R477-7-14. Furlough

  (1) Agency management may furlough employees as a means of saving salary costs in lieu of or in addition to a reduction in force. Furlough plans are subject to the approval of the agency head and the following conditions:

  (a) Furlough hours shall be counted for purposes of annual, sick and holiday leave accrual.

  (b) Payment of all state paid benefits shall continue at the agency's expense.

  (i) Benefits that have fixed costs shall be paid at the full rate regardless of how many days an employee is furloughed.

  (ii) Benefits that are paid as a percentage of actual wages shall continue to be paid as a percentage of actual wages if the furlough is less than one pay period. Employees who are furloughed for a full pay period shall have no percentage based benefits paid.

  (c) An employee who is furloughed shall continue to pay the employee portion of all benefits. Voluntary benefits shall remain entirely at the employee's expense.

  (d) An employee shall return to the current position.

  (e) Furlough is applied equitably; e.g., to all persons in a given class, all program staff, or all staff in an organization.