CITY OF AUSTIN  
                               PERSONNEL POLICIES  
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                                     For Non-Civil Service Personnel  
                                Includes Index to Amendments since 1996  
                                                      Issued December 2016       
                                          
          
          
              
              
              
              
              
              
              
                                                                    
              
                                                   MEMORANDUM  
              
              
             TO:           Non-Civil Service Employees  
                  FROM:              Joya Hayes, Director of Human Resources and Civil Service  
             SUBJECT:      Personnel Policies  
              
              
             The Personnel Policies are divided into two chapters; Chapter A for Non-Civil Service and Chapter B 
             for Civil Service. This Personnel Policies Manual contains policies for City of Austin Non-Civil Service 
             employees. Future amendments to the policies will be distributed for inclusion in this manual.  
             These policies are not a legal contract of employment. The policies do provide information that will assist 
             you in your job.  
             The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable 
             accommodation and equal access to communications will be provided upon request.  
             We congratulate you on your chosen field as a City of Austin public servant and wish you great success.  
              
              
              
             Joya Hayes  
             Director  
             Human Resources and Civil Service  
              
             Main Number for the Human Resources Department (HRD): 512-974-3400  
             HRD Web site: http://cityspace.ci.austin.tx.us/departments/hrm  
           
          
       
        
        
        
        
                                PREAMBLE  
        
      These Personnel Policies are approved by the City Manager and the Austin City Council as provided 
      in Article IX, Section 3 of the Charter of the City of Austin.  Chapter A of these Policies applies to non-
      Civil Service employees who, as affirmed by the citizens of Austin in a 1993 referendum, are at-will 
      employees. Chapter B of these Policies applies to Police, Fire Department and EMS Civil Service 
      employees who are covered by the Civil Service Act in Chapter 143 of the Texas Local Government 
      Code.  
        
      The purpose of these policies is to provide a set of principles for establishing and maintaining 
       harmonious and productive City employee relationships in the conduct of City business.  
        
      The fundamental objectives of good personnel administration as supported by these policies include:  
        
      1.  To promote and increase effectiveness, efficiency, and high quality performance in the service of 
         the City through systematic performance planning and review.  
        
      2.  To provide for fair and equal treatment of applicants and employees in accordance with 
         appropriate legislation and judicial mandates.  
        
      3.  To provide a program of recruitment, selection, and advancement that is based on qualifications 
         and demonstrated performance in order to make the service of the City attractive as a career and 
         encourage each employee to render his/her best services to the City.  
        
      4.  To establish and maintain an equitable and uniform plan of position classification and 
         compensation based upon the relative duties and responsibilities of positions in the service of the 
         City.  
        
      5.  To motivate employees to work toward the goals of the City administration by providing optimum 
         working environments and relationships, and opportunities for achievement, recognition, and 
         growth.  
        
      6.  To safeguard the employee’s right to be treated with respect, dignity, equity, and fairness.  
       
       
         CONTENTS  
         PREAMBLE  
        
        CHAPTER A: NON-CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES  
           
      I. CONDITIONS OF WORK ................................................................................................................................. 1 
        A. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AND ANTI-DISCRIMINATION ................................................... 1 
           1. Discrimination ...................................................................................................................................... 1 
           2. Harassment ......................................................................................................................................... 2 
           3. Sexual Harassment ............................................................................................................................. 2 
           4. Retaliation............................................................................................................................................ 3 
           5. Reporting Discrimination, Harassment or Retaliation ........................................................................... 3 
        B. EMPLOYEE CONDUCT ............................................................................................................................. 4 
        C. TIME AND ATTENDANCE ......................................................................................................................... 4 
           1. Hours of Work ...................................................................................................................................... 4 
           2. Attendance .......................................................................................................................................... 5 
           3. Overtime .............................................................................................................................................. 5 
        D. SAFETY ...................................................................................................................................................... 5 
        E. WEAPONS .................................................................................................................................................. 5 
        F. WORKING CONDITIONS ........................................................................................................................... 6 
        G. USE OF CITY RESOURCES ...................................................................................................................... 6 
        H. POLITICAL ACTIVITY ................................................................................................................................ 6 
        I.  SOLICITATION AND ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS ........................................................................................ 7 
        J. WORKING RELATIONSHIPS ..................................................................................................................... 7 
        K. HEALTH FITNESS ..................................................................................................................................... 7 
        L. OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT .......................................................................................................................... 8 
        M. ASSIGNMENT OF WAGES........................................................................................................................ 8 
        N. PAYROLL DEDUCTION ............................................................................................................................. 8 
        O. WITHHOLDING OF WAGES FOR PAST DUE TAXES .............................................................................. 8 
        P. BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ................................................................................................................. 8 
        Q. DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE ...................................................................................................................... 8 
        R. ALCOHOL AND DRUG POLICY FOR COMMERCIAL VEHICLE DRIVERS ............................................. 9 
           1. Policy ................................................................................................................................................... 9 
           2. Covered Employees and Applicants .................................................................................................... 9 
           3. Procedures and Implementation ........................................................................................................ 10 
           4. Educational Materials ........................................................................................................................ 10 
           5. Prohibitions ........................................................................................................................................ 10 
           6. Alcohol and Drug Testing ................................................................................................................... 11 
             a. Types of Testing.............................................................................................................................. 11 
                 (1) Pre-Employment Testing ...................................................................................................... 11 
                 (2) Post-Accident Testing ........................................................................................................... 11 
                 (3) Random Testing ................................................................................................................... 12 
                 (4) Reasonable Suspicion Testing .............................................................................................. 12 
                 (5) Return to Duty Testing .......................................................................................................... 12 
                 (6) Follow-Up Testing ................................................................................................................. 12 
             b. Substances and Methods of Testing ............................................................................................... 13 
           7. Consequences of Violations .............................................................................................................. 13 
        S. REPORTING FRAUD OR OTHER ILLEGAL ACTS ................................................................................. 14 
        T. PERSONNEL RECORDS ......................................................................................................................... 14 
       COA Personnel Policies                                                    Table of Contents