Mandatory Furlough Plan, as authorized by Ch. 14-172 (e) and (f)

Dear City of Houston Municipal Employee:

I sincerely appreciate the efforts of you as a city employee to cut spending over the course of this year. I especially thank those of you who have taken a voluntary furlough day or days. Finally, I salute HOPE for their input and ideas in this process.

We have implemented significant cost savings and our voluntary furlough program exceeded expectations. Additionally, our ongoing consolidations since the beginning of my administration have realized a 3% reduction in our civilian workforce with more to come.

Despite these efforts, there is still a budget gap. It is necessary to implement a mandatory furlough program as a part of our strategy to close the gap. Below are the details of the Furlough Plan, as required by Chapter 14 of the Code of Ordinances and in accordance with Executive Order 1-27. In addition, I am extending voluntary furloughs for the duration of this fiscal year (through June 30, 2011).

Mandatory Furlough Plan

Start Date: January 1, 2011
End Date: June 30, 2011

The Mandatory Furlough Program is in effect from January 1 through June 30, 2011. Six (6) furlough days must be requested and used based on the Furlough Days Schedule provided below. It applies to all civilians in all funds, including part-time and temporary municipal employees, with these exceptions: classified police and fire employees, judges, employees with a base annual salary of $23,999 or less and certain grant-funded employees. “Mission critical” employees whose positions need to be backfilled, such as the Houston Emergency Center and Solid Waste operations, or employees in revenue generating areas such as Parking Management, may also be excluded from the order as identified by department management.

Furlough days are to be taken in whole-day (8 hour) increments – not partial or flex schedule days. Those with 4/10 or 9/80 shifts will convert to 8-hour days for the week furloughs are done. You should request furlough days from your supervisor for approval before taking them. Supervisors are encouraged to accommodate furloughs on the days requested, but departments must consider business and operating needs before approving a furlough request.

Number of Furlough Days to Be Taken: 6 days

A Furlough day is an 8 hour day.

Furlough Days Schedule:

Day Must be used on or by
At least 1 1/31/2011
At least 2 2/28/2011
At least 3 3/31/2011
At least 4 4/30/2011
At least 5 5/31/2011
At least 6 6/30/2011

There is no assigned furlough day for the City. If furlough days are not scheduled, they will be assigned. There is no penalty for taking furlough days in conjunction with a holiday or taking several together.

Should you have any questions, please contact Omar Reid, Human Resources Director, at 713-837-9330.

Mandatory Furlough FAQs will be forthcoming soon.





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