General

• What is the definition of furlough?

  A furlough is an involuntary day or days off from work without pay as a result of a reduction in funds.

• When you lower the salary, but still keep the same numbers of days, is that considered a furlough?

  Yes, if you do not have the funds, you can lower the salary but maintain the same number of days resulting in a full year of service credit.

• What is the difference between dock and reduction in earnable?

  Dock is unpaid time off from work, resulting in a reduction of earnings and less than a full year of service credit.

  A reduction in earnable is paying less earnings or reducing the number of days, and paying earnings based on the lower number of days. This method ensures the member receives a full year of service credit.

  A furlough can also be a reduction in earnings only, resulting in less than a full year of service credit.

• Should a retroactive contract be written for mandatory furlough reduction?
  
  

  This is a local bargaining issue and we cannot offer legal advice.

• Is the April 30, 2010 webinar covering the effect of school furloughs on member benefits available for download?
  
  

  Yes, a video of the webinar is downloadable from the CalSTRS Multimedia Presentations page in WMV format.

  You may also view it on the Secure Employer Web site or request a PDF version of the presentation by e-mailing EmployerTraining@calstrs.com.

Salary

• If we have a salary reduction without workload reduction, and we reduce the salary schedule, will the employee still get the benefit of the highest final compensation and not impact their service credit?

  Reduction in earnings would lower final compensation if the employer reports a` reduction in earnable. If employer reports the original earnable and reduction in earnings, the member would benefit from the higher final compensation, but would earn less than a full year of service credit.

• If we have a salary reduction with workload reduction, is there a negative impact to the employee?
  
  

  A reduction in earnable will equate to a lower final compensation and a full-year of service credit.