County Policy

Board of Supervisors’ Commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity The Board of Supervisors of the County of San Mateo takes this opportunity to express its philosophy that an essential component of excellence in County government is the diversity of its community. As a result of our long- standing commitment to equal employment opportunity, the County of San Mateo has become a model of diversity among public sector entities. We recognize, welcome, and appreciate our diverse and multi-cultural workforce. Our diversity allows us to respond to the needs of our customers in a more effective and culturally sensitive manner and provides a reflection of the community weRead More →

Memo revised on November 18, 2021 If you have questions or concerns about this policy, please contact your department’s County Counsel representative. The following are examples of inappropriate and appropriate activities. This is not an exhaustive list. DON’T County officials and employees may not: Distribute campaign literature through the County’s internal mail system. Place campaign literature on employee bulletin boards, on the County’s website, or elsewhere on County government premises. Make public appearances speaking in favor of a ballot measure or candidate during compensated work hours. Make telephone calls about a campaign during compensated work hours. Walk precincts, draft campaign ads, or perform other campaignRead More →

Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights Act Government Code Sections 3300-3312 3300 – Title This chapter is known and may be cited as the Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights Act. 3301 – Definition; Legislative findings and declaration For purposes of this chapter, the term public safety officer means all peace officers specified in Sections 830.1, 830.2, 830.3, 830.31, 830.32, 830.33, except subdivision (e), 830.34, 830.35, except subdivision ©, 830.36, 830.37, 830.38, 830.4, and 830.5 of the Penal Code. The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the rights and protections provided to peace officers under this chapter constitute a matter of statewide concern.Read More →

OVERVIEW Section 2.75.020 of the San Mateo County Ordinance Code require that each Department Head formulate rules relating to incompatible activities and outside employment.  The purpose of the rules is to prohibit County employees from engaging in any employment, activity, or enterprise which is inconsistent, incompatible, in conflict with, or inimical to the duties imposed on such employees by virtue of their employment with the County of San Mateo.  These rules are promulgated in addition to the Conflict of Interest Code that applies to designated employees.  Such employees must submit annual statements of economic interests as required. Incompatible Activities Signature Form Assessor-Clerk-Recorder County Counsel Child SupportRead More →

Policy approved by the Board of Supervisors on January 9, 2001 If you have questions or concerns about this policy, please contact Employee & Labor Relations See also: Report of Incident or Unsafe Condition Form I. POLICY A. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to: Establish a strong commitment to provide a safe work environment free of violence and threats of violence in all the facilities of the County of San Mateo; Heighten awareness of domestic violence and use early prevention strategies to avoid or minimize the occurrence and effects of domestic violence in the workplace; Provide for training and education of all employeesRead More →

GENERAL. Medical authorities and rehabilitation specialists agree that most temporarily disabled employees benefit both psychologically and physically from returning to work at the earliest feasible date. The concept of returning injured employees to work early under a temporary modified work assignment is an underlying philosophy of the Workers’ Compensation system. Supervisors demonstrate interest in disabled employees and recognize the importance and contribution of these employees by arranging meaningful work at the earliest medically feasible date. Injured employees can quickly recognize when they are being ignored by supervisors who do not want to be bothered. Such experiences are humiliating and could directly contribute to extended recuperation periods.Read More →

San Mateo County encourages the use of teleworking as a viable, voluntary option for County employees. San Mateo County Departments are encouraged to review their operations, if appropriate,  and establish a formal telework program for their department, as successful telework programs are tailored to the environment in which they operate. The County recognizes the benefits of telework, including: Boosting employee morale and productivity; Promoting options for employees to effectively balance work-life commitments; Providing an additional employee recruitment and retention tool and increasing the County’s competitive advantages by positioning the County as “an employer of choice”; Boosting employee job satisfaction; Reducing absenteeism; Increasing the County’s abilityRead More →

Purpose The Smoking Pollution Control ordinance prohibits smoking in all County offices. Smoking by a County employee in a County building at any time may result in disciplinary action. Accommodation for Smokers Appropriate outdoor accommodations, including benches, receptacles and overhead shelters, are provided. For some buildings and work areas next to buildings with no overhangs, smoking shelters have been installed. Employee Complaints If you have a complaint about a co-worker who smokes in your building, notify your supervisor verbally or in writing immediately. Resources for Quitting Smoking It’s tough to be a smoker in an increasingly smoke-free world. The County is strongly committed to yourRead More →

The California Occupational Safety and Health Administration, CAL/OSHA Title 8, Section 5144 and Section 5199 require that San Mateo County develop a respiratory protection plan to maintain a safe and healthy work environment. The plan has been developed to provide guidelines to employees to minimize the risk of occupational diseases caused by breathing air contaminated with harmful dusts, fogs, fumes, gases, smokes, sprays, or aerosols. This respiratory protection plan focuses on source control, control of the environment, safe work practice habits and respiratory protection devices. When effective engineering or administrative controls are not feasible or practical, or in emergency situations, the use of personal respiratoryRead More →

If you have questions or concerns about this policy, please contact Employee & Labor Relations Policy revised on March 29, 1999 Any County employee who is convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor subsequent to employment must report such conviction to the Employee Relations Division of Employee and Public Services within seventy-two hours of the conviction. A conviction will not necessarily result in dismissal. Each conviction will be reviewed/investigated to determine if it is substantially related to the responsibilities of the job prior to making a determination about potential action. Failure to report a conviction within seventy-two hours of the conviction may result in disciplinaryRead More →

Policy created on April 28, 2003 If you have questions or concerns about this policy, please contact your Ron Davis at 650-573-2054. I. PURPOSE The County of San Mateo has adopted this Sanction Policy to comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 and the federal regulations promulgated there under as well as the California Confidentiality of Medical Information Act. There are several countywide (E-Mail Policy, Internet Usage, and Information Systems Security among others) and departmental policies that require officers and employees to protect information that is considered private, confidential or sensitive. These policies provide that failure to adhere to themRead More →

If you have questions or concerns about this policy, please contact the ISD Help Desk at 650-363-4108. I.      INTRODUCTION Overview Policy created on April 28, 2003 This  policy  outlines  the  proper  use  of portable  computers  and  portable  computing  devices available to or used by County of San Mateo employees in support of their assigned duties. Background In recent years an increasing number of County employees have acquired access to portable computers to enhance their work. Additional y new portable computing technologies, including Personal Data Assistants (PDA), have become common with employees uploading and downloading County information to these devices. In some cases these tools, bothRead More →

All County of San Mateo Employees, Attached is a new one-time notice that is being sent to you in accordance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010 (sometimes referred to as “Obamacare”). This notice, designed by the Federal Department of Labor, is intended to inform you about the following: Effective January 1, 2014, every U.S. citizen and legal resident will be required to obtain qualifying health insurance coverage. This requirement is referred to as the “individual mandate”. The health insurance coverage must meet certain minimum standards. The health plans offered by the County of San Mateo meet the standards required byRead More →

On July 27, 2004, the Board of Supervisors adopted the County’s “Whistleblower Ordinance” establishing procedures for the reporting of improper governmental activity.  The County Manager’s Administrative Memo C-5 provides further guidance on the County’s reporting process. On November 20, 2012, and February 12, 2013, the Board of Supervisors approved additional funding to enhance the County’s efforts to eliminate suspected improper governmental activity by, among other things, establishing a “Whistleblower Hotline” as well as a web-based reporting system and developing an ethics training program for all County employees. Related Links File a complaint online at www.reportlineweb.com/smcgov San Mateo County Ordinance Code Sections 2.14.060 through 2.14.100 SanRead More →

Policy & Procedures for Participating in Online Training Programs (Approved by Executive Council, January 26, 2009) POLICY STATEMENT: San Mateo County encourages and supports employees to participate in online training programs in order to promote employee development, partnership, and organizational enrichment. BACKGROUND: The County initiated online training programs with the mandated AB1825 training on Preventing Sexual Harassment in 2005. Due to the success of that program, the County has expanded its online offerings in conjunction with the implementation of the County’s Learning Management System in 2007. A variety of programs is offered in the online format, including Introduction to Employee Development Plans ATKS Since itRead More →

Building and maintaining a safe working environment for County employees and the public requires more than just this Plan. It requires the active and constructive participation of all employees at all levels and in all aspects of County service. There are many opportunities to make a contribution to workplace safety whether serving on a committee, helping to identify and correct an Occupational Health and Safety problem, implementing a new program or policy, or educating oneself. Help us meet the challenge of keeping San Mateo County a safe and healthy place to work. Occupational Health & Safety Plan 2012-2016Read More →

Date Established, January 01, 2005 Only for Sheriff’s Safety / Probation Safety Retirement members and extra help employees COUNTY OF SAN MATEO STATEMENT CONCERNING YOUR EMPLOYMENT IN A JOB NOT COVERED BY SOCIAL SECURITY Employee Name:______________________________ Employee ID:____________ Your earnings from this job are not covered under Social Security. When you retire, or if you become disabled, you may receive a pension based on earnings from this job. If you do, and you are also entitled to a benefit from Social Security based on either your own work or the work of your husband or wife, or former husband or wife, your pension may affectRead More →

I, _________________________, do solemnly swear (or affirm)  that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of California; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties upon which I am about to enter. Loyalty Oath Signature FormRead More →

Policy revised on: March 24, 2003 If you have questions or concerns about this policy, please contact the ISD Help Desk at 650-363-4108 I. INTRODUCTION Overview This policy outlines the proper use of Information Technology resources owned or operated by the County of San Mateo and establishes standards for the base configuration and operation of those resources. The policy applies to employees, contractors, consultants, temporary and other workers at County offices, including all persons affiliated with third parties. The policy applies to all computer equipment and related devices owned or operated by San Mateo County, to all computers and communications devices not owned or operatedRead More →

The purpose of the County’s written Hazard Communication Plan is to comply with Cal/OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard and to guide departments in the development of their site-specific Hazard Communication Programs. Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) Presentations are based on the fourth revised edition of the GHS (GHS Rev.4) and have been prepared by the UNECE secretariat Hazard Communication Program-Including GHS Updates-2013Read More →

Statement of Policy: San Mateo County provides leave to eligible employees in accordance with the Federal Family and Medial Leave Act (FMLA) and the California Family Rights Act (CFRA) as well as the County’s other leave policies.  Unless otherwise provided by this policy, “leave” under this policy shall mean leave pursuant to the FMLA and CFRA. ELIGIBILITY FOR FMLA/CFRA LEAVE: If you have been employed by the County of San Mateo for at least 12 months and you have worked at least 1,250 hours during the 12 months immediately preceding your leave, you are covered by the provisions of FMLA/CFRA.  If you are an employeeRead More →

As an employer, San Mateo County has the responsibility to minimize hazards in the workplace. This policy sets forth accepted guidelines for personal computer and video display terminal (VDT) use. It updates information and guidance for the proper selection and use of equipment based on changing technology as well as increased knowledge and experience to assist in assuring employee health and safety. Ergonomic Office Standards – 2014 Ergonomic Evaluation Form for San Mateo County Employees Department Ergonomic Coordinator List – July 2014 Ergonomic Policy for Computer Operations – 2014Read More →

The goal of this policy is to encourage and increase the use of environmentally preferable products and services in San Mateo County. By including environmental considerations in procurement decisions, San Mateo County can promote practices that improve public and worker health, conserve natural resources, and reward environmentally conscious manufacturers, while remaining fiscally responsible. The policy objectives are to: Expand the procurement of environmentally preferable products; Identify environmentally preferable alternatives; Recommend as goals for San Mateo County operations, the adoption of alternative processes, where practicable, that will reduce the use and disposal of hazardous substances as well as promote resource conservation; and Collect and maintain up-to-dateRead More →

This policy establishes when an electronic or facsimile signature may replace a hand-written (wet) signature, with the goal of encouraging the use of paperless, electronic documents whenever appropriate. This policy applies to all signatures used in processing independent contracts and requests for proposals as well as internal communications, routing slips, external correspondence, and other official activities. However, this policy does not require any department to use electronic signatures. Electronic and Facsimile Signatures: Administrative Memo B-29Read More →

San Mateo County CODE OF ETHICAL CONDUCT In furtherance of the County’s Mission Statement, this Code of Ethical Conduct is designed to provide guidance and standards for County employees so they may serve the public to the best of their abilities while holding themselves accountable to the highest standards of government. As an employee of the County of San Mateo, you are required to know, understand and abide by this Code of Ethical Conduct and the principles and policies contained herein. OUR MISSION San Mateo County government protects and enhances the health, safety, welfare, and natural resources of the community; and provides quality services thatRead More →