ARTICLE XI
VACATION PLAN
11.1 Eligibility: All employees in the Bargaining Unit shall earn paid vacation time under this Article. Vacation benefits are earned on a fiscal year basis, July 1-June 30.
11.2 Paid Vacation: Except as otherwise provided in this Article, paid vacation shall be granted no later than January 31 of the fiscal year immediately following the fiscal year in which it is earned. Any vacation hours not used prior to February 1 following the fiscal year in which they were earned may be carried over with the permission of the Director of Personnel. When desired by the employee, the paid vacation may be granted in the fiscal year in which it is earned.
11.3 Vacation: No vacation shall be granted during the first twelve (12) months of employment; however, on successful completion thereof, vacation time shall be allowed for time of service, including the probationary period. Under certain circumstances, and only for the convenience of the department, a vacation may be granted an employee during the probationary period. If a probationary employee uses vacation and then is dismissed, the amount of money paid to the employee for the unearned vacation shall be deducted from the final check.
- 11.3.1 Full-time employees who are employed for twelve (12) months in any fiscal year shall be entitled to 120 hours vacation with full pay. Vacation is computed at 10 hours for each calendar month of service in which more than one-half of the month's normal working hours (87) have been in paid status.
- 11.3.2 After an employee has served in the District for ten (10) consecutive years, he/she shall be entitled to 160 hours vacation per year with full pay, which shall accumulate at the rate of 13.34 hours for each calendar month in which more than 87 work hours have been in paid status.
- 11.3.3 Vacation shall not be taken by an employee before earned by service to the District. Exceptions may be granted at the convenience of the Chief of Police upon the approval of the Personnel Director.
- 11.3.4 Requests for vacation from public safety employees must be submitted to the Chief of Police a ccording to established directives and filed with the Office of Personnel Services at least two weeks prior to the requested vacation.
- 11.3.5 If the District is closed for any purpose, unit members may be required to take vacation time, earned compensatory time, or leave without pay during this period.
- 11.3.6 A Bargaining Unit employee who resigns, retires, is dismissed, or whose position is terminated, and who has earned vacation time credit, shall be paid at the regular rate of such vacation at the time earned upon such resignation, retirement, dismissal or termination. Cash payment for accumulated vacation shall be paid at the rate earned.
11.4 Vacation Pay: Pay for vacation hours for all Bargaining Unit employees shall be the same as that which the employee would have received had he/she been in a working status.
11.5 Vacation Postponement:
- 11.5.1 If a twelve (12) month employee's vacation become due during a period when he/she is on leave due to illness or injury, he/she may request that his/her vacation date be changed, and the district shall grant such request in accordance with vacation dates available at that time. If no such dates are available, the vacation may be taken in the following fiscal year.
- 11.5.2 If for any reason a Bargaining Unit employee is not permitted to take all or any part of his/her annual vacation, the amount not taken shall be accumulated for use in the following year.
- 11.5.3 Holidays: When a holiday falls during the scheduled vacation of any Bargaining Unit employee, such employee shall be granted an additional day's vacation and pay for each holiday falling within that period.
11.6 Vacation Scheduling:
- 11.6.1 Vacation shall be scheduled at times convenient to the District. Requests for vacation must be approved by the Chief of Police and submitted to the office of Personnel Services at least two weeks prior to the requested leave.
- 11.6.2 If there is any conflict between employees who are working on the same or similar operations as to when vacations shall be taken, the employee who has been with the District for the longest period of time shall be given his/her preference.
11.7 Interruption of Vacation: An employee in the Bargaining Unit shall be permitted to interrupt or terminate vacation in order to begin another type of paid leave provided by this Agreement without a return to active service, provided the employee supplies notice and supporting information regarding the basis for such interruption or termination.