Skip to content
The Employee Relations Division plans and conducts labor negotiations, implements labor agreements, and assists managers and supervisors with employee issues, including corrective action.
Employee & Labor Relations
Primary Navigation Menu
Menu
  • Home
  • COVID-19
  • Resources
    • MOUs & Resolutions
      • AFSCME MOU
      • BCTC MOU
      • Confidential Resolution
      • CNA MOU
      • DSA-Sworn Safety MOU
      • Extra Help MOU
      • LEU (DSA Non-Safety) MOU
      • Management Resolution
      • OSS MOU
      • SEIU MOU
      • SMCCE MOU
      • UAPD MOU
      • Unrepresented Attorney Resolution
      • Probation & Detention Association (PDA)
    • Employee Relations Handbook
      • 1. Introduction to the Employee Relations Handbook
      • 2. Documentation
      • 3. Probationary Periods
      • 4. Introduction to Performance & Conduct
      • 5. The Skelly Process
      • 6. Performance
      • 7. Conduct
      • 8. Conducting Employee Investigations
      • 9. Tardiness & Absenteeism
      • 10. Employee Assistance Program
      • 11. Overview – Grievances & Appeals
      • 12. The Grievance Process
      • 13. The Civil Service Appeal Process
      • 14. Classified & Unclassified Employment
      • 15. Seniority & Layoffs
      • 16. Work Schedules
      • 17. Leaves of Absence
      • 18. Labor Relations
      • 19. Reference Checks
    • Limited Term Employee Handbook
    • County Policy
      • COVID-19 Policy
      • Admin Memos
      • Civil Service Rules
      • County Ordinance Code
      • Master Salary Ordinance
    • Procedures
      • COVID-19 Procedure
    • Training
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us
  • About Us

Classified

2015-04-01
In 14. Classified & Unclassified Employment

Classified and Unclassified Employees – Comparison of Terms and Conditions of Employment

CLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED Recruitment & Selection Covered by the provisions of the Civil Service Rules specifying the manner that recruitment and hiring is carried out. Not covered by the Civil Service Rules. Department heads are encouraged to follow the normal processes used for classified positions. Layoff Layoffs are governed by the Civil Service Rules and are generally done in reverse order of seniority. Employees serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority and can be removed at any time for any non-discriminatory reason. Seniority does not control the order of staff reductions. Union Representation Can be represented. If represented, can file grievances on any provision ofRead More →

2015-04-01
In 14. Classified & Unclassified Employment

Do retirement benefits or obligations for classified employees differ from those of unclassified employees?

There is no difference in retirement benefits or obligations based on classified or unclassified status.Read More →

2015-04-01
In 14. Classified & Unclassified Employment

Do health benefits for classified employees differ from those of unclassified employees?

There is no difference in health, dental, vision, or life insurance benefits based on classified or unclassified status.Read More →

2015-04-01
In 14. Classified & Unclassified Employment

If a person in a classified position wants to take an unclassified position, what happens?

An employee who moves from classified to unclassified service must resign from the classified service. This means that all rights in the classified service are terminated at that point. Sick leave, vacation balances and accruals, retirement benefits, and health benefits are not affected by the resignation from the classified service. These benefits continue to accrue as though there has been no change in employment status. There is also a provision in the County Ordinance Code stating that employees may be granted a leave of absence for a maximum period of four years to accept a position in the unclassified service. Upon termination of employment inRead More →

2015-04-01
In 14. Classified & Unclassified Employment

If a person is in an unclassified position can he/she transfer to classified positions?

Persons in unclassified positions, who previously held a classified position and who did not have a break in County service between the classified and unclassified appointments, are eligible to transfer to classified County positions, consistent with the Civil Service Rules governing transfers.Read More →

2015-04-01
In 14. Classified & Unclassified Employment

Can a person in an unclassified position take County examinations for classified positions? Can he/she take promotional examinations?

All persons in unclassified positions can compete for classified positions any time that an Open or Open and Promotional recruitment is conducted. Persons in unclassified positions, who previously held classified status without a break in County service between the classified and unclassified appointments, are eligible to compete in promotional examinations provided they have at least six months total classified and unclassified service prior to the final date to file an application. Persons in unclassified positions in specific departments, who previously held classified status without a break in County service between the classified and unclassified appointments, are eligible to compete for Departmental Promotional Only examinations provided theyRead More →

2015-04-01
In 14. Classified & Unclassified Employment

What happens if a position is changed from unclassified to classified?

Section 14 of Civil Service Commission Rule XI states that the County may appoint, without examination, unclassified employees to classified positions under the following conditions: The unclassified position had been grant-funded and the County has elected to continue the program; or the unclassified position had been established for a short-time project and the County has elected to continue the activity; and The employee has held the position for at least one year in a satisfactory capacity; and The employee was hired into the unclassified position from an eligible list; and The Human Resources Department Director has determined the proper classification for the position. If theseRead More →

2015-04-01
In 14. Classified & Unclassified Employment

What happens if a position is changed from classified to unclassified?

If a filled classified position is changed to unclassified, it is considered a layoff subject to the provisions in the Civil Service Rules and Memoranda of Understanding.Read More →

2015-04-01
In 14. Classified & Unclassified Employment

How are people hired into the unclassified service?

Departments may use hiring processes similar to those used for classified positions and may even make appointments to unclassified positions from classified employment lists. Departments are strongly encouraged to do so for positions impacted by the passage of Measure D.Read More →

2015-04-01
In 14. Classified & Unclassified Employment

Why are there classified and unclassified employees in the same jobs?

This occurs when some employees are performing ongoing work and other employees are hired to perform similar work for a limited duration or under a grant. For example, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services has a core of permanent positions but also periodically receives grants for special projects. The employees hired to perform the grant work are commonly in the unclassified service.Read More →

2015-04-01
In 14. Classified & Unclassified Employment

Measure D

In 2004, San Mateo County voters resoundingly approved Measure D by a 19-point margin. Measure D provides that no employee may serve in an unclassified position for longer than three years. If an employee remains unclassified for over three years, he/she will automatically become part of the classified service and become subject to the standard provisions of the County’s Civil Service Rules.Read More →

2015-04-01
In 14. Classified & Unclassified Employment

Who decides what positions are unclassified?

Section 502 of the County Charter designates all positions as classified unless they are specifically exempted. The positions that are exempted are: The County Manager and one principal assistant. Department heads. Persons employed to render professional, scientific, technical, or expert services on a temporary basis for a specific project. Resident physicians employed in clinics, institutions, and hospitals. Persons required possessing a license to practice law. Two deputy sheriffs in the office of the Sheriff. Special officers or investigators in the offices of the Sheriff and the District Attorney. One person holding a confidential position to each elected board or commission, including the Board of Supervisors.Read More →

2015-04-01
In 14. Classified & Unclassified Employment

Why are positions unclassified?

Section 502.b of the County Charter provides that a variety of positions are unclassified to facilitate administration of County functions. Unclassified employees are considered at-will and can be removed from their position at any time and for any non-discriminatory reason that the appointing authority deems appropriate.Read More →

2015-04-01
In 14. Classified & Unclassified Employment

Classified and Unclassified Employment

Some of the most commonly asked questions concerning the differences and similarities between classified and unclassified employment are listed below. This information is a guide, and individual situations should be reviewed with your assigned Personnel Analyst.Read More →

   
Get it on Google Play

Designed using Chromatic. Powered by WordPress.