HOURS OF WORK AND OVERTIME Section 29.1 General Provisions This Article is intended to define the normal hours of work per day or per week in effect at the time of execution of this Agreement. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as preventing the Employer from restructuring the normal work day or work week for the purpose of promoting efficiency or improving services, from establishing the work schedules of employees, or from establishing part-time positions. This Article shall not be construed as a guarantee of work per week nor as a restriction on the Employer’s right to require overtime. Section 29.2 Work Schedules Work schedules for bargaining unit employees will be arranged by the Employer so that the regularly scheduled work week shall consist of forty (40) hours based on five (5) consecutive eight (8) hour work days and two (2) consecutive days off or four (4) consecutive ten (10) hour days and three (3) consecutive days off or based upon twelve (12) hour shifts. The days off may be modified when an employee’s schedule or assignment is modified. The Employer shall designate the start of the work week and work day, but shall not change the starting time to avoid the payment of overtime. In the event the Employer implements a 12-hour shift schedule, it shall provide thirty (30) days’ notice to employees. Section 29.3 Lunch Period Each member of the bargaining unit may take one-half (1/2) hour for a lunch period each shift. Each member may also take two (2) fifteen (15) minute breaks each shift. In the event an employee is assigned a 12-hour shift, the employee shall receive an additional fifteen (15) minute break. Scheduling all such breaks are subject to the workload and members must respond to emergency calls when on any break. Section 29.4 Overtime All members shall be paid 1.5 times their hourly rate for any overtime worked beyond forty (40) hours of work actually worked. Overtime shall be paid for those hours actually worked in excess of forty (40) hours in a seven (7) day work period. However, employees assigned to work a 12-hour shift shall be paid 1.5 times their hourly rate for any overtime worked beyond 80 hours actually worked in a fourteen (14) day work period. For those employees assigned to an alternative workweek, overtime shall be paid for those hours actually worked in excess of the hours of the employee’s regularly scheduled workweek. Those times a member is not at work or is released from work shall not be considered hours actually worked. Only vacation and regular hours actually worked count toward the break-over point after which overtime is paid. Court time outside regularly scheduled work hours in off duty contract employment will not be counted. Section 29.5 Call-Out, Court Time and Charge Filing Time “Call-out” occurs when a supervisor specifically requests a member of the bargaining unit to return to work to do unscheduled, unforeseen, or emergency work after the member has left work upon the completion of the regular day’s work, but before he is scheduled to return to work. “Court time” is that time required by the County for any job-connected court appearance that does not abut an employee’s regularly scheduled work hours. Employees shall not be eligible for multiple call-out, court and charge filing time compensation occurring within the same four (4) hour period. “Charge filing time” is that time required to file charges with the Law Director or County Prosecutor and for consultation with either on a case in which the bargaining unit employee is involved. When a member is engaged in call-out, court or charge-filing time, he or she shall be paid a minimum of three (3) hours pay at the applicable rate or he shall be paid for the actual hours worked at the applicable rate, whichever is greater unless the call-out, court or charge-filing time occurs on the employee’s regularly scheduled day off or preapproved vacation day, then the employee shall be paid a minimum of four (4) hours pay at his/her regular rate or he/she shall be paid the actual hours worked at the applicable rate, whichever is greater. If the employee receives the minimum payment, it shall be included as hours worked for overtime purposes. Section 29.6 Overtime Scheduling To the extent practical, excluding investigations, Honor Guard, Dive Team, Negotiations Team and S. W. A. T., overtime opportunities will be offered among qualified bargaining unit members within the same classification on a first-come basis scheduled consistent with Power Details, or similar scheduling software. Inability to work a pre- scheduled overtime assignment due to death in the family will not require the member to charge such absence against sick leave.
Overtime Meals When employees are required to work more than two (2) hours beyond their regular work days, the Employer will provide hot meals at no cost to the employees, up to a maximum of sixteen dollars ($16.00) (receipts to be submitted) plus paid meal periods of one-half (1/2) hour at the prevailing rate and thereafter at four (4) hour intervals. Any early morning start before regular starting time is entitled to a paid meal. The breakfast limit is thirteen dollars ($13.00) (receipts to be submitted). Employees called out on overtime shall be paid for meals as above, after four (4) hours work.