Voluntary Separation and Reduced Work Week Program

In an effort to accommodate budget constraints, the Voluntary Separation and Reduced Work Week Program $($Program$)$ aims to reduce salary costs. Participation from employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement depends on the provisions of that agreement and approval of the respective labor union.

The Program provides departments the option to offer incentives to employees to voluntarily separate from employment through retirement or resignation, or to participate in a reduced work week schedule.

Participation in the Program is subject to the approval from the department director or designee based on the following criteria:

Retention of adequate levels of skilled, talented workers in needed occupations and locations.

Retention of positions, occupations, and skills critical to achieving the department$$s mission and priorities.

Difficulty or cost of replacing employees with particular skill requirements or in certain locations.

Potential disruption due to the overall loss of experienced workers.

The voluntary program shall not be targeted on the basis of individual or personal factors.

Employees participating in a voluntary separation are ineligible for unemployment compensation. After receiving a separation payment, any employee who returns to the department for service within five years as an employee or contractor must repay the separation payment. An exception to this provision may be granted, provided the department seeking to hire the former employee has sought and gained approval from the director or designee. In addition, exceptions granted to this provision may require partial repayment of the incentive on a pro$-$rata basis.

$39.$ According to the passage, which of the following statements is true?

A$.$ An employee is eligible for unemployment compensation two months after receiving a separation payment.

B$.$ After receiving separation pay, if an employee returns back to the department within three years as a contractor, they are not required to make any repayment.

C$.$ To reduce salary costs, employees who are of retirement age are required to participate in the Program.

D$.$ The Program is focused on reducing salary cost through retirement or resignation.