For Hennepin County employees

Suggestion
To alert department you may  volunteer, 
have agency certification on file with supervisor


Overview

Leave of absence for county employees who are

  • Certified Disaster Service Volunteers of the American Red Cross OR Emergency Disaster Services Volunteers of The Salvation Army

    AND

  • Requested to participate in specialized disaster relief services by the applicable organization

Leave may not exceed 15 working days in a calendar year.  Supervisors administer this leave.  Department directors approve this leave.

Employee pay while on leave

  • Leave is paid at 50% of the employee's regular rate of pay for the employee's regularly scheduled hours
  • Employee may supplement the unpaid portion of the leave by using vacation/PTO hours, compensatory hours, and/or holiday hours

Leave impact on employment and benefits

  • Employee merit review schedule is not impacted
  • Seniority may be affected under some union contracts if unpaid leave is taken
  • Employee payment of PERA contributions for unpaid leave can be made
    • County contribution is paid once the employee contribution is made
    • Subject to PERA time limits - contact PERA directly
  • Employee accrues all benefits associated with their regular county employment status

    i.e. Benefit earning employees accrue vacation/PTO or sick leave, stability pay credits and health and life insurance. 

Employee's responsibilities

  1. Prior to the leave, provide your supervisor with a copy of
    • your disaster service volunteer certification from the American Red Cross or The Salvation Army 
    • the request to participate from the certifying agency
  2. Submit the Disaster Volunteer Leave Request form to your supervisor.
    Your supervisor will notify you if approved or denied.
  3. Notify your supervisor if you want to supplement the unpaid portion of the leave with vacation/PTO, compensatory time, and/or holiday hours.
  4. Code your timesheet correctly.

Supervisor's Responsibilities

  • Retain copy of employee's Red Cross / Salvation Army volunteer certification
  • Retain copy of each request to participate from the certifying agency
  • Retain the original signed Request for Disaster Leave Volunteer Leave form
  • Contact Department Director about employee's status as a disaster volunteer and review any issues regarding approval of future leave requests.
  • Recommend approval or denial of employee leave requests as appropriate.
  • Ensure the employee's timesheet is coded correctly BEFORE approved in APEX

The Disaster Volunteer Leave Program was established under County Board Resolution 96-8-500.