Vote: approved

Item Text

44. CHANGES TO MARICOPA COUNTY EMPLOYEE MERIT SYSTEM RESOLUTION AND MERIT RULES TO ESTABLISH RULES FOR THE FURLOUGH OF CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES Approve changes to Maricopa County Employee Merit System Resolution to add new paragraph 4.K. defining furloughs as mandatory unpaid leave imposed on classified employees as the result of a budget deficit or shortfall; establishing that a furlough may be imposed as an alternative to, or in conjunction with, a Reduction in Force (see Merit Rule 9.02); stating that furloughs are not suspensions or involuntary demotions under Section 16 (“Employee Appeals”) of the Merit System Resolution; and renumbering all subsequent definitions. Approve Changes to Rule 1 of the Maricopa County Employee Merit System Rules to add new paragraph 1.27 defining a “Furlough,” as mandatory unpaid leave imposed on classified employees as the result of a budget deficit or shortfall; establishing that a furlough may be imposed as an alternative to, or in conjunction with a Reduction in Force (see Merit Rule 9.02); stating that furloughs are not suspensions or involuntary demotions under Rule 10 (“Appeals”) of the Maricopa County Employee Merit System Rules; and renumbering all subsequent definitions. Approve changes to Rule 8 of the Maricopa County Employee Merit System Rules by changing title of Rule to “Transfers, Promotions, Reassignments, Demotions and Furloughs,” and by adding new Section 8.05, “Furloughs,” which addresses procedures, requirements and rules for the imposition of mandatory unpaid leave for classified employees. On May 6, 2009, the Maricopa County Employee Merit Commission approved changes to the Maricopa County Employee Merit System Resolution and Merit System Rules to add rules and provisions for the furlough of classified employees, except for proposed changes that would have conferred limited appeal rights to employees affected by a furlough requirement. With respect to the changes addressing the limited appeal rights of furloughed employees, the Merit Commission deferred approval pending further consideration. The Director, Workforce Management & Development, recommends approval of the following changes approved by the Merit Commission during its formal meeting on May 6, 2009: 1. Approve changes to Maricopa County Employee Merit System Resolution to add new paragraph 4.K. defining furloughs as mandatory unpaid leave imposed on classified employees as the result of a budget deficit or shortfall; establishing that a furlough may be imposed as an alternative to, or in conjunction with, a Reduction in Force (see Merit Rule 9.02); stating that furloughs are not suspensions or involuntary demotions under Section 16 (“Employee Appeals”) of the Merit System Resolution; and renumbering all subsequent definitions. 2. Approve Changes to Rule 1 of the Maricopa County Employee Merit System Rules to add new paragraph 1.27 defining a “Furlough,” as mandatory unpaid leave imposed on classified employees as the result of a budget deficit or shortfall; establishing that a furlough may be imposed as an alternative to, or in conjunction with a Reduction in Force (see Merit Rule 9.02); stating that furloughs are not suspensions or involuntary demotions under Rule 10 (“Appeals”) of the Maricopa County Employee Merit System Rules; and renumbering all subsequent definitions. 6. Approve changes to Rule 8 of the Maricopa County Employee Merit System Rules by changing title of Rule to “Transfers, Promotions, Reassignments, Demotions and Furloughs,” and by adding new Section 8.05, “Furloughs,” which addresses procedures, requirements and rules for the imposition of mandatory unpaid leave for classified employees. Backup provided with this agenda item shows proposed changes previously approved by the Merit Commission and submitted for approval by the Board, as well as proposed changes deferred for further consideration by the Merit Commission. (C-31-09-015-6-00)