HomeMy WebLinkAbout05. Approve proposed revision to BP 031 - Use of Temporary Employees Page 1 of 4
Item 5.
CENTRAL SAN BOARD OF DIRECTORS
POSITION PAPER
MEETINGDATE: JULY16, 2020
SUBJECT: APPROVE PROPOSED REVISION TO BOARD POLICY NO. BP 031 — USE
OF TEMPORA RY EMPL 0 YEES
SUBMITTED BY: INITIATING DEPARTMENT:
KATIE YOUNG, SECRETARY OF THE SECRETARYOF THE DISTRICT
DISTRICT
REVIEWED BY: TEJI O'MALLEY HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER
Roger S. Bailey
General Manager
ISSUE
Staff has been directed to present existing Board Policies to the Administration Committee for biennial
review. When changes are proposed, they are scheduled for consideration by the full Board.
BACKGROUND
September 12, 2019 -Biennial Review
On September 12, 2019, Board Policy No. BP 031 — Use of Temporary Employees was presented to
the Administration Committee for biennial review. Staff proposed the addition of one sentence that would
require General Manager approval for hiring temporary employees, which simply codifies current practice.
See Attachment 1 for the Policy with the new sentence appearing in blue.
Employee Rick Hernandez attended the September 12 Committee meeting and said he had no problem
with adding the proposed sentence; however, he expressed concern that the temporary employee
program was sometimes being used as part of the recruitment process. Below is an excerpt from the
September 12 Committee minutes summarizing Mr. Hernandez'comments:
July 16, 2020 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 19 of 393 Amended Agenda
Page 2 of 4
The practice of using temps to fill vacant, non-entry-level positions until someone is recruited can
be problematic because it can give the temp an edge over current employees who may be
seeking to advance. He said it can be used as a "back door"means of getting someone in place
who will have an opportunity to be groomed for the position.
Mr. Hernandez recommended striking from the Policy the third and fourth bulleted reasons for using
temporary employees (succession planning/retirements and backfilling vacant positions while awaiting a
recruitment) pending further discussion. The Committee recommended bringing the matter back for further
discussion and requested an overview of the recruitment process at that time.
March 3, 2020- Overview of Recruitment Process
On March 3, 2020, Human Resources Manager Teji O'Malley presented an overview of the recruitment
process to the Committee, which included the rules and regulations that govern public sector recruitment
processes and practices, Central San's recruitment process, and pertinent provisions of Central San's
Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs). The meeting was attended by Mr. Hernandez and Local One
Representative Winston Ingram.
Mr. Hernandez expressed concern about past practices and internal candidates not having the same
chance as someone who has been filling in as a temporary employee. A lengthy discussion took place
regarding the process of recruiting permanent hires for vacant positions. Another concern of Mr.
Hernandez'was the use of provisional employees instead of internal employees. Ms. O'Malley explained
that the process of using provisional appointments has drastically reduced during her tenure. They are
used sparingly and a Manager must justify that not filling the vacancy on a provisional basis would result in
an operationally adverse impact.
Mr. Ingram, representing Local One, said he was comfortable with the information provided by Ms.
O'Malley and would share her presentation with Local One's Executive Committee.
Given that the presentation was meant as a discussion item only, no recommendation was sought from the
Committee with respect to any proposed changes to BP 031.
Complete Biennial Review Process for BP 031
At this time, staff wishes to finalize the biennial review of BP 031 by proposing the same revision that had
been proposed last September. (See Attachment 1.) Ms. O'Malley received confirmation from Local
One on June 16, 2020 that it was comfortable with the proposed revision.
ALTERNATIVES/CONSIDERATIONS
The Board could choose not to approve the proposed change or could propose other changes.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
None.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
This matter was reviewed by the Administration Committee on September 19, 2019, March 3, 2020, and
June 16, 2020. The Committee recommended Board approval.
July 16, 2020 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 20 of 393
Page 3 of 4
RECOMMENDED BOARD ACTION
Approve proposed revision to Board Policy No. BP 031 — Use of Temporary Employees, effective
immediately.
Strategic Plan re-In
GOAL FOUR: Workforce Development
Strategy 1—Proactively plan for future operational staffing needs
ATTACHMENTS:
1. BP 031 (in strikeout)
July 16, 2020 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 21 of 393
Page 4 of 4
Number: BP 031
Authority: Board of Directors
Effective: August 3, 2017
Revised:
Reviewed:
Initiating Dept./Div.: Operations/Human Resources ' CENTRALSAN
BOARD POLICY
USE OF TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES
PURPOSE
To adopt a policy regarding the District's use of temporary employees.
POLICY
The District may use temporary employees for reasons such as those listed below:
• Backfilling for authorized leaves of absence
• Addressing peaks in workload
• Succession planning/retirements
• Backfilling vacant positions while awaiting a recruitment
• Assistance with special projects of a limited duration
• Seasonal work
The Department Director and the Human Resources Division will evaluate each request
to ensure that it meets either one of the following criteria prior to approval:
• Not filling the position on a temporary basis would result in an adverse impact to
District operations.
• It would not be cost effective to hire a permanent employee to perform the
requested services.
After each request is evaluated, final approval must be granted by the General
Manager.
[Original Retained by the Secretary of the District]
July 16, 2020 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 22 of 393