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Voluntary Time Off (VTO)

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Purpose The Voluntary Time Off (VTO) Policy is designed to provide flexible working hours for County employees. This policy allows employees to reduce their time at work by 1%, 2%, 5%, 10%, 15% or 20% without losing many of the benefits available to them. The policy also permits employees to use this time to reduce their work day, work week or schedule blocks of time off. Department Heads are encouraged to review carefully and accommodate as many requests as possible. Approval of a VTO request will not be considered by the County Manager or the Board of Supervisors as an indication of insufficient workload within the department. The policy is intended to reduce County costs and help employees balance their work and family needs. Employees participating in the program will be expected to produce only a fair day's work for the days they are on duty and no excessive workload will be imposed upon those who do not participate. Conditions Eligibility This program is available to full-time permanent employees who request to participate and are approved by their department head. Open Enrollment The County will accept applications for participation in VTO on a continuous basis. The enrollment year is from July through June of the following year. Applications received from April 1 through June 30 will become effective the first pay period of July. Applications received at other times through the year will be effective the pay period following receipt in the Employee & Public Services Department. Amounts of Time for Open Enrollment Eligible employees may request a reduction of 1%, 2%, 5%, 10%, 15% or 20%. The amount of time selected and the schedule of time taken (i.e., reduced work day, work week or scheduled block time off) will be mutually determined by the employee and the Department Head prior to enrollment. All VTO time must be taken before the expiration of the enrollment year; any unused time will not be carried over to the next year and will be lost to the employee. Withdrawal from the Program An employee, whose application-agreement has been approved, cannot withdraw from the program before the enrollment year ends except: if an employee transfers to another department or major division; promotes to a higher classification; or terminates employment. If an employee withdraws prior to the end of the enrollment year, any portion of time used will be computed and any necessary pay adjustments will be made. Review Rights All applications, which are denied, will be reviewed by the Employee and Public Services Director and the County Manager. Impact of VTO on Benefits Employees shall be considered to be in a full-time pay status and the voluntary reduction in work hours will have no effect on the following benefits: Health Insurance coverage Dental Insurance coverage Life Insurance, including accidental death and dismemberment insurance Short-Term Disability Pay for Work Out of Classification (on the basis of hours actually worked) Step increases Probationary Period Seniority There will be no effect on accrual of the following benefits: Vacation Sick Leave Holiday Management Administrative Leave However, all regular or normal time taken off during the program for vacation, sick leave, holiday, compensatory, or management overtime will be affected, in that these hours will be compensated at the reduced hourly rate. The reduction in work hours will have an effect on the following programs: Long Term Disability Overtime   VTO Application & Calculation/Percentage Table