Separation Pay 11.1 Upon separation, eligible employees may choose either Option A or Option B.
11.2 Option A - Upon separation from the service by resignation, layoff, expiration of a leave of absence or death, a permanent employee, their designated beneficiary, or their estate shall be paid one-half (1/2) of all unused accumulated sick leave days provided:
(1) That at the time of separation, the employee has at least four hundred and eighty (480) hours of accumulated sick leave to their credit.
(2) That at the time of separation from the County service, the employee must have been employed by the County in the classified service for at least ten (10) years prior to their separation, except that this section shall not apply to an employee whose cause of separation is death, layoff, whose position has been abolished, or who was required to retire from service under provisions of a compulsory retirement law.
(3) An employee who is laid off or whose position has been abolished shall have the option of waiting until their eligibility for reinstatement expires before applying for separation pay.
(4) That the rate of payment shall be based upon the regular hourly salary of the employee, in their permanent classification, at the time of separation. Separation as used in this rule means the last working day of the employee in the classified service.
(5) That in the event an employee has been separated and paid for such accumulated sick leave and subsequently is re-employed, their sick leave shall be calculated as though they were a new employee.
(6) Effective January 1, 2008, the maximum allowance shall not exceed $13,000 for any on employee.
11.3 Option B - Upon separation from the service by resignation, layoff, expiration of a leave of absence or death, a permanent employee with at least twenty (20) years (41,600 hours) of service, their designated beneficiary, or their estate shall be paid according to the schedule below, to a maximum of $7,000 effective January 1, 2008. An employee who is laid off or whose position has been abolished shall have the option of waiting until their eligibility for reinstatement expires before applying for separation pay: (no exceptions to 20 year requirement) Effective January 1, 2008: $210 per year for the first 1-10 years of service $280 per year for years 11-20 $350 per year for years over 20
11.4 That no classified employee who is on a leave of absence to accept a position in the exempt service of the County shall be eligible for separation pay until their employment is finally terminated.
Educational Reimbursement
9.10.1. The Employer is desirous of having employees participate in courses and training opportunities to enhance their skills and enable them to advance to other positions. Accordingly, it shall be the Employer's goal to assist full-time, regular employees in the furtherance of this policy by offering a tuition reimbursement program for courses or training at accredited colleges and universities.
9.10.2. To qualify for reimbursement, the employee must make application to, and receive prior approval from, the Sheriff such approval shall be at the sole discretion of the Sheriff.
9.10.3. An employee requesting tuition reimbursement must submit a written application showing:
a) The course curriculum description;
b) dates and times of classes;
c) duration of the course;
d) narrative statement of how the course will benefit the Employer as well as the employee.
9.10.4. If an employee's application is approved, the reimbursement will be for tuition only if and when:
a) The course is completed within six (6) months of approval;
b) completed with a "pass" in a pass/fail grading system or a grade of "C" or better. The maximum reimbursement per credit will be the cost of a credit charged by Centralia College.
9.10.5. An employee who receives tuition reimbursement agrees to continue to work for the Employer for twelve (12) months following the completion of the course; if not, the reimbursement is pro-rated and the employee authorizes reimbursement to the Employer from the last paycheck issued. An employee who is unable to remain in the Employer's employment, due to circumstances beyond the employee's control, shall not be required to reimburse the Employer if the twelve (12) month period is not met.
9.10.6. Reimbursement shall be for actual tuition, or the cost of the course. All other expenses, such as travel and books, shall be borne by the employee.
