In this article, the following words and phrases have the following meanings:
Board: The merit system protection board as described in section 403 of the county charter.
County employees: All persons employed by the county regardless of merit system status.
Domestic partner. A person who was registered as the domestic partner of a County employee with the Office of Human Resources on or before June 27, 2016 in a domestic partnership that did not end before the County employee’s death. This definition applies throughout this Chapter unless otherwise indicated.
Illegal or improper actions: Any actions which violate any law or regulation, or which constitute a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety.
Merit system employees: All persons who are employed by the county in full-time or part-time year-round permanent career positions in any department/office/agency of the executive and legislative branches of the county government or in any other position specifically so designated by law.
Removal: The separation of a merit system employee through dismissal, involuntary resignation or abolishment of his or her position for reasons or circumstances determined by the board as being other than a bona fide reduction of funds or work.
Supervisor: The chief administrative officer and all subordinate personnel exercising supervisory functions in the capacity of a public employer. (1979 L.M.C., ch. 24, § 2; 1982 L.M.C., ch. 40, § 5; 1999 L.M.C., ch. 30, § 2; 2017 L.M.C., ch. 29, §1.)
Editor’s note—See County Attorney Opinion dated 11/12/97 indicating that the Charter permits the use of merit system employees for pilot programs and enterprise programs, but prohibits the use of contract employees for these programs. See County Attorney Opinion dated 2/19/97 explaining that the County Executive has the authority to establish a separate salary schedule for non-merit heads of departments and principal offices within the Executive Branch. [attachment]