Section 15.  Severance Pay

15.1 Application

Unless herein provided for in Section 15.3, in the event that an employee’s position is abolished and such employee is unable to displace another County employee as provided in Section 14 of this Memorandum of Understanding, such employee shall receive reimbursement of one week of pay for each full year (2080 hours) of regular service to the County, and fifty percent (50%) of the cash value of such employee’s unused sick leave; provided, however that such employee shall be eligible for reimbursement only if the employee remains in the service of the County until his/her services are no longer required by the department head.  The County shall make every effort to secure comparable employment for the displaced employee in other agencies, and if such employment is secured, the employee will not be entitled to the aforementioned reimbursement.

Severance pay as described in Section 15.1 above shall not be denied because a full time employee refuses to take a position which requires twenty-nine (29) hours or less work per week.

15.2 Health Benefits Following Layoff

The County agrees to pay the County premium for nine (9) months of medical coverage for an individual who is laid off.  This coverage is contingent on the following conditions: 

  • the individual has not refused a County job offer;
  • the individual is unemployed;
  • the individual continues to pay their share of the premium and
  • the coverage is for health only and does not cover dental or vision.
  • Such coverage runs concurrently with COBRA and CalCOBRA.

15.3 Education Stipend

If an employee is laid off and not reemployed by the County through a transfer, demotion, or displacement of another employee, the County will pay up to four thousand dollars ($4,000) for tuition or fees in payment for accredited courses or training taken within twelve (12) months of layoff, and taken for the purpose of finding new employment. The administration of this new benefit will be determined by mutual agreement between the County and the Union

2019-09-13