3.80.100 Unpaid Leave Due to Reduction of Hours.
Department Directors, with the advice and approval of the Human Resources Director, may reduce an employee's hours either permanently or temporarily, in whole or in part, and may implement temporary salary reductions for FLSA exempt employees as needed due to lack of work, reorganization, budget reduction, loss of federal, state or grant funding that supports the position or program, greater efficiencies in the delivery of program or department services, or for other reason as determined by the County. The ability to reduce hours does not derogate from the County's authority to abolish positions and/or lay off employees. Such reduction of hours may be implemented as follows:
A. Unpaid Standby Leave Status. An employee may be placed in Unpaid Standby Leave Status when the Department reasonably expects the ability to return the employee to partial or regular work within a defined period of time. Unpaid Standby Leave Status shall be for a consecutive block of time with an expected return to work date. However, while on Unpaid Standby Leave Status, an employee shall be available for work offered by the County and may be returned to work in a full or part-time capacity sooner than the expected return date. Unpaid Standby Leave Status may be extended or changed to another status. If an employee accepts regular employment with another employer while on Unpaid Standby Leave Status, they must notify the supervisor and will be separated from Pierce County employment.
B. Unpaid Economic Furlough. An employee may be designated for Unpaid Economic Furlough hours on a daily, weekly, or pay cycle basis, to result in an established temporary regular work schedule that is less than their standard hours. Unpaid Economic Furlough will not result in the discontinuance of benefits as otherwise provided in PCC 3.80.030.
C. Notice to Employees. Employees will be given advance written notice of their reduction of hours. If feasible, at least two weeks notice shall be provided. Except in cases of emergency, employees will be provided at least one-day notice. Reduction of hours shall not be subject to the Administrative Guidelines grievance or appeal process.
D. Order of Unpaid Leave. In the event a Department implements Unpaid Standby Leave Status as a reduction of hours for Career Service employees, the Human Resources Director shall determine the order of reduction within the affected department or business function by utilizing the criteria for determining order of layoffs as set forth in the Administrative Guidelines, Section 3.30.030 A., Unpaid Economic Furlough, may be implemented by the Department Director with advice and approval from the Human Resources Director according to the business needs of the Department.
E. Use of Accrued Leave. If the reduction of hours is not due to budget reductions as determined by the Finance Director or the loss of federal or state funding that supports the position or program, the employee may use appropriate accrued leave in an amount to bring the employee up to their standard scheduled daily hours.