In July 2020, per the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) Leave Balance Management Policy, Managers and Supervisors were notified of staff whose annual leave/vacation balances exceeded the state maximum of 640 hours, and were encouraged to work with those staff to implement leave balance reduction plans.  

The implementation of the 2020 Personal Leave Program (2020 PLP) that requires most employees take two days off per month, as well as the use of paid sick leave and Emergency Family Medical Leave provided by state and federal legislation has made it difficult for some departments and employees to comply with leave reduction plans and meet critical work demands during this ongoing state of emergency. It was evident that state departments needed more flexibility in the management of employee leave.

Therefore, the California Department of Human Resources notified State departments that effective October 20, 2020, departments shall suspend policies that require leave balances be reduced below the maximum and shall not require employees to implement leave reduction plans until the 2020 PLP ends or July 1, 2022, whichever is sooner.

If you have any questions regarding the suspension of the DOR’s Leave Balance Management Policy or Leave Reduction Plan, please e-mail the DOR Transactions Unit at PayrollTransactions@dor.ca.gov.