Furlough Program - Answers to Employee Questions

We will continue to update this page as new information becomes available. If you can't find the answer to your question here, please contact your personnel office for help.

What are the scheduled furlough days?

Beginning July 10, 2009, employees will have three furlough days per month.

See the list of furlough Fridays.

February 6, February 20, and March 6, 2009 were also scheduled furlough days.

My department will require me to work on the scheduled furlough days. How does this affect me?

If your department requires you to work on the scheduled furlough days, you would use a "self-directed" furlough. DPA and the departments consulted to determine what positions can use self-directed furloughs. There are two types of self-directed furloughs:

• For positions that generate revenue, or where services must continue and employees normally must work on holidays: You can choose which three days to take off each month, subject to supervisor approval.
• For posted positions in 24/7 facilities such as prisons and hospitals: Management will work with employees to determine which three days in the month will be taken off. When this is not operationally feasible and would jeopardize security, health or safety, management will work with employees to select time off in the future. However, deferring furlough days for future use shall only be done after all other options have been evaluated and proven unworkable. All furlough days must be taken within two years following the end of the furlough program.

Do I have to use my furlough hours in the same month they count against my paycheck?

Yes. In most cases, furlough hours must be used during the same month. Employees exempted from this requirement must use all furlough hours within two years of the end of the Furlough Program.

When is the furlough scheduled to end?

June 30, 2010.

Can I cash out my furlough hours if I don't use them?

No. You must use your furlough hours. You can't cash them out.

How does the furlough affect alternate work schedules?

DPA has provided information to Personnel Offices. Your department may develop its own alternate work schedule calendar to meet departmental or employee needs.

Will the furlough affect my salary?

Your salary range will remain the same. However, you will not be paid for furlough days.

Can I use leave credit such as vacation time to avoid taking furlough time?

No. You can't substitute other leave for your furlough time.

How do I mark furlough hours on my timesheet (Std. 634)?

Use the letters FH for furlough hours on line 7f.

Can I use furlough hours before they're accrued?

No, you must accrue furlough hours before you can use them, the same as with vacation or any other accrued leave.

Do furlough hours count toward "hours worked" for overtime purposes?

No.

Won't my department be forced to work employees overtime to make up for the furlough?

Department budgets will be reduced for the three furlough days and will not be augmented for overtime pay to supplement behind the furlough.

Will the furlough affect my benefits?

Benefits remain the same. The furlough doesn't affect payouts for unused leave, service credit, health, or dental benefits.

Will the furlough affect my retirement benefits?

No. Your normal pay rate will be reported to CalPERS for retirement purposes even though your actual pay is less.

Does the furlough impact Social Security?

No. To estimate your Social Security benefit, use the Detailed Calculator on the Social Security website.

How does the furlough affect my Savings Plus Program account?

See the Furlough Program - Savings Plus Program page.

Can I stop or change the FlexElect deduction for my Medical Reimbursement Account?

No, the furlough is not a "permitting event." See the FlexElect Handbook for details.

Can I stop or change the FlexElect deduction for my Dependent Care Reimbursement Account?

If the furlough causes a change in your dependent care cost or provider, you may change or cancel the deduction amount for your Dependent Care Reimbursement Account. See the FlexElect Handbook for details.

Can I cancel my group legal insurance?

Yes. See your personnel office.

Can I cancel or change my supplemental group term life insurance?

Yes. Contact MetLife Insurance Company at 1-800-253-8524. (Note: the State will continue paying the premium for basic group term life insurance for all eligible employees.)

Can I cancel my long-term disability insurance?

Yes. See your personnel office.

Can I cancel or change my pre-tax parking deduction?

Yes. See your personnel office.

Can I stop participating in the Voluntary Personal Leave Program?

Yes, employees in the VPLP can cancel participation in that program, even if they haven't met the 12 month minimum.

I work for a Constitutional Officer. Am I subject to the furlough?

Yes.

Does the furlough apply to statutory appointees?

Yes.

I'm in Workweek Group E. How does the furlough apply to me?

During a week when you take a furlough day, you will not be allowed to work more than 32 hours.

How do you calculate furlough hours for full-time employees?

Full-time employees have 24 furlough hours (three 8-hour days) per month.

I'm an intermittent employee. How many hours will I be furloughed per pay period?

Hours Worked	FH Per Pay Period
11 to 30.9	3
31 to 50.9	6
51 to 70.9	9
71 to 90.9	12
91 to 110.9	15
111 to 130.9	18
131 to 150.9	21
151 or more	24

I'm a part-time employee. How many hours will I be furloughed per pay period?

Time Base	FH Per Pay Period
1/10	2.4
1/8	3
1/5	4.8
1/4	6
3/10	7.2
3/8	9
2/5	9.6
1/2	12
3/5	14.4
5/8	15
7/10	16.8
3/4	18
4/5	19.2
7/8	21
9/10	21.6

Can I work more hours to make up for the furlough hours if I'm an intermittent or part-time employee?

No.

I'm a retired annuitant. Does the furlough apply to me?

It does not apply to retired annuitants who return to service and are reinstated for up to 960 hours.

I'm on Partial Service Retirement. Does the furlough apply to me?

Yes.

If I reinstate from disability retirement, does the furlough apply to me?

Yes.

Can furlough hours be used in increments?

Yes.

How does the furlough affect Family Medical Leave Act leave?

The furlough doesn't affect the amount of available FMLA leave.

Are Merit Salary Adjustments affected by the furlough?

No.

Are state employees eligible to receive unemployment insurance benefits as a result of the furloughs?

As a result of the expanded furlough, State employees are inquiring about filing and qualifying for unemployment insurance benefits. In fact, State employees are circulating e-mails with statements that they will all qualify for certain benefits by completing and submitting appropriate claim forms. However, these employee-circulated emails contain misinformation about two different unemployment insurance programs, known as the Work Sharing and Partial Programs. These are both employer initiated programs, and the State of California does not participate in either one.

Updated February 8, 2010 at 4:43 PM.