CITY OF PORTLAND

HUMAN RESOURCES

ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

CLASSIFICATION &

COMPENSATION

WORKING OUT OF CLASSIFICATION

Purpose

Higher pay when employees are assigned work in a higher classification is a legitimate recognition of the additional duties and responsibilities an employee may be required to assume.

Out of Class assignments are considered temporary, in that the employee performs the duties of a higher class for a limited time period, and then reverts to the regular duties and pay schedule upon completion of the assignment. Out of Class assignments may be made under the following circumstances:

1.  To replace employees in authorized positions who are on leave of absence; or

2.  To fill authorized position vacancies which have not been filled because of recruiting difficulties or hiring restrictions; or

3.  To meet critical business needs of a temporary nature by having an incumbent in an existing, authorized position perform work at a higher class level.

Compensation for out of class assignments may be provided only if assignment is preauthorized and the employee has substantially performed the work of the higher classification for five or more consecutive days.

Rate of Pay When Working Out Of Classification

FLSA exempt employees and non-represented FLSA employees working out of class for five or more consecutive days shall be paid an additional 5.0% of their base salary or the minimum rate of pay in the higher classification, whichever is higher. Employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement shall be paid in accordance with that contract.

When the time authorized for working out of classification ends, the employee will be returned to their former rate of pay. Employees do not receive out-of-class pay when on leave or holiday status.

During the out-of-class assignment, all other types of compensation/benefits and accrual rates will be at the level associated with the employee's regular classification.

Authorization for Out of Class Assignment Lasting 30 Days or Less

Working Out of Class shall not be paid retroactively. For Out of Class assignments lasting thirty (30) days or less, a bureau director, or designee, must approve a request for the out of class assignment prior to the start of the assignment. A request for out of class assignment should include:

1.  An explanation of why the higher level work is necessary;

2.  The title, classification code and pay range of the higher classification being requested;

3.  The title, code, pay range, and classification code of the employee (incumbent) that will be assigned the higher level duties;

4.  An indication of the length of time the higher level work will be performed.

Authorizations for out-of-class situations will apply only for the conditions and time period originally approved. Any subsequent situations will require the same pre-authorization process in order for the higher level work to be assigned and compensation to be paid. Personnel action notices (PAN) for Assignments Out of Classification must have the Director’s approval attached.

Compensation for Working Out of Class assignments of 30 days or less will be processed by TAAR override.

Authorization for Out of Class Assignments Lasting More Than 30 Days

(Working on Process with Class/Comp)

For Out of Class assignments lasting more than thirty (30) days, the Director of Human Resources, or designee, must give prior approval. The request shall include the same information outlined in the section above. The Bureau of Human Resources will track the duration of the assignment.

Authorizations for out-of-class situations will apply only for the conditions and time period originally approved. Any subsequent situations will require the same pre-authorization process to allow assignment of the higher level work and appropriate compensation.

Compensation for Working Out of Class Assignments lasting more than 30 days will be processed by an EPAN.

Training and Out of Class Compensation

An out-of-class assignment made specifically for training purposes does not qualify for out-of-class compensation. See Administrative Rule on Training Plans.

Administrative Rule History

Adopted by Council March 6, 2002

Effective April 5, 2002