Separation from employment is an inevitable part of personnel activity within any organization and many of the reasons for separation are routine. Below are examples and definitions of some of the more common circumstances under which an employee may be separated from employment:
(a) Resignation. Resignation is a separation initiated by an employee. Resignations shall be submitted on a form or format prescribed by the City Manager and as a minimum shall include date of notice, effective date of resignation, and the reason(s) for resigning. In the event of an oral resignation, the department head shall complete the prescribed form to include the required information plus a statement that it is an oral resignation and the names of any witnesses thereto. Once a resignation is tendered by an employee and accepted by the department head or his/her representative, it may not be withdrawn unless the department head agrees with such withdrawal in writing.
Employees who wish to resign shall be required to give at least fifteen (15) calendar days notice in order to be separated in good standing and accorded the re-employment benefits accruing therefrom. The fifteen calendar days notice may be waived upon recommendation of the department head, if in his/her opinion exceptional circumstances warrant such waiver. Employees may be retained in a duty and pay status or required to use available accumulated vacation leave during the notice period at the discretion of the department head. Resignations shall not be requested or demanded by supervisory personnel, nor attempts made to coerce an employee into resigning. However, the employee may be informed that he/she has the option of resigning. An employee who wishes to resign while a dismissal is pending may do so, provided the department head wishes to accept the resignation. An employee who resigns pending dismissal shall forfeit his/her grievance rights.
(b) Retirement. Retirement is a separation from employment generally initiated voluntarily by an eligible employee. In certain limited circumstances, where necessitated by a bona fide occupational qualification reasonably necessary to the normal operation of the City of Moundsville's business, the City of Moundsville may require mandatory retirement.
An employee reaches retirement age when his/her years of service plus his/her age is equal to 70 or greater.
(c) Abandonment of Position. An employee who, without justification acceptable to the department head concerned, fails to report to work for three (3) consecutive work days shall be dismissed by reason of abandonment of position. An employee separated for this reason shall not be considered to have been separated in good standing. No specific advance notice shall be required, but a reasonable effort shall be made by the department head to locate the employee at his/her address or telephone number of record to ascertain the reason for such absence and the employee's intentions prior to initiation of dismissal of the employee.
(d) Separation During Introductory Period. An employee shall be separated during the introductory period if he/she fails to demonstrate that he/she possesses the skills or character traits necessary for satisfactory performance in the position. The employee shall be notified in writing by the department head of the reasons for and the effective date of the separation as well as his/her employment status during any notice given. Normally, an employee shall be given seven (7) calendar days advance written notice of separation during the introductory period. Except in instances where his/her continued presence on the job would constitute a hazard to himself/herself or others or would otherwise reflect adversely on the City, the employee shall be retained in a duty and pay status during the notice period.
(e) Reduction-in-Force. Normally, and subject only to availability of funds, employees selected for separation by reason of reduction-in-force shall be given fifteen (15) calendar days advance written notice of such separation by the City Manager and, except for leave (vacation, sick, and/or leave without pay) requested by the employee and granted by the department head, the employee shall be retained in a duty and pay status for the duration of the notice period. (See Section 155.12 for reduction-in-force policies and procedures.)
(f) Termination. Termination is an involuntary separation initiated by the City of Moundsville. All employees, except Civil Service, are employed at will and may be dismissed with or without cause any time during their employment.