3.20 Work Hours, Shift Assignments and Time Off

 

Chapter 3
Section 3.20
Subject 3.20 Work Hours, Shift Assignments and Time Off
Effective Date 6/12/2023
  1. Work Hours and Shift Assignments

    1. The Chief Deputy of the Custody Division will review and approve employee schedules assigned to the Juvenile Hall.  Approval of schedules include consideration of the factors described in sub-sections A (4) through A (7). 

    2. In May and November of each year, officers will submit two schedule preferences, one for each end of the week. 

    3. SDPO schedules will be reviewed every January and/or if a new SDPO is   assigned to Juvenile Hall.

    4. Employees will be assigned to established designated shifts based on the operational needs of the facility.  These needs include minimum staffing patterns, population, appropriate gender coverage, and other Title 15 requirements.

    5. Other work times may be assigned with 24-hour notice to meet the needs of the facility or to assure the completion of transportation assignments, mandated department training, staff meetings, etc.

    6. The needs of the operation of the facility are considered to be paramount and will be used as the final standard of judgment for resolving any disputes related to scheduling.

    7. Also included in determining shift assignments are, in order of priority.

      1. Seniority at the Juvenile Hall.

      2. Time served on existing shifts.
      3. Time since last change in shift assignment.
  2. Schedule Rotation and Posting: Staff schedules shall be prepared two times per year and posted at least thirty (30) days in advance.  Schedules shall show both permanent and extra help officers.
    1. Security:  The master quarterly schedule is kept on the Probation Department Intranet.  It is not to be modified nor changed in any way by anyone but the Chief Deputy of the Custody Division, or the Supervising Deputy Probation Officers.
    2. Call Back: Employees on call-back status who are directed to report to the facility shall receive a minimum of two hours’ pay.
  3. Extra-Help Staff: Extra help staff will:
    1. Be scheduled to work on as equal a basis as possible.
    2. Be paid at least two hours if called to work.
    3. Have their schedule changed as seldom as possible and with as much advance notice as possible.
    4. Be allowed time off if arranged and approved in advance.
    5. Be considered to be available at any time unless a prior arrangement is made (such as school scheduling).
  4. Employee Request for Accrued Leave
    1. Employees requesting to use accrued leave time shall make the request using the “Leave Request E-form.”  This provides for documentation of the request and subsequent approval.  Completed “Leave Request E-forms” shall be submitted to the designated Supervising Deputy Probation Officer for approval.
    2. The approval of accrued leave time requests shall be based upon the ability to provide sufficient coverage to meet the needs of the facility.  In cases of multiple requests for the same time period off, approval will be based on, and considered in this order:
      1. Facility mandates and needs
        1. staffing levels
        2. Title 15 requirements
        3. Training
      2. The date and time the request was received
      3. Seniority
    3. “Seniority” is based on length of time employed in the employee’s current job class.  If an employee’s request for time off is granted, and later a more senior employee requests the same time off, the less senior employee’s request shall be honored.
    4. No more than 1 officer will initially be given the same day off. 
    5. Officers are responsible for knowing their leave balances and making appropriate requests for time off.
  5. Request procedure
    1. Annually, on Dec 1st, Juvenile Services Officers will choose up to 80 hours of vacation time for the following year (January 2-Janary 1) in order of seniority.
    2. After all officers have chosen their time off, any officer with additional leave balances may select additional time off in order of seniority.
    3. Officers may request to be off 2 of the 4 major holidays: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, New Years, and the Fourth of July.
    4. Additional requests should be submitted as soon as reasonably possible.    
    5. Leave requests will be responded to within 10 calendar days.
    6. Request for time off made less than 10 business days prior to the date of requested absence, will be responded to as soon as reasonably possible.
    7. The Master Calendar will be posted in the designated SDPO’s office.
  6. Sick Leave: When a staff calls in sick, they must give as much notice as possible and do so to the on-duty or on-call Supervising Deputy Probation Officer.   Supervisors calling in sick must do so to the Chief Deputy of the Custody Division.
  7. Shift Swapping
    1. Short periods of time off may be authorized through “shift swapping.”  Such swaps shall be authorized only within a pay period as entered on the timecards. 
    2. Swapping of shifts must be by mutual agreement, be within the same job classification, and have prior authorization of a Supervising Deputy Probation Officer.