A summary of employment benefits, services and policies for Kings County employees. Human Resources Department 1400 West Lacey Boulevard Hanford California 93230 Publication Date: May 2010 TABLE OF CONTENTS WELCOME TO KINGS COUNTY...........................................................................................4 HANDBOOK INTRODUCTION ..............................................................................................5 THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT ..............................................................................................6 KINGS COUNTY CODE OF ETHICS .....................................................................................8 YOU AND YOUR JOB............................................................................................................9 YOUR ROLE IN PUBLIC SERVICE ............................................................................................9 MERIT SYSTEM .....................................................................................................................9 POSITION CLASSIFICATION ..................................................................................................10 SALARY RESOLUTION..........................................................................................................10 PROBATIONARY PERIOD......................................................................................................11 PERFORMANCE EVALUATION ...............................................................................................11 PROMOTION........................................................................................................................12 TRANSFERS ........................................................................................................................12 VOLUNTARY DEMOTIONS.....................................................................................................13 DISCIPLINARY ACTION .........................................................................................................13 GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE ....................................................................................................14 SEPARATION FROM EMPLOYMENT .......................................................................................14 REINSTATEMENT RIGHTS ....................................................................................................15 PERSONNEL RECORDS........................................................................................................15 MONEY MATTERS...............................................................................................................16 PAY PERIOD/PAY DAYS.......................................................................................................16 DIRECT DEPOSIT.................................................................................................................16 OVERTIME ..........................................................................................................................16 PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS .......................................................................................................17 BILINGUAL PAY ...................................................................................................................17 STANDBY OR CALL BACK DUTY ...........................................................................................17 TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENT TRAVEL PAY...............................................................................17 INSURANCE BENEFITS AND RETIREMENT.....................................................................18 MEDICAL, DENTAL AND VISION INSURANCE ..........................................................................18 INSURANCE ENROLLMENT RESTRICTIONS ............................................................................18 INSURANCE CHANGES – PLANS SELECTIONS, NEW ELIGIBLE DEPENDENTS, ETC...................18 COBRA HEALTH BENEFIT CONTINUATION ...........................................................................19 INSURANCE WHILE ON LEAVE OF ABSENCE .........................................................................19 STATE DISABILITY INSURANCE (SDI)....................................................................................19 RETIREMENT.......................................................................................................................20 RETIREE HEALTH INSURANCE..............................................................................................20 1 TIME OFF .............................................................................................................................21 VACATION LEAVE ................................................................................................................21 DONATIONS OF VACATION LEAVE ........................................................................................21 EXAMINATION LEAVE TO QUALIFY FOR COUNTY POSITIONS ..................................................21 JURY DUTY.........................................................................................................................22 WITNESS LEAVE..................................................................................................................22 MILITARY LEAVE .................................................................................................................22 SICK LEAVE ........................................................................................................................22 Appropriate Uses of Sick Leave.........................................................................................................22 FAMILY ILLNESS SICK LEAVE ..........................................................................................................23 BEREAVEMENT LEAVE.........................................................................................................23 FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE (FMLA) ..................................................................................23 PREGNANCY DISABILITY LEAVE (PDL) .................................................................................23 PAID FAMILY LEAVE (PFL)...................................................................................................24 ATTENDANCE AT CHILD'S SCHOOL (PURSUANT TO EDUCATION CODE §48900.1)..................24 REMEDIAL ACTION BY VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE/SEXUAL ASSAULT ...........................24 VISITATION TO CHILD'S SCHOOL OR DAY CARE FACILITY ......................................................25 VOLUNTEER EMERGENCY RESPONSE LEAVE .......................................................................25 VOTING ..............................................................................................................................25 HOLIDAYS...........................................................................................................................26 COUNTY POLICIES .............................................................................................................27 EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY ...................................................................................27 HARASSMENT POLICY .........................................................................................................27 SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICY ............................................................................................27 DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINT PROCEDURE...........................................................................28 PUBLIC EMPLOYEE OATH ....................................................................................................28 DRUG FREE WORKPLACE....................................................................................................28 SUBSTANCE ABUSE POLICY.................................................................................................29 DRUG AND/OR ALCOHOL TESTING .......................................................................................29 AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT ....................................................................................29 POLITICAL ACTIVITIES .........................................................................................................30 CONFLICT OF INTEREST.......................................................................................................30 GIFTS AND GRATUITIES .......................................................................................................30 TRAVEL WHILE ON COUNTY BUSINESS.................................................................................30 RULES AND REGULATIONS ..............................................................................................31 ATTENDANCE......................................................................................................................31 WORKING HOURS ...............................................................................................................32 MEAL PERIOD AND REST BREAKS........................................................................................32 NO SMOKING POLICY ..........................................................................................................32 DRESS CODE......................................................................................................................32 CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION .....................................................................................33 COMPLIANCE