2113 - Personal Leave Program (PLP) (Historical View)

** Effective: 9/20/2021 4:00:46 PM - 9/22/2021 1:34:32 PM **

Status: Active

Change Notes

This policy is amended due to the PLP 2020 program being abolished.

Category

Leave

Audience List

Synopsis

This policy

Introduction

The Personal Leave Program (PLP) was established July 1, 1992 to achieve savings in employee salary costs during a fiscal crisis. In 2003, 2010, 2012, and 2020 PLP was reinitiated to assist in achieving budget savings to improve the state’s ability to meet its financial obligations. Executive Order S-15-10 was issued implementing various aspects of PLP, but the program was subject to change through collective bargaining which affected the start and end dates of each implementation.

Statement

The most recent implementation of the PLP was effective July 1, 2020. This was in response to the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of the state’s improved fiscal condition, effective July 1, 2021, the PLP 2020 pay reduction and accrual of leave credits ended.

While the program is no longer in effect, departments are required to comply with existing PLP usage requirements. Usage requirements for the PLP may vary by bargaining unit (BU) and the year the program was implemented. The usage requirements for all PLP is outlined in the application section below.

Application

Departments are responsible for the continued monitoring of all PLP leave credits usage. For this reason, departmental Human Resources offices must develop a mechanism to ensure employees are using the leave in accordance with MOU provisions and Department of Human Resources policy. Below is a summary of the required usage for each PLP leave type. However, departments should reference the applicable MOU to ensure compliance.

PLP 2020

Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Bargaining Units 1, 3, 4, 11, 14, 15, 17, 20 and 21 – All employees represented by SEIU may use any unused PLP 2020 in the same manner as vacation/annual leave. Employees are not required to use PLP 2020 prior to using any other leave credits and leave credits do not need to be used prior to separation.

Bargaining Units 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 16, 18, and 19 – Employees are required to use PLP 2020 prior to any other leave credit with the exception of sick leave, professional development days, and other usage only benefits such as bereavement leave and jury duty. The provisions of PLP 2020 usage are the same as the provisions for PLP 2010, PLP 2012, and Furlough hours as shown in the section below. If the language below conflicts with MOU language the MOU shall control.

Excluded Employees – All employees excluded from bargaining may use any unused PLP 2020 in the same manner as vacation/annual leave. Employees are not required to use PLP 2020 prior to using any other leave credits and leave credits do not need to be used prior to separation.

PLP 2012, PLP 2010 and Furlough Hours

All employees are required to use PLP 2012, PLP 2010, and Furlough hours prior to any other leave credit with the exception of sick leave, professional development days, and other usage only benefits such as bereavement leave and jury duty. Employee’s may use these leaves in lieu of sick leave with supervisory approval. The order of leave usage is as follows:

In addition, departments must continue to monitor and ensure that all accrued unused PLP 2020 (where applicable), PLP 2012, PLP 2010, and Furlough hours are exhausted prior to voluntary separation, termination, layoff, separation from state service (e.g., retirement), or other personnel actions such as rejection on probation or dismissal. 

Whenever feasible, an employee’s separation date should be extended to ensure PLP 2020 (where applicable), PLP 2012, PLP 2010, and furlough hours are exhausted prior to separation. In instances where an employee’s separation date is not scheduled in advance or at the employer’s discretion, such as layoff or termination, departments must require employees to use all unused PLP 2020 (where applicable), PLP 2012, PLP 2010 and furlough hours prior to separation. Employees must be directed to take time off from work to use these hours without exception and shall not be permitted to refuse to use accrued PLP 2020 (where applicable), PLP 2012, PLP 2010, or furlough hours.

On rare occasions when an employee separates from state service and has accumulated PLP 2020, PLP 2012 and/or PLP 2010 hours which cannot be used prior to separation, these unused hours must be paid at the time of the employee’s separation.

Departments must continue to monitor and ensure that all accrued unused PLP 2020 hours are taken in accordance with the applicable MOU.

Historical information regarding PLP, including the provisions and application of the PLP 2020 program can be found clicking the “View History” link at the bottom of this policy.

PLP 1992 and PLP 2003

There are no restrictions on the use of accumulated PLP 1992 and PLP 2003 leave hours, they shall be treated in the same manner as vacation and annual leave.

Lump-Sum Payments

In rare instances when an employee cannot use their PLP 2020, 2012, 2010 or furlough hours prior to separation the leave may be cashed out. PLP 2020, 2012, 2010 and furlough leave credits are not included in the lump sum projection.

Unused PLP 1992 and/or PLP 2003 hours shall be paid at the time of the employee’s separation and are included the lump sum projection.

Authorities

Resources

Forms

PML

Web Pages

Authorized By

Melissa Russell
Chief, Personnel Management Division

Contact Person

Personnel Services Branch
Personnel Program Consultant, , Personnel Services Branch
Phone: 916-323-3343
Fax: 916-327-1886
Email: psb@calhr.ca.gov

Superseded Policies

Not Applicable.