Employee Leave Purchase Program
The Employee Leave Purchase Program allows eligible City employees to purchase additional leave during the fiscal year. The program is designed to give employees more flexibility while helping departments maintain operational coverage.
Please see the program Administrative Instruction.
Program at a Glance
| Employee Type | Maximum Leave Per Fiscal Year | Purchase Increments |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time employees | Up to 40 hours | 8-hour increments |
| Permanent part-time employees | Up to 20 hours | 4-hour increments |
Eligibility
Employees may participate if they are:
- Full-time or permanent part-time City employees.
- Not placed on unpaid suspension in the previous year.
When Leave Can Be Purchased
During initial and subsequent open enrollment, eligible employees may purchase up to the full annual limit.
New hires or employees purchasing after open enrollment may purchase leave based on the fiscal quarter:
| Fiscal Quarter | Full-time Maximum | Permanent Part-time Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 40 hours | 20 hours |
| Q2 | 32 hours | 16 hours |
| Q3 | 24 hours | 12 hours |
| Q4 | 16 hours | 8 hours |
Employees may not purchase leave above applicable vacation leave limits.
How to Purchase Leave
- Complete the Leave Purchase request form.
- Submit the request to your department Human Resources Coordinator.
- Requests must be approved by your Department Director and Department Fiscal Manager/Time Keeper.
- Approved leave is deducted from your paycheck in equal amounts through the remainder of the fiscal year.
Note: Employees may submit only one leave purchase request per fiscal year.
Access the Leave Purchase request form
Using Purchased Leave
Purchased leave is added as Vacation Leave Buy (VCBUY).
When using purchased leave, employees must report it as Vacation Purchase Taken (VPT).
Purchased leave:
- Must be requested according to departmental leave procedures.
- Requires supervisor approval.
- May be used with other approved leave types, such as vacation or sick leave.
- Does not extend eligibility for other leave programs or legal leave entitlements.
End of Fiscal Year
If purchased leave remains unused at the end of the fiscal period (end of June), the cash value of the unused balance will be refunded during the first full pay period in the new fiscal year.
The refund cannot exceed the amount actually deducted from the employee’s pay during that enrollment cycle.
Separation from Employment
If an employee leaves City employment:
- Any unpaid balance for leave already taken will be deducted from the final paycheck.
- Any unused purchased leave balance will be credited on the final paycheck.
Special Circumstances
Transfers: Unused purchased leave transfers with the employee to the new department.
Promotions or demotions: Purchased leave is paid at the employee’s rate of pay when the leave is taken.
FMLA: Employees actively on FMLA who have exhausted paid leave should speak with their department director and the Employee Relations Division of Human Resources Leave Coordinator.
Employee Responsibility
Employees are responsible for tracking their purchased leave balance and repayment status.
Questions?
Contact Employee Benefits:
Human Resources
505-768-3700
[email protected]