Business Policies and Procedures Manual
Chapter 60: Personnel
Cyclic-Year Positions for Classified Employees
BPPM 60.30
For more information contact:
Human Resource Services
509-335-4521
Form: Cyclic-Year Memorandum
Contents
1.0 Overview
A department may establish a cyclic-year position if the department has known recurring periods in the annual cycle when the position is not needed or if there is limited funding for the position. (WAC 357-19-295)
Both civil service and bargaining unit positions may be established as cyclic-year positions. For purposes of this section, civil service and bargaining unit positions are referred to as classified positions.
1.1 Definition
A cyclic-year employee works less than 12 months each year and is on leave without pay (LWOP) at specified times, e.g., low activity periods.
1.2 Annual Cycles
Departments establish an annual cycle for cyclic-year positions. Cycles may coincide with the academic year, fiscal year, calendar year or any other appropriate cycle.
1.3 Leave Accruals, PIDs
Civil service employees refer to BPPM 60.57 and WAC 357-31 regarding leave and BPPM 60.29 and WAC 357-28-055 for information regarding periodic increment dates.
Bargaining unit employees refer to the applicable agreements for information regarding leave and periodic increment dates.
2.0 Starting a Cyclic-Year Position
Use Workday to establish a cyclic-year position (see the Workday Create and Close Position reference guide).
2.1 Reduction in Force
Contact Human Resource Services at least 30 days before reducing a filled position to a cyclic-year position. Layoff procedures may apply to the reduction (see BPPM 60.37).
3.0 Annual Notification
Upon appointment and before the start of each annual cycle, the employing department sends each cyclic-year employee a letter which specifies the scheduled periods of LWOP for the coming year. The letter must be sent at least 15 calendar days before the annual cycle begins. Refer to Figure 1 below or use the Cyclic-Year Memorandum template.
For a cyclic-year employee hired within the cycle, the department sends the employee a letter documenting the scheduled periods of LWOP remaining in the cycle.
3.1 Routing Cyclic Year Letters
The department sends the cyclic-year letter to the employee with copies to Human Resource Services and Payroll Services.
4.0 Reporting LWOP
The employee must record cyclic leave without pay (LWOP) on their Absence Calendar using the reason code of Cyclic. This may be initiated by the employee, Manager, Timekeeper or HR Partner. (See the applicable Workday Time and Absence reference guides.
4.1 Recording Leave Accruals
Full-time and part-time (part-time employee as defined in WAC 357-01-2290(1)) higher education employees with leave without pay exceeding 80 hours in a month (prorated for part-time) do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave. (WAC 357-31-175)
Bargaining unit employees refer to the applicable collective bargaining agreement regarding LWOP and leave accruals.
5.0 Changes to LWOP Schedule
5.1 Changing LWOP Period
When increasing or decreasing a LWOP cyclic period for a position, e.g., changing the basis of service from ten months to nine months, layoff procedures may apply. Contact HRS and see BPPM 60.37.
5.2 Extended Cyclic Appointment
When an employee returns to work during the scheduled period of cyclic LWOP at the request of the department, the cyclic appointment is extended.
To offer additional employment during a LWOP cyclic period the employing department completes and sends an offer of additional work to the incumbent employee. A copy of the offer is sent to HRS and Payroll Services. (See Figure 2 for an example offer letter.)
The department allows the incumbent at least three days to respond.
5.2.a Offer Declined
The department may hire another classified employee or a temporary employee if the incumbent declines the offer or does not respond within three days. Contact HRS for assistance.
5.2.b Offer Accepted/Reporting Hours
Report actual hours worked on the Absence Calendar. Once recorded, route it to the Manager and Timekeeper for processing.
5.2.c Holidays
A cyclic employee qualifies for holiday compensation if they work or are in pay status on their last regularly scheduled working day before the holiday(s) in that month. (WAC 357-31-010(3))
Example: If the last scheduled work day is May 15, the department or the employee records the holiday on the employee’s Absence Calendar. Once recorded it is routed to the Manager and Timekeeper for processing to pay the employee for the Memorial Day holiday.
Employees on extended cyclic appointments must be in paid status the full scheduled work shift before a holiday in order to be paid for the holiday. The holiday pay is at the same rate as the rate for the employee’s normal appointment.
6.0 Annual Leave During a LWOP Period
6.1 Employee Request
The use of annual leave must be requested by the employee.
6.2 Departmental Discretion
The department may or may not approve a request to use annual leave. (Exception: See HRS for more information.)
6.3 Use at Beginning or End
An employee may use annual leave at the beginning or end of a cyclic LWOP period. The employee records the holiday on their Absence Calendar. Once recorded route it to the Manager and Timekeeper for processing. Annual leave used during the period does not alter the dates established for cyclic LWOP as recorded in the employee’s Annual Cycle Memorandum.
Example: If the cyclic LWOP period begins May 16 and ends August 16, the employee may use annual leave right after May 16 and/or immediately before August 16.
6.4 Offer of Additional Work
When an employee accepts an offer of additional work during a cyclic LWOP period, annual leave may be used during those days the employee is scheduled to work. The employee must request the use of annual leave.
Note: A department may not make an offer of additional work solely to provide an opportunity for an employee to use annual leave.
6.5 Annual Leave Accrual
If an employee has an hourly position during the scheduled cyclic leave without pay period, the employee accrues annual and sick leave unless they are on LWOP for 11 or more days in the calendar month. (The hourly position could be with the home department or with another department.)
7.0 Model Letters
7.1 Cyclic-Year Letter Model
A department may reproduce the Cyclic-Year Memorandum or develop a letter using the model in Figure 1.
7.2 Offer of Additional Work
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Revisions: August 2023 (Rev. 613); December 2020 (Rev. 559); Feb. 2007 (Rev. 294); Jan. 2006 (Rev. 272); July 1996 (Rev. 100); Jan. 1994 (Rev. 94); Aug. 1993 (Rev. 92); Dec. 1988 (Rev. 72); June 1983 – new policy (Rev. 52).