401-K Supplemental Retirement
Upon successful completion of a six month probationary period, the County will contribute three percent (3%) of the employee’s annual salary into a state and federal tax sheltered 401(k) plan administered by Prudential (5% for law enforcement officers). Employees may elect to contribute up to 80% of their salary, not to exceed $15,500 in 2008 through payroll deduction. Upon termination of employment with the County, the employee may close the 401-k account and withdraw the funds, or the account may be held in suspension. Contributions to the fund may only be made by payroll deduction, therefore, an individual leaving employment with the County would not be able to continue contributing to the fund.
Benefits of the plan include deferred state and federal taxes, 100% vested immediately, choice of investment options, loan provisions, and solid retirement savings.
For information, you may call (1-866-624-0151) or visit their web site at
www.nc401k.prudential.com
Civil Leave
Employees are given leave with pay to serve jury duty. This will not be charged against leave time. Employees are entitled to any juror' pay received, plus your regular County salary for the period. If an employee attends court:
- As part of their job, no leave is required. However, any court fees received must be turned into the County.
- Due to a subpoena as a witness (except as a plaintiff or defendant), an employee may be given leave with pay. Any fees received may be retained by the employee.
Credit Union
Rowan County employees are eligible to join the Local Government Credit Union. The Credit Union is a cooperative, member owned financial institution that is operated by and for the benefit of Local Government Employees and their families. Deposits made in the Credit Union are insured up to $100,000 by the NCUA (National Credit Union Administration), a federal agency. The Credit Union offers a wide variety of financial services to meet our needs. There are branches and Automatic Teller Machines located throughout North Carolina. Services include:
Statement Savings Direct Deposit
Share Drafts Wire Transfers
Money Market Savings Home Mortgage Loans
Loan Services Travelers Checks
Free Notary Services Certificates of Deposit
VISA Card Automated Teller Machine
Individual Retirement Accounts On-line Banking
You may contact the local branch in Salisbury at 704-633-7005 regarding services. On-line banking is available at www.lgcu.org or by calling 1-888-732-8562.
Dental Plan
EFFECTIVE 7/1/2008:
CITIZENS SECURITY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
P.O. Box 436149
Louisville, KY 40253-6149
1-800-843-7752 ext. 696
Dental Insurance is available to employees through a pre-tax deduction.
MONTHLY PREMIUMS
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$26.70
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$53.42
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$63.14
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$88.14
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POLICY PROVISIONS
- $50 annual (Calendar Year) deductible
- Maximum of 3 deductibles per family per calendar year
- Annual Maximum Individual Payment $1,000
- Benefit payments are subject to usual and customary
PREVENTATIVE CARE BENEFITS (100% with no deductible)
- Oral examinations
- Unlimited Cleanings
- Fluoride Treatment
- Sealants
- X-rays (Full Mouth and Bitewing)
- Space Maintainers
BASIC CARE BENEFITS (80% and subject to deductible)
- Emergency Care Treatment
- Simple Restorative
- Simple Extractions
- Bridge, Denture Repair
MAJOR RESTORATIVE BENEFITS (50% and subject to deductible & 24month waiting period
- Inlays, Onlays
- Crowns
- Briddges/Dentures
- Endodontics
- Periodontics
- Surgical Extractions
- Oral Surgery
- Anesthesia
ORTHODONIA SERVICES (50% and Subject to Deductible & 24 month waiting period)
For dependent children under 19 years of age
Lifetime Maximum of $1,000
Direct Deposit
Direct deposit is required for all new employees. Payroll checks may be deposited at any participating banking establishment. Once your check is set up for direct deposit, it cannot be changed. You may, however, change your direct deposit to a different banking institution.
Discounts
DISCOUNT TICKETS are available in Human Resources for the following attractions:
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BILTMORE ESTATE
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Adults $36.00
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Children (6-16) $15.00
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INTIMIDATORS BASEBALL GAMES
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Skybox (12 seats)
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Free if available
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CAROWINDS
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Adults $33.99
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EMERALD POINTE WATER PARK
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Adults $24.00
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Child under 48" $16.00
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NORTH CAROLINA ZOO
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Adults $8.50
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Children (2-12) $4.50
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WE ACCEPT A PERSONAL CHECK, MONEY ORDER, OR EXACT CHANGE.
DISCOUNT COUPONS are available for the following attractions:
- Sea World
- Tweetsie Railroad
DISCOUNTS are available at the following local businesses:
- DRY CLEANERS
- M & S Cleaners, W. Innes St., Salisbury 10%
- Vogue Cleaners, Long St., Salisbury 10%
- WMS Cleaners, W. Jake Alexander Blvd., Salisbury 20%
FITNESS CENTERS
- The Forum
- YMCA
- HAIR SALONS
- A Cut Above, W. Innes St., Salisbury ($1.00 off)
OPTOMETRY
- Optometric Eye Care, Statesville Blvd., Salisbury (20%)
RESTAURANTS
- Casa Grande, Alexander Blvd., Salisbury (10%)
- Christo’s, E. Innes St., Salisbury (10% Lunch Only)
- Porky’s BBQ, 1309 N. Main St., China Grove (20% 9am-5pm)
- Uncle Buck's, 929 S. Main St., Salisbury (10%)
- Village Inn, 2142 Statesville Blvd., Salisbury (10%)
A Rowan County ID Card may be necessary to obtain these Discounts.
Employee Assistance Program
The EAP is a professional, confidential counseling service available to help employees and their family members resolve personal issues and problems before they affect health, family relationships, or job performance. Problems may include marital issues, financial issues, legal, child or elder issues, problems with co-workers, balancing work and family responsibilities, alcohol or drug abuse, or dealing with the every day stresses in life. An employee can speak confidentially with an expert consultant to help clarify his/her issue, sort through their options and contact an effective and affordable resource.
You may call the Employee Assistance Program for assistance 24 hours a day, 365 days by using the toll-free number 1-800-633-3353. Your EAP is a confidential and professional counseling service paid for by Rowan County and provided by McLaughlin Young Employee Services.
Visit their web site at www.advantageworklife.com/login (user name: rowancounty and password: guest). The web site offers confidential online services filled with educational information and content for you and your family. There is access to over 200 issue-specific resource rooms, consultants and interactive tools.
Flexible Spending Accounts
Flexible Spending Accounts allow you to set aside your "before tax" dollars into one or more reimbursement accounts which are similar to savings accounts to reimburse you for expenses not covered by health insurance or for dependent care.
After your spending account has been established, as your expenses occur, you submit a reimbursement claim along with an explanation of benefits if you have insurance, or a bill or receipt if you don’t have insurance. Reimbursement will occur in your payroll check on the next payday; account statements are issued monthly.
It is important to remember that there are two distinct kinds of Flexible Spending Accounts. One is a miscellaneous Medical Reimbursement Account (for medical, dental, and vision expenses NOT paid by insurance). The other is a Dependent Care Reimbursement Account. These accounts are not interchangeable. Money set aside for one account must be used for that account. Expenses must be incurred in the Plan year in which you have the pre-tax deduction.
In planning for your Flexible Spending Accounts, you should be conservative. Plan to include money only for known expenses. At the end of the plan year, any funds not used will be lost.
The plan year for the Flexible Spending Accounts is Jan 1 – Dec 31. You cannot make changes to your Flexible Plan during the plan year unless you have a change in your family status. Changes in family status include: marriage, divorce, legal separation, birth or adoption of a child, death, or changes in spouse’s employment status.
Medical Reimbursement & Dependent Care Allowable Expenses
Funeral Leave
When death occurs to a member of an employee’s immediate family, the employee shall be granted necessary time off for the purpose of attending the funeral. The employee may use accumulated sick leave (maximum 5 days).
Funeral leave will be granted for:
Members of an employee’s immediate family which is limited to the employee’s spouse, child(ren), parent(s), grandparent(s), grandchild(ren), brother(s), sister(s), mother-in-law, father-in-law, brother(s)-in-law, and sister(s)-in-law.
Health Insurance
Rowan County provides a self-insured health plan for active employees which is administered through Primary Physician Care (1-800-472-5001). Employee coverage is provided by the County and dependents’ coverage is available through payroll deduction. The plan is designed to protect employees and their families against catastrophic health expenses beyond the deductible and provide basic health services through their primary care physician. A primary care physician is a general internist, pediatrician, family physician, or gynecologist. Benefits are payable at 100% after a $20.00 co-payment.
SUMMARY PLAN DOCUMENT
Search for In Network Providers
In case of an emergency, you are encouraged to see your Primary Care Physician. When that is not possible, emergency care benefits are payable at 100%, Reasonable & Customary (R & C) after the appropriate co-pay:
Urgent Care Facility Charges: $50 co-pay
Emergency Room Charges: $100 co-pay (waived if admitted)
Major Medical Services are those services that fall outside of primary care services and are subject to a deductible and co-insurance.
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Preferred Physician
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Non-Preferred
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Deductible
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Deductible
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Co-insurance
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Deductible
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Co-insurance
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Individual
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$400
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80%
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$800
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50%
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Family
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$1,200
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80%
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$2,400
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50%
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When a hospital stay is necessary, benefits will be paid as follows with PRE-CERTIFICATION required:
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Preferred
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Non-Preferred
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Co-insurance
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Co-insurance with R&C
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Hospital Charges
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80%
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50%
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Per confinement deductible
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$0
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$200
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Out-of-Area Hospital Charges are paid at 80%
SUBMIT CLAIMS TO:
Primary PhysicianCare, Inc.
PO Box 11088
Charlotte NC 28220-1088
1-800-446-5439
PRESCRIPTIONS
The Prescription Drug benefit utilizes an ID card and a network of participating pharmacies provided by Express Scripts. Participating pharmacies will accept the required co-pay and file your claim directly. One co-pay applies to a maximum 34 day supply. Prescription drug co-pays are as follows:
Generic $5 co-pay Formulary $30 co-pay Brand Name $50 co-pay
List of Formulary Drugs
Express Scripts has a mail service pharmacy program that offers many unique features, including exceptional customer service and innovative clinical features. With Express Scripts, you receive fast, convenient delivery of maintenance medication delivered directly to your home. Express Scripts manages your care by managing costs. When you fill or refill your prescription by mail, you pay only two co-pays for a three-months supply. Forms are available in Human Resources. Visit www.express-scripts.com to learn more.
HEALTH INSURANCE EMPLOYEE COST
Employee $0
Employee/Child $98.00 monthly
Employee/Family $196.00 monthly
HEALTH INSURANCE QUICK REFERENCE SHEET
Holidays
County employees generally observe the following holidays:
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New Year’s Day
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Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday
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Good Friday
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Memorial Day
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Independence Day
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Labor Day
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Veteran's Day
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Thanksgiving (2 days)
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Christmas (2 or 3 days)
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County employees receive 11-12 paid holidays each year. When a holiday is on Saturday, Friday will be taken as the normal holiday. When a holiday is on Sunday, the following Monday will be taken as the normal holiday. Because of the variety of County services, all employees do not observe holidays on the same day. If your work requires a change from the holiday schedule above, your supervisor will tell you. If an employee is required to work on a scheduled holiday, he will receive additional pay equal to one-half of his regular wage. The employee will also receive time off on another day.
2008 HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
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New Year’s Day
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January 1
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Tuesday
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Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday
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January 21
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Monday
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Good Friday
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March 21
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Friday
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Memorial Day
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May 26
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Monday
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Independence Day
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July 4
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Friday
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Labor Day
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September 1
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Monday
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Veteran's Day
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November 11
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Tuesday
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Thanksgiving
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November 27 & 28
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Thursday & Friday
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Christmas
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December 24, 25 & 26
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Wednesday, Thursday & Friday
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Life Insurance
The County provides employees with a $30,000 life insurance policy with ING. Employees may purchase additional term life insurance in $10,000 increments up to $150,000. You may purchase coverage for your spouse in $5,000 increments up to $25,000 coverage and for your children in $2,000 increments up to $10,000 through payroll deduction.
The Local Government Retirement System also provides a Retirement Death Benefit through the Retirement System after one year of service. Refer below to Local Government Retirement for more information.
Local Government Retirement
The County provides benefits for employees and their family in case of disability, retirement, or death after an employee has completed certain service requirements. The benefits are available in addition to Social Security. Employees contribute 6 cents of each dollar earned and no income tax is paid on this until you retire. The County adds almost an equal amount towards your retirement benefits.
After five years, an employee has a "vested interest". This means that if the employee leaves County service, they may leave their contributions in the system and draw a retirement income beginning at age 60. At age 65 and five years of creditable service, at age 60 and 25 years of service, or 30 years in the retirement system at any age, an employee can retire with full benefits.
An employee can retire with reduced benefits after age 50 with 20 years of creditable service, or at age 60 with five years of service.
Law Enforcement Officers can retire with full benefits age 55 with five or more years of service, or 30 years of creditable service at any age. Reduced benefits can be attained by an officer at age 50 with 15 years of creditable service as an officer.
If you cease to be a County employee (except by death or retirement), you may withdraw all your retirement contributions. You will receive interest if you have at least five years in the retirement system. You may receive your contributions 60 days after you receive your final paycheck. Withdrawal will be subject to Federal and State tax withholding and a penalty for early withdrawal.
If you return later to County service, you may buy back this time toward retirement.
Estimate Your Retirement
Form 5 - Application for Retirement Contributions Refund
RETIREMENT DEATH BENEFIT
After one year of employment, members of the Local Government Employees Retirement System automatically are eligible for a death benefit. It is free, but cannot be transferred if you should leave County service. The beneficiary is paid an amount equal to the employee’s highest 12 months' salary in a row during the 24 months before death, but no less than $25,000 and no more than $50,000.
Merit
Rowan County’s Pay for Performance Plan rewards employees for performing their job at an outstanding level. Merit pay is issued annually to employees in the payroll period that includes August 1st.
Employees who have been employed for a year as of June 30th are eligible for an increase in their base salary.
The Rowan County Employee Performance Appraisal requires a minimum numerical rating to be eligible for a merit increase. Employees who have one or more "unsatisfactory" or "needs improvement" ratings are not eligible for merit consideration.
Each year, the Pay For Performance Plan is dependent upon availability of funds budgeted by the County Commissioners
Military Leave
Reservists in the Armed Forces are entitled to leave with pay, not to exceed 80 hours in each calendar year, when order to federal or state duty. The employee must notify their supervisor, in writing, as far in advance as possible of scheduled call-ups or training. A copy of military orders must accompany the employee’s notification to the supervisor or be provided as soon as the employee receives them. Rowan County’s military duty policy is in accordance with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) and subsequent revisions to that law. When employees are activated in the event of a national emergency, they may request the utilization of their accrued vacation and sick leave credits.
Nurse Practitioner Services
An on site Nurse Practitioner is contracted to provide medical services only to employees who are on Rowan County's health insurance policy A Nurse Practitioner is a registered nurse with advanced training in diagnosing and treating illness. Nurse Practitioners prescribe medications, treat illnesses, and administer exams. Nurse Practitioners differ from physicians in that they focus on prevention, wellness, and education. You may schedule an appointment with Rowan County's Nurse Practitioner at the Health Department at 704-216-8843. Current hours for the Nurse Practitioner are as follow:
| Monday |
1:00 - 5:00 pm |
| Tuesday |
8:00 am - 12:00 pm |
| Wednesday |
1:00 - 5:00 pm |
| Thursday |
8:00 am - 12:00 pm |
Personal Leave
Employees are given an opportunity to visit their children or grandchildren in school and other personal events. Four hours of leave per fiscal year (July - June) will be granted. The leave shall be at a mutually agreed upon time between the Department Director and the employee. If possible, the employee should submit a written request at least 48 hours prior to the time of leave.
Service Awards
To reward employees for their years of service, cash gift cards are given to eligible employees on an annual basis. The awards are given for five years of service and in increments of five years thereafter. Years of service are based upon service as of June 30th of the current year.
Sick Leave
Full time and part-time benefited employees accrue .0462 hours for every hour worked. This is an average of 8 hours of sick leave per month for full time employees. EMS employees working a fluctuating work week earn 10.62 hours per month. There is no maximum accumulation of sick leave.
Sick leave may be requested for:
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Personal Illness.
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Death in the immediate family. (The family is defined as spouse, parents, brother, sister, children, grandparents, grandchildren. The step, half, and in-law relationships are included as appropriate based on this listing.)
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Illness of a member of the employee’s immediate family. (The family is defined as spouse, parents, children, mother-in-law, father-in-law, including step relationships. If other dependents are living in the employee’s household, sick leave may also be taken.)
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Actual period of disability connected with childbearing.
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Medical appointments.
Department Directors and/or supervisors may ask an employee to submit a doctor’s certificate to verify sick leave. When an employee retires, accumulated sick leave days can be changed into retirement credits. Twenty sick leave days or a portion thereof equal one’s month’s service. Rowan County will transfer accumulated sick leave to another governmental agency, providing the other agency will accept the time.
Social Security
The County matches the employee's contribution to this Federal Government program. For more information, visit www.ssa.gov.
Vacation
Full time and part-time benefited employees accrue vacation on a bi-weekly basis determined by the number of hours the employee works in the pay period and by the length of County service as follows:
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Years Of Service
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Average Days / Annum (Based on 2080 hours)
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Factor Per Hour Worked
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Less than 2
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10
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.0385
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2 but less than 5
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12
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.0462
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5 but less than 10
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15
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.0577
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10 but less than 15
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18
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.0692
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15 or more
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21 |