901 Separation From Employment

Separation occurs when an employee leaves the payroll for reasons indicated below or because of death.  The employee's separation (termination) date should be the actual last day worked; it may not be on a County holiday, unless the holiday is an actual work day for the employee.

Types of Separations

Voluntary Separations

An employee may terminate his services with the County by submitting a resignation to his immediate supervisor.  However, if an employee absents himself for three (3) consecutive days without notification, the employee will have, in effect, voluntarily terminated his employment with the County because he is unavailable for work and on leave without approval.

Retirement is considered to be a voluntary separation.  An employee may terminate his services with the County by submitting a request for retirement to his immediate supervisor.

Involuntary Separations

Dismissal is involuntary separation and shall be made in accordance with the provisions of Section 700, DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS.  A dismissal may be initiated by the County Manager or department heads of agencies subject to the State Personnel Act for failure to perform duties or for violation of rules and policy, including personal misconduct.  Dismissal for personal misconduct requires neither advance notice nor pay in lieu of notice.  Terminal pay covers only the days actually worked and any accrued benefits owed to the employee.  All pay to which an employee is entitled will be paid the following payday.

Dismissal During Probationary Period

A new employee serving probation (or a former employee who was re-employed subject to a completion of probation) may be dismissed at the will of the department head.

New or reinstated employees serving probation shall have no right to appeal dismissal action except in a case involving alleged discrimination.

Revised 12/1/92

Separation Due to Mental or Physical Disability

An employee may be separated from employment for disability when he cannot perform required duties because of physical or mental impairment. Action may be initiated by the employee or the

County, but in all cases it must be supported by medical evidence certified by a competent physician.  The County may require an examination at its expense to be performed by a physician of its choice.  Before an employee is separated for disability, efforts shall be made to provide a reasonable accommodation within the County.

Separation Procedure

Voluntary Separation

A written notice of resignation or retirement must be submitted by the employee to his immediate supervisor with a copy to the Human Resources Director at least two (2) weeks before the last day of work and whenever possible at least four (4) weeks before the last day of work.

An employee who, without good cause, fails to give two (2) weeks' written notice will forfeit lump sum annual leave payment.  In addition, he shall not receive his final paycheck until all County property and equipment in his possession is returned to his department head.

Involuntary Separations

The County Manager must approve all dismissals, except for employees excluded from coverage as identified in Section 104, EXCLUSIONS FROM COVERAGE.  There must be a private conference with the employee to discuss:

Revised 07/16/02