Employees may be involuntarily separated from service by death, dismissal, reduction in force, or medical disability.
(A) Death. The estates of employees who die while employed by the county will be provided benefits and payments due to the employee at the time of the employee’s death.
(B) Dismissal. Employees may be dismissed for unsatisfactory job performance, improper work related behavior, or disciplinary reasons.
(C) Reduction in force.
(1) The County Commissioners may find it necessary to reduce the number of employees based on reduction or elimination of funds, reduced or revised workloads, or a decision by the county to reduce either its level of service or staff.
(2) A specific plan will be developed for each planned reduction in force which will establish those functions and positions to be retained and establish lists of employees who are to be retained and those who are to be separated, laid off, or work reduced hours.
(a) The plan will be developed by the County Manager and reviewed by the County Commissioners.
(b) The plan will specify retention and separation factors. Possible factors may include:
1. Performance evaluation ratings;
2. Qualifications to perform additional work activities within the same or similar program areas; and/or
3. Continuous county service.
(c) Part-time jobs may be eliminated or combined, but part-time employees need not be separated to preclude the separation of full-time employees.
(3) When a reduction in force is proposed to the County Commissioners, the County Manager will inform all employees that a plan is being considered. Upon approval, but in no case less than 14 days prior to the reduction in force, the affected employees will be given written notices of how the plan affects them.
(4) Employees involuntarily separated by a reduction in force may apply for re-employment if qualified for the vacant position.
(D) Medical disability.
(1) Employees who are disabled for medical reasons and have exhausted sick leave and personal leave may be put on leave of absence without pay for disability reasons.
(2) (a) Employees will be separated from service for medical disability after 90 calendar days on leave without pay or upon commencement of medical disability payments, whichever occurs first. Employees on medical disability leave by reason of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition will not be separated from service.
(b) Other employees who recover and apply for employment may be re-employed if there are vacant positions for which they are qualified at the time of their application.
(Ord. passed 10-2-1990)