The Oregon state employee., July 01, 1947, Page 11, Image 11

I esting differences in context. We
strenuously object to any such inter­
pretation as above indicated.
It i s ' the recommendation of this
Association that certain of the proposed
amendments be changed as follows:
1. Rule II De/mz/zcws. Add p a r a ­
graph 40 to read "Work day or work­
ing day means a full day of an em­
ployees regular working time,”
2. Rule XVIII Leave of Absence.
Section 3, Vacation Leave
Under
"amount,” change the first sentence to
read "Employees shall be granted vaca­
tion- with pay at the rate of one work­
ing day for each full calendar month
of service.” ' •
Under (b) "scheduling and pay­
ment” in the first sentence strike out
the word "anriu^l?’ Elsewhere in this
subsection b, in all cases, substitute the
.wofd "working” for thew ord "busi­
ness,” and also .insert the word "work­
ing” before the words "day” qr "days”
wherever they appear.
-Rule XVIII Leave\of- Absence.
Section^.. 2 , 1 Leave . Computations" (a)
Change fhe second sentence to rqa4 "In
order to Standardize payroll computa­
tions, the rate for leave, deductions or
.earnings shall be calculated propor­
tional to the regular working time qf
the employee.” v(b) Change the third
sentence I to read "Deductions from
leave accumulations shall be made only
for employees work days.”
4. Rule XVIII Lieave.. of Absence.
Special Leaves with Pay
l\few Section
Substitute the word "working” for the
word "business” in the second seriteri&.i.
Each of the above suggested changes
is“ made on the basis of justice, equity
ancL principle. This Association speaks
for a majority qf the state employees
and reflects the views of the great bulk
of the employees. We have earned the
respect of the public, the press and the
legislative body by the attitudes which
we take in personnel matters.
In principle, the Civil Service Act-
was enacted to "establish a system of
personnel administration based on merit-
principles and scientific methods” (Sec­
tion 2, -Chapter 400, Oregon Laws
1945).'
Our suggested changes will eliminate
inconsistencies, absurdities and unfair
procedures embodied in the proposed
amendments which include, but are
not necessarily limited to, the follow­
ing:
1. Charging an employee with 6
day's qf earned vacation leave during
the period which requires 5 days work;
or at the ratio of 1 1 / 5:1.
2. Assuming all' vaeat-ibri-ileaves to
occur once a year only.
I 3. Using the terms "working day”
and "business' day” indiscriminately in
the rules without apparent reason, to
confusing effe'et, and directly in con­
flict with recognized definitions.
4. Disturbing the morale of the em­
ployees, perpetuating prese'nt evils 'and
fostering discontent and resentment, all
toe the detriment' qf' public service.
I 5. The establishment. o£-c.qmplex and
expensive accounting systems for de­
partments. ' •
6. The assumption of the. Commis­
sion by defining the "work day” of an
employee to be the same as a "busi­
ness day” of a department or institu­
tion. The Commission is ’empowered to
set Work schedules {oremployees only.
They need not, and often do riot, con­
form with a department’s wrirk sched­
ule. Discrimination is apparent when
leaiyes' q f absence are singled out and
made to conform to department "days,”
while employees schedules are not set
necessarily to conform.
The sick and disability, leaves pro­
vided for in Subdivision 5, Section 18,'
of the act \are also affected, by an ap-
pareh^ly simple insertion of Ja new
definition in the rules. This procedure
constitutes? a major change in meaning
by an expedient but minor amendment.
8. The heirs of a deceased employee
deprived of part of the earned
pay of the,employee for'unused vaca­
tion. A retired employee' or one leaving
the service would also be deprived of
a p a r t o f his earned pay Tor unused
vacationi. I
9. There is an assumption that all