These policies cover nonunion employees. They also cover union
employees to the extent that their collective bargaining agreements
do not cover these issues.
A.
Salary ranges are established by ordinance, and the salary must fall
within the minimum and maximum ranges for the employee's title. Employees
are paid every two weeks.
B.
The Township of Ocean will not accept responsibility for any employee's
personal finances. The Township of Ocean will acknowledge judgments
against an employee's pay, but will not act as a mediator between
the employee and creditors.
Reference Code of Township of Ocean § 57-21.
A.
Under the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act, certain employees in
managerial, supervisory, and administrative, computer or professional
positions are exempt from the provisions of the Act. There are also
employees who may be exempt because their compensation exceeds $100,000
per year depending upon their job duties. The Administrator/Municipal
Clerk shall notify all exempt employees of their status under the
Act. Exempt employees are not eligible to receive overtime compensation
and are required to work the normal workweek and any additional hours
needed to fulfill their responsibilities. Time off consideration for
large amounts of additional hours may be provided with the Township
Committee and/or Township Administrator prior approval and at the
sole discretion of the Township Committee.
B.
All other employees are classified as non-exempt and are subject
to the provisions of the Act. Depending on work needs, non-exempt
employees may be required to work overtime. Non-exempt employees are
not permitted to work overtime unless the overtime is budgeted and
approved by the Township Committee and/or Administrator/Municipal
Clerk. Non-Exempt employees working overtime without prior approval
will be subject to disciplinary action.
C.
Non-Exempt employees will receive one and one-half hours of overtime
compensation for each hour worked in excess of 40 hours in a weekly
period. For purposes of overtime compensation, hours worked are computed
to the nearest one-half hour per day. Previously scheduled vacation
time and holiday time are considered time worked for purposes of determining
overtime compensation, but sick time and personal time are not.
Reference Code of Township of Ocean § 57-22.
A.
Non-exempt employees are required to accurately record their work
time on the designated time record, sign it and return into his/her
supervisor. Non-exempt employees and exempt employees are required
to report their sick time, vacation time and holiday time on the designated
time record. Non-exempt and exempt employees should turn the time
record into his/her supervisor.
B.
The supervisor shall review the record for accuracy and approve it
and submit it to the designated payroll representative.
A.
To the extent that a local ordinance, collective bargaining agreement,
or an employment agreement provides for the payment of compensation
for pay while absent from work, the Township of Ocean shall only make
such payment if the chief financial officer or Executive Director
certifies that such amount is due and that proper documentation establishing
that the amount of the accumulated absence has been provided and funds
are available to pay. Proper documentation includes:
B.
Nothing in this section grants employees compensation for absences
from work.
Reference Code of Township of Ocean § 57-34.
The Township currently provides all regular full-time employees
and other officials certain health benefits. All such individuals
have an option to select an alternate to the current standard health
benefit package offered by the municipality. The Township Clerk maintains
all information with respect to health to health benefits provided
to employees; however, it is not the responsibility of the Township
Clerk or the Township's governing body to personally advise each and
every employee of any changes made with respect thereto. It is the
responsibility of the employee to be fully familiar with all such
coverages.
A.
Health benefits selection program. Reference Code of Township of Ocean § 57-35. Establishment of a Health Benefits
Selection and Buyback Program. The Health Benefits Selection and Buyback
Program allows an eligible individual to voluntarily select health
benefits that best suit his/her individual need by voluntarily declining
certain or all of the health benefits accorded that individual as
provided by the Township. For those benefits that the individual declines,
he/she shall be compensated according to this policy. This policy
covers all employees and officials who are eligible to receive health
benefits.
B.
Benefits continuation (COBRA). Reference Code of Township of Ocean § 57-16.
(1)
The federal Consolidation Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)
gives employees and their qualified beneficiaries the opportunity
to continue health insurance coverage for a limited time under the
Township's health plan when a "qualifying event" would normally result
in the loss of eligibility. Some common qualifying events are resignation,
termination of employment or death of an employee; a reduction in
an employee's hours or a leave of absence; an employee's divorce or
legal separation; and a dependent child no longer meeting eligibility
requirements.
(2)
Under COBRA, the employee or beneficiary pays the full cost of coverage
at the Township's group rates plus an administrative fee. The Township
provides each eligible employee with written notice describing rights
granted under COBRA when the employee becomes eligible for coverage
under the Township's health insurance plan. The notice contains important
information about employee's rights and obligations.
Reference Code of Township of Ocean § 57-34.
The Township of Ocean currently provides to all eligible individuals
group dental coverage with various deductibles relating to individuals
and/or families. "Immediate family" means the spouse of an individual,
and/or the minor child of the individual, or child of an individual
who is over 18 years of age, but under 23 years of age, who is currently
residing in the individual's home and must be enrolled in full-time
college.
Reference Code of Township of Ocean § 57-34. The Township of Ocean currently provides a prescription plan for
eligible individuals which includes individual and/or family coverage
as defined in this article. Current coverages provides for prescription
card service requiring minimal copays for employees. It is anticipated
that the minimal copay will increase in the near future.
Reference Code of Township of Ocean § 57-34. The Township of Ocean currently provides certain vision care for
eligible individuals. The individual may use this benefit for any
member of his or her immediate family. "Immediate family" means the
spouse of an individual, and/or the minor child of the individual,
or child of an individual who is over 18 years of age, but under 23
years of age, who is currently residing in the individual's home.
Retirement insurance benefits. Reference Code of Township of Ocean § 57-36.
A.
The Township of Ocean shall assume the cost of insurance coverage
for those employees, inclusive of their dependents, in the same manner
for which such benefits are provided to regular full-time Township
employees, who retire after 25 years or more of service credit in
state pension system and a period of at least 25 years of employment
with the Township of Ocean or for those employees who have retired
and reached the age of 65 years of age with 25 years or more of service
credit in a state or local administered retirement system and a period
of 25 years with the employer at time of retirement.
B.
Those employees who retire with 25 years or more service credit in
the state pension system and a period of at least 25 years of employment
with the Township of Ocean and/or the former Ocean Township Municipal
Utilities Authority are included within the terms of this section.
C.
Employees of the Township of Ocean with 25 years or more of credit
in the state pension system may be eligible to include any years of
service in the Armed Forces of the United States to be counted toward
his/her 25 years of service with the Township in the same manner as
he/she may receive credit for such military services under the state
pension system in order to meet the 25 years of employment with the
municipality.
Reference Code of Township of Ocean § 57-11.
A.
The Township provides a comprehensive workers' compensation insurance
program at no cost to employees and certain volunteers performing
emergency duties. This program covers any injury or illness sustained
in the course of employment that requires medical, surgical, or hospital
treatment. Subject to applicable legal requirements, workers' compensation
insurance provides benefits after a short waiting period or, if the
employee is hospitalized, immediately.
B.
Employees who sustain any work-related injuries or illnesses must
inform their supervisor immediately. Emergency volunteers shall notify
the Township Clerk and/or Township Administrator. No matter how minor
an on-the-job injury may appear, it is important that it be reported
immediately. This will enable an eligible employee to qualify for
coverage as quickly as possible.
A.
Subject to sufficient funds in the budget and upon approval of a
Committee member, employees may apply for tuition expenses incurred
for training or college courses directly related to the employee's
work. The Township of Ocean Committee will be the sole judge of whether
a particular course or program is "directly related" to the employee's
work. Employees must obtain this determination before enrolling in
a course or program.
B.
The reimbursement must be repaid if the employee leaves Township
of Ocean employment within 24 months of receipt.
Requests to attend a conference or seminar must be approved
by a Committee member. Requests shall be made sufficiently in advance
to take advantage of discounts for early registration, and must be
submitted to the department head at least 30 days before the event.
Requests must be in writing including the conference schedule, registration
information and estimated costs. The department head is responsible
to detail all training requests during the budget formulation process.
Approval of any conference or seminar request is conditioned upon
the availability of funds.
