(A) Employees in the following employment classification(s) are eligible to earn vacation benefits on their anniversary date and use vacation benefits as described in this policy: regular full-time employees after 90-days of continuous employment.
(B) The amount of paid vacation benefits an employee receives each year increases with the length of their continuous employment as shown in the following schedule:
(1) After 90-days of continuous employment: five days/40 hours;
(2) On the employee’s one-year anniversary through their sixth year: ten days/80 hours;
(3) On the employee’s seventh year anniversary through their ninth year: 15 days/120 hours; and
(4) On the employee’s tenth year anniversary and beyond: 20 days/160 hours.
(C) Vacation benefits may be taken by full day or half-day increments or in one-hour increments as approved by a department head. Vacation benefits may not be taken in advance of having earned the time. Vacation benefits are earned for all continuous years of service in an active pay status. Vacation benefits are not earned while an employee is in an unpaid status. If less than 1,800 hours of work are completed by the employee during any one year, vacation benefits earned shall be prorated on completed hours of time worked for the following year.
(D) In the event that available vacation benefits are not used by the end of the employee's anniversary year, the unused vacation benefits will be forfeited. Earned, but unused vacation benefits will be paid out upon termination of employment, or to the estate of the employee upon their death. An employee’s termination date may not be extended by the use of unused vacation benefits, or to earn additional vacation benefits.
(E) Vacation benefits are paid at the employee’s current pay rate at the time of the absence and will be included in the calculation of overtime.
(F) Refer to the town employee handbook for additional information on vacation benefits.
(Ord. 2023-12-2, passed 12-28-2023)