§ 28-2. Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Appeal means the right of an applicant or employee to appear before the city council to be heard on matters of discrimination, unfair practices or other grievances of such person in the manner prescribed in these policies and procedures.

Classification and pay plan means the system of assigning jobs to classes and to appropriate pay grades based on the similarities of positions.

Classified service means the classified service consists of all positions included in the classification and pay plan with the exception of those positions specifically excluded by the mayor and city council.

Continuous service means employment that is uninterrupted except for authorized leaves of absence, suspension, or separation due to a reduction in work force.

Demotion means a change in the rank of an employee from a position in one class to a position in another class having a lower minimum starting salary and less discretion and/or responsibility.

Department head means the position with overall administrative responsibility for a department.

Dismissal means the termination of a regular employee for just cause.

Eligible means a person who has made a passing score on any examination required under these regulations and who has qualified to be employed by the city.

Employee means a person appointed to a position in the city government for which he is compensated on a full time or part time basis.

Grievance means any dispute concerning the interpretation or application of these personnel policies and procedures or any decision relative to any disciplinary action, dismissal, demotion or charge of discrimination.

Layoff means the separation of an employee from the classified service due to lack of work, lack of funds, abolishment of the position, or for other material changes in duties or organization.

Merit increase means an increase in pay based on an employee's job performance.

Overtime time means worked in excess of the regular work schedule for the position in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Part-time employee means an employee who works on a continuing basis, but does not work a full or normal work period.

Performance evaluation means a method of evaluating each employee on a periodic basis as to his performance on the job.

Probationary employee means an employee serving the first year of his appointment, promotion, re-employment, or reinstatement to any position in the classified service. A probationary employee is not a regular employee until completion of the one-year probationary period.

Promotion means a change in rank of an employee from a position in one class to a position in another class having a higher minimum salary and carrying a greater scope of discretion and responsibility.

Promotion list means a list of persons who have been found qualified for appointment to a higher position. They may be qualified either by a written examination or other evaluation technique.

Provisional employee means an employee appointed to a position without competition pending the establishment of an eligibility list. A provisional employee may serve for a limited time only and must compete with other applicants to qualify for a probationary appointment, if applicable.

Public hearing means a meeting of the mayor and city council, open to the public, at which any interested party may appear and be heard.

Regular employee means an employee who has completed the probationary period.

Reprimand means a formal means of communicating to an employee that a problem exists and that it must be corrected.

Resignation means the termination of an employee at the employee's request.

Salary increase means an increase in salary within the salary range prescribed for the class by the classification and pay plan.

Suspension means an enforced leave of absence for either a disciplinary purpose or a pending investigation of charges against an employee.

(Code 1985, § 3-902)