Agenda - 11-15-2004-e2 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Temporary Wage Expenditures During the Board of Commissioners' discussion of new position requests in the June budget work sessions, the Board asked staff to provide a report later in the year as to costs for temporary wages, including needs /issues leading to use of temporary staff, how temporary wages are justified and approved, how costs for temporary wages compare to other approaches to addressing staffing needs and the like. This report provides the requested information. Temporary Wages The County provides for two types of employment — Temporary and Permanent. A temporary employee is paid on an hourly basis and does not receive employee benefits. The temporary employee must be paid at least the County's living wage of $9.11 an hour except for high school students or certain others working for educational purposes. Under the County's policy, an employee can be appointed temporary up to one year. A temporary appointment may extend beyond one year if the employee is regularly scheduled to work 15 hours or less each workweek, if the employee is working under an internship program or if the Manager approves an extension to continue critical services. Budget for Temporary Wages Each year the department head recommends as part of his or her budget request any budget for temporary wages. The Budget Office reviews the department request and it also is reviewed in the Manager's budget process. The Manager's Recommended Budget includes the amount recommended for temporary wages and the final amount is included in the adopted budget. Beyond the approved budget for temporary wages, the department may use lapsed salaries as generated by position vacancies in the department. When used, these funds typically are used to provide temporary staffing coverage to continue essential services until a permanent employee can be hired and trained. Under the hiring delays in place for 2004 -05, such funds may only be used with the advance approval of the Budget Office. Temporary Approvals The department head may make a temporary appointment to provide coverage for a vacant permanent position, for the absence on leave of a permanent employee or for one month or less. Any other temporary appointment requires the advance approval of the Personnel Director. The department head submits such a request stating the need and planned use of the temporary.