Benefits

Office & Clerical
(Benefit Category 003)

General information
Pay
Leave of absence
Benefits
Insurance
Personnel actions
Retirement
Training and education
Miscellaneous

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UNIT CODE	003
UNIT REPRESENTATIVE	American Federation of State, County, & Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Local 2960
APPROX. # EMPLOYEES	2,688
COMPOSED OF	Office employees in clerical and pre-professional classes Citywide.
AGREEMENT IN FORCE	7/1/2008 - 6/30/2010
SALARY PLAN	006
CHANGE FROM 2007 - 2008	1.7% effective 7/14/2008
STEP PROGRESSION	9 step range 6 months at Step 1, then 1 year between steps
WORKING HOURS	5 eight-hour shifts or 4 ten-hour shifts in 7 days, exceptions as noted. (Art. 4) (AR 2.14)
BENEFIT CATEGORY Return to top	003
PAY
BILINGUAL PAY	$50 per month when authorized, certified, and required to use bilingual skills. (Art. 3)
CALL OUT (CALL BACK)	3 hours @ 1 ½ x Regular Rate (Art. 3)
CAR INSURANCE ALLOWANCE	City will pay to certain employees $12 per month for automobile insurance expenses (Art. 5)
COMPENSATORY TIME LIMITATION	195 hours. May be paid up to 60 hours twice per year for annual max of 120 hours. (Art. 3) (AR 2.21)
COURT INTERPRETATION & TRANSLATION	$4 per half-day when exceeds 15-minute minimum, for sustained, word-for-word oral and written assignments. (AR 2.241)
LONGEVITY PAY	Qualify: 6 years continuous service. 1 year at top step. Performance meets job requirements. $96.25 ($125 for employees with 20 years up to the 29th year) semi-annually for each year in excess of 5 years up to and including 19th year. (Art. 3) Semi-annual max = $1,347.50/$3,000 Annual max = $2,695/$6,000 Qual: 6/30/08, 11/17/08, 6/29/09 Paid: 7/18/08, 12/5/08, 7/17/09 Qualifications for longevity pay are made in the base class and will not be affected by movement into or out of assignment positions or positions within the same pay range. (AR. 2.19)
MILEAGE ALLOWANCE	50.5 cents per mile 1/1/2008 - 6/30/2008 58.5 cents per mile 7/1/2008 - 12/31/2008 55.0 cents per mile effective 1/1/2009 (AR 6.21)
OUT-OF-CLASS	Qualifying period of 10 shifts in 24 months; 6 hours minimum per shift. (Art. 3) (AR 2.20)
OVERTIME	1 ½ x Regular Rate for over 8 hours/shift or 40 hours/week or over 10 hours/shift or 40 hours/week if on a 4-10 schedule. (3-hour minimum when called out after shift or while on standby.) (Art. 3)
PAY FOR PART-TIME EMPLOYEES	Part-time employees, (excluding seasonal and temporary employees) may be considered for advancement from pay step 1 to step 2 after completing 1,040 hours of work in step 1. Advancement from pay step 2 to step 3 and each subsequent step in a grade may be considered after 2,080 hours in each step. (Pay Ord. 11m) When working a City holiday, part-time employees, who are non-exempt, shall be paid 1½ x Regular Rate for time worked, up to a max of 8 hours (AR 2.11).
SHIFT DIFFERENTIAL	$0.60 per hour - 2nd $0.80 per hour - 3rd (Art. 3)
LIBRARY - SHIFT DIFFERENTIAL	$0.60 per hour for shift ending at or after 9 p.m. (AR 2.21)
SHOW-UP	4 hours minimum (Art. 3)
STANDBY	$3.00 per hour (Art. 3)
COURT STANDBY	$25.00 per day when subject to call. (Art. 3)
UNIFORMS/CLOTHING ALLOWANCE Return to top	Provided for certain employees (Art. 5) (AR 2.261)
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE	Up to 3 days for death of immediate family member with additional time for air travel if out-of-state. (Personnel Rule 15g)
FAMILY LEAVE	Up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave upon the birth/adoption of a child or to care for a seriously ill immediate family member. (Personnel Rule 15e5)
Dependent Care	Up to 5 incidents/40 hours of unscheduled accumulated vacation or compensatory time per calendar year for the dependent care of an immediate family member without the leave being considered a negative factor. (AR 2.30)
Emergency Family Care	Up to 1 shift (8 or 10 hours) of unscheduled sick leave per incident for sudden illness or accident of an immediate family member, or up to 5 days or 40 hours (additional 2 days if out-of-state travel required) per incident for care of an immediate family member experiencing life threatening illness or injury. (AR 2.30) (Personnel Rule 15)
Non-Emergency Family Care	Up to 10 hours per calendar year of accumulated sick leave may be used for the care of an immediate family member. (Art. 5)
Family Leave Management	Employees shall be limited to a maximum of 7 incidents total per calendar year for the combination of Dependent, Emergency, and Non-Emergency Family Care without the leave being considered a negative factor (unless the leave qualifies as FMLA leave). (AR 2.30)
FAMILY/MEDICAL LEAVE	Up to 12 weeks for the birth/adoption of a child, to take care of a seriously ill immediate family member, or employee's serious health condition. This includes maternity leave taken. (AR 2.143) (Personnel Rule 15c7)
HOLIDAYS & PERSONAL LEAVE	11 ½ legal holidays*, 2 personal leave days. 6-month wait for new employees to take personal leave time. (Art. 5) (AR 2.11)
Christmas Eve ½ Day Holiday	* The Christmas Eve half-day holiday is granted only when December 24 falls on the employee's regularly scheduled work day. In the case of continuous or 7-day operations, holidays shall be observed only on the calendar days on which they fall. (AR 2.11)
JURY DUTY	No loss of regular pay -- may keep jury pay. (Art. 3)
MILITARY TRAINING	An employee must be given time off for up to 240 hours/30 days in any two consecutive years. For National Guard and Military Reserve, only workdays are counted. (AR 2.39)
SICK LEAVE	10 hours per month, unlimited accumulation. (Personnel Rule 15c) (AR 2.30)
See also "SICK LEAVE PAYOUT AT RETIREMENT" below	Upon the in-line-of-duty death of a City employee, the City will pay the full cash value of accrued sick leave existing at the time of the employee's death. (Pay Ord. 20j)
VACATION	Years of Service Monthly Accrual Rate (based on 8-hour days) Maximum Carryover Maximum Accrual That Can Be Compensated at Separation 0-5th 8 hours 192 hours 240 hours 6th-10th 10 hours 240 hours 300 hours 11th-15th 11 hours 264 hours 330 hours 16th-20th 13 hours 312 hours 390 hours 21st+ 15 hours 360 hours 450 hours New employees must wait 6 months before using vacation. (Personnel Rule 15b) (AR 2.18)
VACATION SELL BACK	May be paid up to 40 hours twice per year for an annual max of 80 hours after accumulation of minimum 120 hours of vacation leave, contingent on use of a minimum of 40 hours of vacation/comp-time during the same calendar year. (Art. 5) (Pay Ord. 17e)
VOTING TIME OFF Return to top	Maximum time allowable is time necessary to provide 3 consecutive hours between opening of polls and start of work or end of work and closing of polls, as required by state law. Must be requested in writing to supervisor three days prior. (AR 2.16)
BENEFITS
BEHAVIORAL/MENTAL HEALTH	Provided under one of the three medical insurance plans: CIGNA HMO -- services provided by CIGNA Behavioral Health, (800) 343-2183 Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO -- services provided by Biodyne, (800) 224-2125 Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO -- services provided by BCBS of Arizona, (800) 232-2345
CHILD CARE -- MONTHLY FINANCIAL AID	Monthly assistance with childcare expenses for City employees with a gross household income of $32,500 or less, and one or more children younger than 13 living in the home. Other qualifying criteria will also apply; participants must reapply annually. For information or an application, call the Benefits Office at (602) 262-4777.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN - 457	Program provides employees with voluntary investment options designed to supplement income at retirement. Employees may choose to defer the lesser of 100% of includable income for 457 deferrals, or $16,500 during calendar year 2009. Contact Nationwide Retirement Solutions at www.phoenixdcp.com or (602) 266-2733, or call the Benefits Office at (602) 256-3282.
DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN - 401(a)	Program provides employees with additional option for tax-deferred retirement savings. Eligible employees may make personal contributions to the City 401(a) Plan by electing to defer a designated percentage of their salary to the Plan. 401(a) personal contribution elections are irrevocable. For active employees, the 2009 annual maximum is $49,000. Contact Nationwide Retirement Solutions at www.phoenixdcp.com or (602) 266-2733, or call the Benefits Office at (602) 256-3282. City contributes to 401(a) on employee’s behalf an amount equal to 0.1% of employee’s base annual salary. (Pay Ord. 19c)
ELDER CARE	Referrals, in-home assessments, transition care management, care management, counseling, and consultations for City employees, retirees, and their immediate family members. Call EAP Preferred at (602) 264-4600.
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)	Professional counseling for full and part-time employees for personal, family, and work-related problems, and Supervisor Referrals for work performance issues. Confidential counseling services for personal and work-related problems are available to employees and their immediate household members. For information about EAP counseling services or to schedule an appointment, call the contracted EAP provider, EAP Preferred at (602) 534-5433*. Supervisors who want to consult with the EAP about an employee’s work performance issues or have questions about a supervisor referral to the EAP can call EAP Preferred at (602) 534-5433 or the City EAP Coordinator at (602) 262-7216. *All Fire Department Employees and their families call Ron Tapscott at (602) 495-7551 or the contracted EAP provider, CONTACT Behavioral Health Services, at (602) 993-6077 or (800) 222-8335. Fire supervisors who want to consult with the EAP about an employee’s work performance issues or have questions about a supervisor referral to the EAP also can call Ron Tapscott.
FLEXIBLE REIMBURSEMENT ACCOUNT PROGRAM (FLEXRAP)	Flexible Spending Accounts provide pre-tax dollars for eligible health care and dependent care expenses. Call the Benefits Office at (602) 495-5710.
HOUSING DISCOUNT PROGRAMS	The "Welcome to Phoenix" and "Make Phoenix Home" programs are designed to offer discounts on mortgage financing as well as exclusive housing discounts for City employees who purchase a primary residence within the City of Phoenix boundaries. Call Chase Manhattan Mortgage Corporation at (602) 956-6454 for information or mortgage programs. Call the Benefits Office at (602) 262-4777 for a listing of builders participating in the Housing Discount Program.
PREPAID LEGAL PLAN	Provides employees and their families access to legal representation at an affordable price. While not all legal services are covered, the reasonable monthly rate allows employees to have an “attorney on retainer.” Coverage includes wills, powers of attorney, living wills, trusts, and other personal legal services. Contact Hyatt Legal Plans at www.legalplans.com or  (800) 821-6400, or call the Benefits Office at (602) 262-4777.
BUS/LIGHT RAIL CARD	Free (100% subsidized) bus/light rail card (Platinum Pass) available to all part-time and full-time employees. Contact your payroll clerk, or call Central Payroll at (602) 262-6555.
EMERGENCY RIDE HOME PROGRAM Return to top	Provides cab vouchers for employees who ride the bus, car-pool, van-pool, bike or walk to and from work at least three days a week. For more information call the Public Works Department, Transportation Coordination at (602) 262-7119.
INSURANCE
INSURANCE FOR PART-TIME EMPLOYEES	Year-round part-time employees can become eligible for commuter life insurance only after working 12 consecutive months, with at least 24 pay periods with hours worked/paid. Refer to the SelectCare® Life and AD&D Benefits booklet.
MEDICAL INSURANCE ACTIVE EMPLOYEES	City pays 80% of the monthly premium ($345.96 per month for employee-only SelectCare® HMO medical coverage and $996.96 per month for family SelectCare® HMO medical coverage) ($363.80 per month for employee-only SelectCare® PPO medical coverage and $1,048.48 per month for family SelectCare® PPO medical coverage). (Office/Clerical employees at range 320 and below and enrolled in City medical insurance plan will receive a supplemental allowance of $66.50 twice a year, paid in August and February). (Art. 5)
MEDICAL INSURANCE SURVIVORS OF BENEFIT- ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES	City pays 100% of monthly premium to continue existing medical insurance coverage for dependents of deceased benefit-eligible employees due to in-line-of-duty death, limitations apply. (Pay Ord. 20i) (AR 2.451)
DENTAL INSURANCE	City pays 100% of the monthly premium ($43.28 per month) for employee-only coverage and 75% of the monthly premium ($89.84 per month) for family coverage for either SelectCare® indemnity dental coverage with a $2,000 annual benefit maximum or SelectCare® prepaid dental coverage with no annual benefit maximum.
LIFE INSURANCE (City coverage includes a provision for continuation of term group life under certain conditions.)	City pays for greater of 1x base annual salary or $25,000 basic life, same basic life amount for accidental death & dismemberment, and $75,000 on-duty protection; employees may purchase additional coverage for themselves and their dependents. (Art. 5)
COMMUTATION POLICY	City provides coverage for employees commuting directly between home and their job location. Employees have a $200,000 death benefit and a reduced dismemberment benefit, if the accident occurs within two hours of leaving their home or work. In the event of such death, the City will pay the full monthly medical insurance premium to continue existing coverage for the surviving spouse or qualified domestic partner and eligible dependents. Part-time employees (excluding seasonal & temporary) may qualify for this benefit. Refer to the SelectCare® Life and AD&D Benefits booklet for eligibility requirements. (AR 2.451)
INDUSTRIAL INSURANCE	Industrial insurance pays 2/3 of base wage up to $3,000 per month and for first year City pays remaining to equal regular net take-home pay. (AR 2.32)
LONG-TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE	66 2/3% of base wage, starting after 3 months, continuing to age 80. (Art. 5)
LIFE AND LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE	Effective January 2009, the City contributes to the Union $6 per month per full-time employee for this Union-administered insurance. (Art. 5)
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE Return to top	When unemployment is beyond the control of the employee, terminated individual is entitled to apply for benefits from the Arizona Department of Economic Security.
RETIREMENT
RETIREMENT PROGRAM	General employees are covered by Social Security and the City of Phoenix Employees Retirement System (COPERS). Employee contributes 5% of total wages, while City’s contribution is based on actuarial need. To qualify: age 60 with 10 or more yrs of service; age 62 with 5 or more yrs of service; combined age and credited service equals 80 (“rule of 80”); or if totally and permanently disabled after 10 yrs of service (no minimum service requirement if duty-related). Pension is calculated on highest 3 consecutive yrs of the last 10 yrs salary, and total time of service. The benefit increment is 2% for each year up to 32 ½ yrs of credited service and for all unused sick leave. The benefit increase for credited service in excess of 32 ½ yrs is at a lesser rate of 1% each year between 32 ½ and 35 ½ and ½ % each year thereafter. Employees may purchase or transfer eligible service credit in other public retirement systems and active duty military service to be used towards City of Phoenix retirement. Employees may also purchase previous eligible COPERS membership, City of Phoenix full-time temporary and job-share employment. Call the Retirement Office at (602) 534-4400 for additional information. Credited service for unused sick leave will exclude any sick leave hours compensated through the Sick Leave Payout at Retirement program (see below). (AR 2.441)
MEDICAL EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT PLAN (MERP)	Employees eligible to retire in 15 years or less from August 1, 2007, will receive a monthly subsidy from the City’s Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan (MERP) when they retire, just as current retirees do. The monthly subsidy checks are generated through the Personnel Department’s Benefits Office. If you have City health insurance coverage as a retiree, the City will reduce the health insurance premium deducted from your pension check with Qualified City Contribution ranging from $90 to $325, depending upon your type of coverage. Any questions regarding MERP should be directed to the Benefits Office at (602) 262-4777. City pays up to $202 per month to benefit-eligible retirees. An additional contribution is calculated if gross annualized pension amount is $25,000 or less. The City also contributes an amount between $90 and $375, which may include a $50 City credit for family coverage. These credits are applied directly to the retiree's premium deduction. Employees retiring on or after 7/1/07 receive additional $100/month if enrolled in City's family coverage until retiree reaches age 65.
POST EMPLOYMENT HEALTH PLAN (PEHP)	This is a 100% employer-paid benefit. Program provides employees eligible to retire in more than 15 years from August 1, 2007, who have a payroll deduction for City medical insurance coverage (single or family) with a PEHP account. This account is to be used by the employee when he/she retires or separates employment with the City for qualified medical expenses (including health insurance premiums). The current administrator of the City’s PEHP is Nationwide Retirement Solutions. Any questions regarding PEHP should be directed to Nationwide at (602) 266-2733 or toll-free at (877) 677-3678.
SICK LEAVE PAYOUT AT RETIREMENT Return to top	Upon retirement, employees with a minimum of 750 hours of accrued and unused sick leave, excluding the first 250 hours, may elect to be paid for up to 25% of the unused hours at base hourly wage. (Art. 3) (AR 2.441)
TRAINING AND EDUCATION
TRAINING	Entry and periodic job-related training may be required. Other special training available based on supervisor's recommendation (see Employee Training and Development Catalog). Some employees will be reimbursed on a one-time basis only for expenses incurred as a result of passing a required certification test. (Art. 5)
TUITION REIMBURSEMENT	Maximum payment shall be equal to full-time Arizona tuition charged at Arizona State University for two semesters. (AR 2.51) FY 2008 - 2009 fund maximum is $5,410.
Textbooks and Lab Fees:	Full-time employees who are eligible for tuition reimbursement are eligible for reimbursement of up to $175 of the total tuition fund for textbooks and lab fees associated with classes submitted for reimbursement. (AR 2.51)
Seminar reimbursement: Return to top	Employees in classifications at Grade 324 and above may use up to $150 of the above tuition fund for City-related memberships, and to attend one-day, in-state, City-related seminars and training. (Art. 5)
MISCELLANEOUS
CAREER CONSULTATION	Career consultation services available to City employees. For information call the Personnel Department, Employment Services at (602) 495-5703.
JOB INFORMATION	Job titles and descriptions, rates of pay, and benefits information are available at www.phoenix.gov. Information on jobs currently open for recruitment is available at www.phoenix.gov or the Job Line at (602) 534-5627.
PARKING	Low-cost parking available to car-pools and van-pools in downtown area. Other spaces available on first-come, first-served basis with cost comparable to other similarly located lots. Call the Public Works Department, Employee Parking at (602) 262-7119.
SUGGESTION PROGRAM Return to top	Cash (up to $3,500) and other awards are given for suggestions that improve productivity or cut costs. For information, call the Personnel Department, Employee Development at (602) 262-6401. (AR 2.27)
PERSONNEL ACTIONS
CIVIL SERVICE APPEAL	Employees have 14 days after notice of dismissal, suspension, or demotion to answer charges and request hearing. Probationary employees are exempt unless they have completed 12 months of continuous full-time service. Unclassified employees also exempt. Call the Personnel Department, Personnel Administration at (602) 262-6609. (Personnel Rules 10 and 22)
EEO CONFLICT RESOLUTION	Complaint concerning discrimination as a result of race, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, or national origin. Also applies to applicants. Call the Equal Opportunity Department at (602) 262-7716. (AR 2.35 and 2.35A)
GRIEVANCE	Complaint concerning interpretation or application of rules and regulations governing personnel practices, departmental work rules, working conditions, or alleged improper treatment of an employee. Call Labor Relations at (602) 262-6607. (AR 2.61) (Personnel Rule 22h) (Art. 2)
OTHER APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS	Personnel Rules Administrative Regulations Pay Plan Meet & Confer Ordinance PERB Rules and Regulations Management Procedures Personnel Department Letters City Manager Letters

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