Deadline approaching! Annual Leave conversion to Healthcare

Dear OCEA member,

The COVID-19 crisis has dramatically impacted all of us and worker leave balances may be more influx than ever. Our negotiated contracts with the County included a transition from the Annual Leave system to Healthcare and Vacation Leave, which provides much of the same flexibility as Annual Leave, while at the same time providing the security of being able to cash out more hours with no approval required. Another component of the conversion allows OCEA-represented employees a one-time election to convert an unlimited amount of Annual Leave over to Healthcare Leave.

The original deadline for converting your leave balances was not workable so we sought and obtained a 90-day extension, through May 21, 2020, for you to elect a conversion. Further, the County has developed a form for you to communicate your desire to convert Annual Leave to Healthcare Leave. The conversion form can be downloaded by clicking here.

OCEA is committed to your Safety, Security and Stability - Safety in your workplace, Security in fair wages and benefits that protect you and your family, and Stability that provides fair and consistent workplace policies and procedures. These three elements are critical in seeing you through this historic pandemic as you work to keep the residents of Orange County safe and healthy.

Should you have any questions or concerns about converting annual leave hours to Healthcare, please contact your OCEA Labor Relations Representative at info@ocea.org.

In Solidarity,

Charles Barfield
OCEA General Manager

Publication Date: May 13, 2020