to allegations of sexual harassment on the part of that
supervisor. In those instances the employee may address the issues with a
supervisor in his/her chain of command, or contact Human Resources.
Supervisors are required to exercise discretion and good judgement in determining
which complaints must be filed with the Human Resources Director as soon as
possible after the act or event prompting the complaint has occurred. The
complaint may be made in writing or orally. If the complaint is made orally, it will be
reduced to writing by the Human Resources Director or designee and reviewed and
approved by the complainant prior to the investigation.
EMPLOYEE Retaliation against an employee for attempting to resist sexual harassment, filing a
PROTECTION complaint, attempting to stop sexual harassment against another employee or for
participating in any way in an investigation of a sexual harassment complaint will not
be tolerated. Employees should report such reprisal and/or retaliation to the Human
Resources Director. Management will take appropriate corrective action for any
violations of law or policy that are discovered in the course of an investigation.
CONFIDENTI- All complaints of sexual harassment are addressed in a confidential manner. Each
ALITY allegation is documented and retained in a confidential file within Human
Resources.
Confidentiality shall be maintained by all parties involved in a sexual harassment
complaint, or in the investigation of a sexual harassment complaint. However,
confidential information may be subject to disclosure in the following instances:
• Confidential information may be subject to disclosure in the event of legal
proceedings or as otherwise required by law.
9-12
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
9.00 PROBLEM RESOLUTION
• Information regarding an investigation of a sexual harassment incident may be
released to persons within the agency on a "need to know" basis (e.g., the
parties' supervisors)
• The identity of the complainant and any witnesses in a sexual harassment
investigation shall remain confidential unless and until disclosure of identities
becomes necessary. Such disclosure may become necessary if the complainant
or witnesses testify against a respondent to a sexual discrimination complaint
claim that has requested a hearing pursuant to the City's appeal procedures.
RECORDS Documents related to a sexual harassment complaint or an investigation of a sexual
harassment complaint are maintained in separate, confidential Human Resources
files. Such documents will not be maintained in employee personnel files. Only
documents reflecting disciplinary action taken against the respondent to a complaint
will be placed in personnel files.
WHERE TO Questions concerning the sexual harassment policy or issues should be referred to
REFER the Human Resources Director, Teresa S. Bledsoe.
QUESTIONS
RELATED 9.02 Complaint Procedures
POLICIES
EFFECTIVE November 9, 2000
DATE
9-13
No Text
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
10.00 SEPARATION
10.00 SEPARATION
PURPOSE
POLICY
DEFINITIONS
To ensure timely and accurate processing of employees who are being
removed from the City payroll and to stay consistent with positive employee
relation's practices.
City employees may be separated from City service through resignation,
termination, retirement, lay-off, or death of the employee.
The categories of separation are:
Resignation - A voluntary separation, including:
Separated in good standing, the decision should be formally discussed with
the supervisor and employees must give two weeks written notice including
the reason for leaving. The two week notice shall be a working two weeks
to provide good transition for coverage.
• An absence of two consecutive working days without authorization from
supervisor.
• Failure to return from leave of absence as arranged with the City.
• Retirement, which usually includes qualification for, benefits under the
Texas Municipal Retirement System.
An employee, who resigns, with or without notice, should be asked
immediately by the supervisor to submit a written resignation or to complete
the voluntary resignation form. The completed notice will be forwarded to
the Human Resources Department for filing in the employee's permanent
record.
Termination
Under the doctrine of employment -at -will an employee may be terminated
at any time with or without cause.
Disability
An employee who is unable to perform the essential job functions of the
position due to medical reasons may be discharged from employment.
Deceased
The death of an employee in active employment.
PROCEDURES Personnel Action/Position Control Change Forms
The immediate supervisor of the separated employee is responsible for
initiating the Personnel Action/Position Control Change Form (PA) and
designating the appropriate separation code. PAs are due to the Human
Resource office with all signatures one week before separation date
Return of Equipment. Pro Cards. Phones and Keys
Prior to the last day of work, the supervisor must obtain all City property
from the separated employee.
10-2
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
10.00 SEPARATION
OUT Out Processing Human Resource Department
PROCESSING Employees should contact the Human Resource Department for out -
processing as soon as possible after the separation decision has been
made.
Questionnaire
Separated employees, whether voluntary or involuntary, will be mailed an
exit interview questionnaire to be completed and returned to the Human
Resources Department.
Final Paycheck
• The final check will be issued with the next regular payroll after effective
date of separation. Final pay for employees who are discharged will be
issued within the guidelines of the Texas Payday Law.
The final check will not be direct deposited.
Generally, when an employee is separated in good standing, benefit credits
are lost (beyond those paid for at the time of termination) with these
expectations:
• Vested Rights Under the Texas Municipal Retirement System -
General provisions of benefits credit are specified in the summary plan
description available from the Human Resources Department.
BENEFIT Health Insurance Benefit — Extended coverage and conversion privileges
ELIGIBILITY of the health insurance benefit plan is provided in accordance with
conditions outlined through COBRA.
Vacation — Regular status employees are eligible to be paid in full for
vacation leave balances. Except as provided by State law, employees
terminated for misconduct for violation of the law will not be eligible to be
paid for vacation leave balances. Recommendation not to pay the amount
of the vacation leave balance must be approved by the Human Resources
Director and the City Attorney's office
Sick — Current employees who were employed on or before 12/1/93 may be
eligible for payment of their banked sick leave. The payment of the banked
sick leave will be calculated at the employee's hourly rate as of 12/1/93.
10-3
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
10.00 SEPARATION
EXIT INTERVIEW Exit interviews are designed to solicit constructive feedback to improve
effectiveness and an opportunity for the City to get a look at itself through
the eyes of its former employees. Areas that need improvement may be
identified and modified to help create a better work environment.
RELATED POLICIES
EFFECTIVE DATE November 9, 2000
10-4
DATE:
November 3, 2000
SUBJECT: City Council Meeting — November 9, 2000
ITEM:
Resource:
History:
Funding:
9.B.1. Consider an ordinance amending Chapter 7, Section 7.100, Code of
Ordinances, adopting a new Human Resources Policies and
Procedures Manual for city employees. (First Reading) This revised
policy manual incorporates policy guidelines and policy resolutions that
were approved since 1993. Additionally, existing policies were revised
and new policies and procedures were added consistent with best practice
models.
Teresa Bledsoe
This revised policy manual incorporates policy guidelines and policy resolutions
that were approved since 1993. Additionally, existing policies were revised and
new policies and procedures were added consistent with best practice models.
N/A
Cost: N/A
Source of funds: N/A
Outside Resources: None
Impact:
Benefit:
None
Keeps City employees informed about City policies and procedures.
Public Comment: None
Sponsor:
N/A