LYON COUNTY PERSONNEL POLICY MANUAL

Transcription

1 LYON COUNTY PERSONNEL POLICY MANUAL DECEMBER 2017

2 LYON COUNTY PERSONNEL POLICY MANUAL TABLE OF CONTENTS LYON COUNTY PERSONNEL POLICY MANUAL TBALE OF CONTENTS... i-viii 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS Purpose Scope Computing Time for Notices Administration Administrative Directive Change of Address Failure to Receive Notices Personnel Files Contents Employee Access Negative Information Employee Information Submitted Verification of Employment Confidential Information Identification of Confidential Information Access to Confidential Information Disposal of Personal Records EMPLOYEE RELATIONS Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Scope Equal Employment Opportunity Officer Designated Anti-Harassment Policy Prohibited Conduct/Behavior(s) Dealing w/allegations of Discrimination and/or Prohibited Conduct/Behavior(s) Process Employee Responsibilities Supervisor/Manager Responsibilities Investigation Training Prohibition Against Retaliation Employee Dating Policy Employee Responsibilities Supervisor/Manager Responsibilities Employee Bullying Definition Purpose Prohibited Conduct Dealing with Allegations of Bullying Prohibition Against Retaliation Employment Disabilities Purpose of Policy Lyon County Personnel Policies Page i December 2017

3 Policy Determination of Disability Disability-Related Inquiries Confidentiality of Medical Records Accommodation Requirements of Other Laws Glossary of ADA-Related Terms Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace Policy Employee Responsibilities Department Head Responsibilities Supervisor Responsibilities Lyon County Responsibilities Employee Education Employee Assistance and Voluntary Referral Reasonable Suspicion Testing Post-Accident Testing Department Safety-Sensitive Positions Pre-Employment Testing Random Testing Return-to-Duty Testing/Follow-up Testing Consequence of Refusal to Submit to Testing / Adulterated Specimen Testing Guidelines Option to Retest Requirement for Drug Retest Searches Disciplinary Action Confidentiality Prohibition of Workplace Violence Purpose Scope Policy Violations Temporary Restraining Orders Employment of Relatives Code of Ethical Standards Political Activity Running for or Holding Political Office Solicitation Prohibited Employee Activities Non-Employee Activities Work Stoppage Prohibited Use of Lyon County Property and Premises Phone Policy Personal Phone Calls Cell Phone Use in Vehicles Phone Use in Business Meetings Additional Cell Phone Functions & Services Information Technology Policy Privacy Lyon County Personnel Policies Page ii December 2017

4 Use Prohibited Use Violation of Policy Social Media/Networking Definitions Standards Smoking, E-cigarettes and Tobacco Use Outside Employment Policy Conflicting Employment Procedure Personal Appearance Policy Enforcement Children, Animals, and Visitors in the Workplace Employee Identification Badges General Policy Reporting Convictions Whistleblower Protection Purpose Definitions Filing an Appeal Appointment of Hearing Officers Appeal Hearings Prohibition of Threats or Coercion Disclosure of Untruthful Information Annual Summary EMPLOYMENT Scope Source of Candidates Job Announcements Open Examinations Promotional Examinations General Requirements for Filing of Applications Application Forms Signatures Application Filing Periods Eligibility of Applicants Reduction of Applicant Pool Examination Process Administration of Examinations Factors Evaluated Types of Examinations Minimum Standards Probationary Period Eligible Lists Removal of Names From List Referral of Applicants for Hire Interviewing Applicants Selection Correction of Administrative Errors Lyon County Personnel Policies Page iii December 2017

5 3.14. Reference Checks Acquiring References Providing References Applicant/Employee Investigations Reports Requirements Offers of Employment Job Offer Letters Pre-employment Drug Screening Other Conditions Orientation Failure to Appear for Work Rehire Casual Employment Purpose Authorization to Hire Casual Workers Duration of Casual Employment Employment in a Regular Position License/Occupational Certification Purpose Scope Employee Responsibilities Provisions POSITION CLASSIFICATION PLAN Policy Preparation and Adoption Classification Maintenance and Revision New Positions Reclassification Reallocation Procedure Requests for Classification Review Effective Date Transfers Promotions COMPENSATION PLAN Pay Periods and Paydays Direct Deposit Replacement Checks Work Week Defined Work Time Attendance Work Schedules Rest Periods Meal Periods Work Assignments Time Reporting Purpose of Time Reporting Hours Worked Position Designations Exempt or Non-Exempt Lyon County Personnel Policies Page iv December 2017

6 Responsibility for Exempt or Non-Exempt Designation Responsibility for Time Reporting Overtime Non-Exempt Employees Exempt Employees Safe Harbor Shift Differential Rates of Pay Compensation Plan Hiring Rate of Pay Advanced Salary Hire Salary on Promotion Salary Increase Schedule Step Advancements or Merit Increases Authorized Anniversary Date Withholding of Merit Increases Job Performance Merit Increases and Probationary Periods Granting of Withheld Merit Increases Flat Rate Salaries Casual Worker Compensation Rates of Pay Merit Increases Implementing Pay Increases Y-Rate Management Compensation Salary Ranges Starting Salaries Performance Management Evaluations Salary Reviews Final Paycheck Stand-by Pay Special Training Pay LEAVE PLANS Holidays Holidays Designated Holiday Pay Weekend Holidays No Accrual Work on Holidays Vacation Leave Vacation Leave Accrual Regular Part-Time Employees Eligibility Maximum Accrual Use of Vacation Leave Vacation Leave Pay at Termination Sick Leave Policy Procedure Family and Medical Leave Policy Lyon County Personnel Policies Page v December 2017

7 Duration of and Reasons for Leave Military Caregiver Leave Notice of Leave Certification of Leave Designation Notice Benefits Coverage During Leave Restoration to Employment Return from Leave Failure to Return from Leave Leave of Absence Without Pay Policy Procedure Court Leave When Granted Compensation Late Start/Early Release Military Leave under Federal Law Policy Notice and Notification Salary and Benefits Reemployment Termination Military Leave under Nevada Statute Policy Procedure Emergency Volunteer Service Emergency Road Conditions Disaster Area Declaration Blood Donor Leave Bereavement Leave Catastrophic Leave Leave for Parents of Children Enrolled in School Policy Retaliation Leave for Nursing Mothers BENEFITS Health Insurance Coverage Eligibility Benefits Plan Changes Life Insurance Coverage Eligibility Policy Coverage Optional Policy Retirement Workers Compensation Modified Duty Policy Responsibility for the Policy Procedures Deferred Compensation Lyon County Personnel Policies Page vi December 2017

8 7.7. Educational Assistance Reimbursement for Required License or Certification Early Separation Incentive Program Purpose Incentive Eligibility to Apply Application Approval Process TRAVEL EXPENSES Policy Allowances Mileage Lodging Meals Other Expenses Unallowable Expenses Processing Claims Advances EMPLOYEE SEPARATION Resignation Notice Return of Employer Property Withdrawal No Notice Job Abandonment Supervisor/Department Head Responsibilities Final Paycheck Layoff Reasons for Layoff Alternatives to Layoff Order of Layoffs Designation of Employees to be Laid Off Layoff Notice Reinstatement Reinstatement Process Duration of Reinstatement List PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT Statement Purpose Ongoing Communication Regarding Performance Frequency of Performance Evaluations Written Record Personnel Actions Resulting From Performance Evaluations Employee Involvement Procedure Steps in the Performance Evaluation Process Documentation of Performance Evaluations Responsibility for Performance Evaluations DISCIPLINARY ACTION AND APPEAL Justification for Discipline Policy Lyon County Personnel Policies Page vii December 2017

9 Forms of Disciplinary Action Due Process Administrative Leave During Disciplinary Proceeding DISPUTE RESOLUTION Definition of Dispute No Retaliation Time Limits Selection of Designated Official Dispute Resolution Procedure Step 1. Discussion with Immediate Supervisor Step 2. Formal Written Notice of Dispute Step 3. Lyon County Manager Review DEFINITION OF TERMS APPENDIX A - CONSANGUINITY Lyon County Personnel Policies Page viii December 2017

10 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS 1.1. Purpose 1.2. Scope These policies are established to carry out the intent of the Board of County Commissioners to adopt uniform personnel policies that will enable each employee to make his/her fullest contribution to the programs and services of Lyon County. In cases where application of these policies would conflict with express provisions of a collective bargaining agreement covering the same topic which is in effect between a recognized employee organization and Lyon County, the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement shall govern. In all other cases, these policies shall govern. Nothing in these policies is intended to supersede applicable state or federal laws or administrative regulations related to personnel matters Computing Time for Notices For the purpose of determining the length of time periods for processing an action in these policies, days shall be counted beginning with the business day following mailing or delivery of the notice and concluding at 5:00 p.m. on the last day to be counted. If the last day to be counted falls on a weekend or holiday, the period will end at 5:00 p.m. on the first business day following the last counted day Administration Lyon County reserves the right to change these personnel policies at any time. Nothing contained in these policies is intended to confer any property right in continued employment or a contract of employment. All employees of Lyon County are expected to read and familiarize themselves with the contents of these policies. Each employee is to complete and sign an acknowledgement form to read, understand and abide by these policies. The completed form is to be returned to the Human Resources Department for inclusion into the employee s personnel file. An employee s failure to comply with these policies may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination. All changes, revisions, additions, and notices of deletions to these policies will be made available to all employees Administrative Directive The Human Resources Director shall have the authority and the duty to develop and promulgate administrative directives, interpretive memoranda, and other administrative procedures to execute these policies, and to implement Lyon County s Human Resources program on a consistent basis Change of Address It is the responsibility of each applicant and employee to keep the Human Resources Department of Lyon County informed, in writing, of current address, telephone number, change of name through marriage or otherwise, and any other information relating to employment status. Lyon County Personnel Policies Page 1-1 December 2017

11 1.7. Failure to Receive Notices Written communications or notices required by these policies shall be hand-delivered with written acknowledgement of delivery to or receipt by the employee or sent by certified mail, return receipt required, to the most current address on record. All written communications to applicants shall be hand-delivered, sent by U.S. mail, or to the applicant s address to the most current address/ address shown on the application for employment. Lyon County is not responsible in the event that mail is not received. It is the employee s responsibility to respond to all Lyon County communications, including those mailed to the address on record, and the responsibility of the applicant to follow through with all phases of the selection process within the specified time. Failure to respond for any reason, including failure to receive written notice, may have an adverse effect on an individual s applicant status and/or result in disqualification from the selection and hiring process Personnel Files Contents A master personnel file will be maintained for each employee. An employee s supervisor or department head may elect to maintain a duplicate copy of the documents; however, this does not supersede or eliminate maintaining the master personnel file. At the time of hire, each new employee will complete all government required documentation, all Lyon County required documentation, and, when applicable, documentation pertaining to such matters as benefit plan enrollments and beneficiary designations. Where required, the employee has the responsibility to provide a copy of his/her driver s license or other required license or certificate. Additionally, an employee must report to his/her supervisor or department head of any suspension, restriction, or revocation of his/her driver s license or other required license or certificate. Employees are expected to report any criminal arrests to their supervisor or department head. GUIDELINE: Contents of Personnel Files: The contents of each employee s personnel file should include, at a minimum, the following: Application form and related employment information. Records of changes in pay - salary history. Performance reviews. Disciplinary notices. Listing of positions or classifications held. Training or education records. Emergency notification. Letters of commendation or congratulations. All documentation of employer sponsored benefits. The personnel file should NOT include any of the following: Grievances and Investigative Reports or the responses thereto. The completed I-9 immigration form and supporting documents. General correspondence. Any document which describes a medical or psychological condition of the employee or any other individual. (Medical and related documents should be kept in a separate, locked file to which access is strictly limited to those in a need to know position.) Lyon County Personnel Policies Page 1-2 December 2017

12 Employee Access An employee may inspect the contents of his/her personnel file upon request. All inspections must be conducted in the presence of the Human Resources Director or his/her designee. Copies of the contents may be made, but employees may not remove any documents in the file. Only one (1) set of copies will be provided per year and, if additional copies are needed, the employee will be asked to pay for the copies Negative Information Negative or derogatory material shall not be placed in an employee's file unless the employee has had a reasonable opportunity to review the material. Employees will be required to sign such material to indicate they have reviewed it. If the employee refuses to sign such material, it may be placed in the employee's file with a dated notation that the employee refused to sign such material after being given an opportunity to do so Employee Information Submitted Employees may submit a factual statement in rebuttal to adverse material placed in his/her personnel file. Lyon County may place other information submitted by the employee in the personnel file if it is found that such information is relevant to the employee's work history with Lyon County Verification of Employment Upon request for verification of employment, only dates of employment, base salary, and job titles will be provided. An employee s address or telephone number will not be given without proper authority; i.e., release signed by the employee, court order, or subpoena Confidential Information Identification of Confidential Information The types of personnel information and employment records concerning current employees, former employees, and applicants for employment that Lyon County maintains are confidential, as follows: 1. All information related to an employment application including, but not limited to, letters of reference, résumés, or his/her status as an applicant for employment. 2. All information that Lyon County received or compiled concerning the qualifications of an applicant or an employee including, but not limited to, reports by employers, law enforcement officials, or other individuals concerning the hiring, promotion, performance, conduct, or background of applicants or employees. 3. Ratings, rankings, scoring sheets, or remarks by members of an evaluation board or individual interviewer, concerning an applicant or results from any testing or employment screening process. 4. Materials used in employment examinations including answers, rating guides, score sheets, etc., on any written exam or rating criteria for interviews. Lyon County Personnel Policies Page 1-3 December 2017

13 5. Information in an employee s file or record of employment which relates to his/her: a. Performance; b. Conduct, including any proposed or imposed disciplinary action taken; c. Race, ethnic identity or affiliation, age, gender, marital status, number and names of dependents, military/veteran status, living arrangements, membership in any organization, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, date of birth, or social security number; d. Past or present home address, telephone number, post office box, or relatives; and e. All information concerning the voluntary or involuntary termination of an employee, other than the dates of actual employment. 6. The name of an employee s/former employee s designated beneficiary. 7. All medical information concerning an employee or applicant including, but not limited to: a. Pre-employment and post-employment medical and psychological examinations; b. Disability and documentation relating to reasonable accommodation requested or granted; c. Drug testing; d. Genetic information; e. Pregnancy, doctor s certification and other communication; and f. Any other medical information that an employee or applicant has voluntarily provided or Lyon County has requested. 8. All confidential medical information shall be kept in files segregated from other personnel and employment records. Access to such files shall be strictly limited to those with a demonstrable business need-to-know. This would include: a. Supervisors and managers, regarding necessary restrictions and accommodations in the employee s duties; b. First-aid and safety personnel; c. Government officials investigating compliance with the ADA, on request; d. State workers compensation office officials; and e. Insurance company employees when the company requires a medical examination to provide health or life insurance (29 C.F.R (c)(1)). 9. Notations on attendance records that an employee took sick leave are not confidential records. Lyon County Personnel Policies Page 1-4 December 2017

14 10. All information contained in a confidential investigative file. Lyon County Human Resources shall keep all confidential investigative documentation in files separate from other personnel and employment records ensuring privacy of all employees, witnesses, and other individuals involved. Access is limited to only those individuals with a demonstrable business need-to-know including those outlined within a collective bargaining agreement, state and/or federal laws Access to Confidential Information Access to confidential records is restricted to the following unless specifically provided in a separate policy: 1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, access to the materials for an examination and information relating to an applicant which are relevant to a decision to hire that person is limited to employees with a business need-to-know the information. 2. Access to an employee s file of employment containing those items listed above as confidential is limited to: a. The employee. b. The employee s representative when a signed authorization from the employee is presented. c. Lyon County s Human Resources Director, County Manager, or his/her designated representatives. d. Persons who are authorized pursuant to any state or federal law or an order of court. e. Lyon County District Attorney or counsel retained by Lyon County. f. Arbitrator appointed under a collective bargaining agreement, administrative tribunal, or judicial action where such confidential information is relevant or otherwise related to an employee s claim or to a defense to such employee s claim Disposal of Personal Records 1. NRS 239B.030 states that government agencies shall ensure that personal information, defined as social security numbers, driver s license numbers, or bank account numbers, required to be maintained by state or federal statute and received after January 1, 2007, be maintained in a confidential manner. If the agency has records containing personal information which is not required by specific state or federal statute and the information was received prior to January 1, 2007, the information must be obliterated or removed from documents and computer systems on or before January 1, As of June 1, 2005, and in compliance with the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions (FACT) Act Disposal Rule, Lyon County shall dispose of sensitive information derived from consumer reports to ensure there will be no unauthorized access to or use of any confidential information. Consumer Reports are defined as reports which contain information Lyon County Personnel Policies Page 1-5 December 2017

15 from a consumer reporting company, such as reports obtained from third party agencies who conduct employment background checks on behalf of Lyon County. 3. Sensitive information includes any and all documents containing employee information, which can include: a. Employee name b. Social security number c. Driver s license number d. Phone number e. Physical address f. address g. Any other personal identifiers 4. Method of disposal. Lyon County shall dispose of sensitive information by shredding or burning any and all documents which contain personal information. Although the law specifically applies to consumer reports and the information derived from consumer reports, Lyon County shall, in accordance with good personnel practices, properly dispose of any records containing employee personal or financial information. An electronic record must be destroyed in accordance with the applicable schedule in a manner that ensures the information cannot be retrieved or reconstructed, including, without limitation, overwriting, degaussing and the physical destruction of the storage media. 5. Lyon County will determine whether the disposal of consumer report documents will take place by utilizing an internal process and equipment or by procuring the services of a document destruction contractor to dispose of material that is specifically identified as consumer report information. Lyon County will exercise due diligence to ensure that a contractor disposes of documents as required by law. Due diligence may consist of requiring that the disposal company be certified by a recognized trade association to ensure the disposal company complies with the disposal rule requirements. Lyon County Personnel Policies Page 1-6 December 2017

16 2. EMPLOYEE RELATIONS 2.1. Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Scope Lyon County recognizes the fundamental rights of applicants and employees to be assessed on the basis of merit. Recognition of seniority and current employment with Lyon County may also be considered. Therefore, it is the policy of Lyon County to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. Lyon County does not sanction or tolerate discrimination in any form on the basis of race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, veteran status, or genetic information. Lyon County will: 1. Recruit, hire, train, and promote for all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, veteran status, genetic information, or disability, as well as to ensure that all compensation, benefits, transfers, layoffs, return from layoffs, Lyon County-sponsored training, social, and recreation programs will be administered in conformance with Lyon County s policy. 2. Comply with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination in employment including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972, the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (NRS 613), the applicable Nevada Revised Statutes on Equal Employment Opportunity (NRS 613), and any other applicable federal, state, and local statutory provisions. 3. Provide reasonable accommodation wherever the need for such is known by Lyon County, and/or the applicant or employee indicates a need for such reasonable accommodation, provided that the individual is otherwise qualified to perform the essential functions of the assigned job and the employee s performance of the assigned job duties does not pose a threat to the safety of him/herself or others. 4. Hold all managers and supervisors responsible for ensuring that personnel policies, guidelines, practices, procedures, and activities are in compliance with federal and state fair employment practices, statutes, rules, and regulations. This policy applies to all persons involved in the operation of Lyon County and prohibits harassment, discrimination, and retaliation by any employee, including supervisors and coworkers, customers or clients of Lyon County, and any vendor or other service provider with whom Lyon County has a business relationship. Lyon County will not tolerate instances of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation, whether or not such behavior meets the threshold of unlawful conduct. While single incidents of alleged harassment, discrimination, or retaliation may not be sufficiently severe or pervasive to Lyon County Personnel Policies Page 2-1 December 2017

17 rise to the level of being a violation of the law, Lyon County nevertheless prohibits such conduct and may impose appropriate disciplinary action against any employee engaging in such Equal Employment Opportunity Officer Designated 2.2. Anti-Harassment Policy The primary equal employment opportunity responsibilities rest with the Equal Employment Opportunity Officer. The Equal Employment Opportunity Officer also has the responsibility of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator. The Equal Employment Opportunity Officer shall be designated by the Board of County Commissioners. The name and telephone number of the individual designated will be posted on bulletin boards at Lyon County work sites. Lyon County promotes a productive work environment and does not tolerate verbal, physical, written, or graphical conduct/behavior(s) that harasses, disrupts, or interferes with another s work performance or that creates an intimidating, offensive, or hostile environment based on that person s race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, veteran status, genetic information, domestic partnership, or any other basis that is inappropriate or offensive Prohibited Conduct/Behavior(s) Lyon County will not tolerate any form of harassment, including any conduct/behavior(s) on the part of employees, clients, customers, vendors, contractors, etc., that impairs an employee s ability to perform his/her duties. Examples of prohibited conduct/behavior(s) include, but are not limited to: Offensive verbal communication including slurs, jokes, epithets, derogatory comments, degrading or suggestive words or comments, unwanted sexual advances, invitations, or sexually degrading or suggestive words or comments. Offensive written communication including notes, letters, notices, s, texts, or any other offensive message sent by electronic means. Offensive gestures, expressions and graphics including leering, obscene hand or finger gestures, sexually explicit drawings, derogatory posters, photographs, cartoons, drawings, or displaying sexually suggestive objects or pictures. Physical contact when the action is unwelcomed by recipient including brushing up against someone in an offensive manner, unwanted touching, impeding or blocking normal movement, or interfering with work or movement. Expectations, requests, demands, or pressure for sexual favors. Lyon County Personnel Policies Page 2-2 December 2017