Non-Faculty Furloughs
Frequently Asked Questions
Revised: August 6, 2009
Revised: July 27, 2009
These FAQs apply to Sonoma State University’s Furlough Plan for non-represented employees (MPPs, Confidential Employees and Excluded), employees represented by California State University Employees’ Union (CSUEU), Academic Professionals of California (APC), and the California Federation of the Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD).
1. What will the reduction in my pay look like?
The monthly payroll deduction reduction necessitated by furloughs shall be spread evenly over the eleven (11) month period: For example:
Although the 24 day furlough equates to a 9.23% reduction in annual salary for 12 month employees – because we will not implement the program until August, employee’s paychecks will be reduced by 10.07% for the next 11 months to effectuate the necessary reductions before the end of the fiscal year.
2. How many days and over what period of time will I be furloughed?
Between August 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010: Twelve (12) month employees shall be subject to no more than twenty-four (24) furlough days; Eleven (11) month employees – twenty-two (22) furlough days; and Ten (10) month employees – twenty (20) furlough days.
3. How many days a month will I be furloughed?
For 12 month employees: two-day a month furlough for 10 months with one catch-up month of four furlough days which have been scheduled in April over Spring Break.
4. How will my furlough schedule be determined?
For two days in the months of August, September, October and one day in November, based on operational needs, furlough schedules will be determined by the Appropriate Administrator with input from the employee.
5. Will the campus be closed on furlough days?
The following list of dates has been approved for the campus to be closed except for limited services.
• November 27, 2009
• December 24 and 31, 2009
• January 8 and 22, 2010
• February 5 and 19, 2010
• March 12 and 26, 2010
• April 5, 6, 7 and 8, 2010 (Spring Break)
• May 7 and 21, 2010
• June 4 and 11, 2010
6. As I will not be using my Personal Holiday on November 27th (the day after Thanksgiving), can I carry it over to the next year if I don’t use it by December 31st?
No. It is our understanding that you may not carry over your Personal Holiday so you will need to use it by the end of the year.
7. Can I group my furlough days?
No, the limit is two days per month one day per week with one catch-up month of four furlough days, April will be our catch-up month over Spring Break.
8. I am on a 9/80 schedule. What are my options for furlough days?
For the month of August you will need to take your furlough days on the days you work eight hours. As of September the 9/80 schedule will no longer be available to you.
9. I am on a 4/10 schedule. How will the furlough work for me?
You will be converted to a 5/8 work schedule on your furlough weeks in order to observe the 8 hour furlough days.
10. Will part-time employees be subject to furloughs?
Yes. All employees are subject to furloughs, including part-time employees, proportional to the number of hours they normally work.
11. Will intermittent employees be subject to furloughs?
Yes, the number of days (or hours) you are scheduled to work will be reduced.
12. If my position is funded by grant money am I subject to furloughs?
If your position is 100% grant funded you will not be subject to furloughs. If your position is partially state funded that percentage will be subject to furloughs.
13. Are holidays or holiday pay affected by furloughs?
No. None of the furlough days are scheduled on holidays.
14. Can I request a furlough day before or after a holiday or in conjunction with my vacation?
Yes. A furlough day taken before or after a holiday and will not affect your pay for the holiday. Additionally, you may take furlough days in conjunction with other paid time off, such as Compensatory Time Off (CTO) or Personal Holiday.
15. What about vacation or sick days that may fall on furlough days?
You can not substitute vacation days, sick leave, Compensatory Time Off (CTO) or holiday credit for furlough days.
16. What if I am an exempt employee?
A full-time exempt employee will work no more than 32 hours during a furlough week and is considered non-exempt during the furlough week. Any additional hours must be pre-approved by the Appropriate Administrator and the Chief Financial Officer prior to working the additional hours. In addition, because you are non-exempt during the furlough week, you must report any hours you miss from work during that week.
17. Will furloughs affect pension and service credits?
Generally no. A full-time employee who is furloughed two days a months and works continuously through the fiscal year will receive a fully year of service credit. For full-time employees paid on a monthly basis, one year of service credit (1.0) is normally granted for 10-month of employment in a fiscal year. According to CalPERS, if a full-time employee on a two-day per month furlough plan works continuously during the entire fiscal year, they will earn a year of service credit (1.0).
Part-time employees accrue a proportionately reduced amount of service credit during a fiscal year based on their time base and the same general rules as stated above apply to them as well when they are on a furlough plan.
18. Will furloughs affect eligibility for health benefits?
No. Eligibility for health benefits is based on time base and length of appointment and the time base does not change for employees subject to furloughs.
19. Can I receive unemployment benefits to cover the loss of compensation due to furloughs?
We believe, based on the structure of our plan, you will not meet unemployment eligibility requirements.
20. What is the impact of furloughs if I am on a leave such as Family Medical Leave (FML)?
Leave programs will remain unchanged. For example, an employee on FML will continue to be required to utilize appropriate leave credits before going on any unpaid portion of FML.
21. Will Social Security contributions be affected by furlough?
Salary related deductions such as Social Security are based on a percentage of the actual pay – so when your pay is reduced the contributions are also reduced..
