Carroll County adopts revised Earned Time policy consolidating sick, vacation and personal leave

The Carroll County Board of Commissioners voted April 6 to adopt a revised Earned Time policy for non-union employees that consolidates vacation, sick and personal leave into a single accrual system.

Human Resources Director Linda Matchett presented the revision and noted the policy replaces prior separate vacation and sick-leave policies. The policy sets weekly accrual rates by years of service (0–5 years: 3.08 hours/week, 6–10 years: 3.85 hours/week, 11–15 years: 4.62 hours/week, 16+ years: 5.38 hours/week) and sets a 280-hour accrual cap. Employees who reach the 280-hour cap will continue to accrue at their rate, but any hours over 280 not used by December 31 will be forfeited.

The policy also specifies separation payout rules for non-union employees: employees already on payroll as of April 1, 2022, receive 100% of accrued Earned Time on resignation or retirement (with required notice); employees hired after April 1, 2022, receive a percentage of accrued time based on years of service (0–5 years: 50%; 6–10 years: 75%; 11+ years: 100%). The policy clarifies notice requirements (four weeks for salaried/management employees; two weeks for hourly employees) and retains short-term disability coverage terms.

Commissioners approved the revised policy by unanimous vote (Parker/Chandler, 3-0). The revision is recorded in county policy documents as effective April 1, 2022 with a revision date of April 6, 2026.

The meeting packet includes the full policy text, procedural details for accrual and use of Earned Time, and cross-references to the County's short-term disability and FMLA policies.