FAQs - Human Resources

• Can I donate time to another employee in need?

  • Yes, employees may donate up to 40 hours of vacation time to another Monroe County employee who has a serious health condition as defined by the Family and Medical Leave Act.
    • The 40 hour maximum is per donating employee per calendar year.
  • The Vacation Donation Request Form has been updated. Going forward please complete all donation requests on the updated form which can be found on our webpage under the Guides - Policies - Forms section.

• Can I enter my hours worked in 1/4 hour increments?

  Yes, time worked can be entered in 1/4 hour increments on the time entry screen in ESS.

  • Examples: 1:15pm and 1:45pm

• Can I use my work computer/laptop, cell phone, or the County network for personal use?

  No, the Monroe County Network and Computer Use and Email policies state the following:

  • Monroe County provides computer/laptop and phone devices and network access as a professional resource for employees to fulfill business needs and is not intended for personal use.
  • Monroe County email accounts should be used for Monroe County business-related purposes; non-Monroe County related uses are prohibited.
    • All use of email and messaging tools must be consistent with Monroe County policies and procedures of ethical conduct, safety, compliance with applicable laws and proper business practices.
      • This includes the use of business appropriate language.
        • **If you have any questions regarding IT related policies please contact the IT Help Desk at: IS.HelpDesk@co.monroe.wi.us

• Does Monroe County offer staff any opportunities to volunteer outside of work?

  Yes! Monroe County encourages employees to become involved in their communities, lending their voluntary support to programs that positively impact the quality of life within these communities.  Benefit eligible employees are provided with eight (8) hours of paid time off each calendar year to participate in a volunteer program. 

• How can I change my direct deposit information?

  1.  Reach out to the HR Dept. to obtain the Direct Deposit Authorization form
  2.  Complete the Direct Deposit form & return with proof of your new account
     1.  Proof must be in the form of a voided check or letter from your bank that includes all account information
  3.  Verbally authorize your direct deposit request for change with the HR Dept.

  Tip: Direct Deposit changes are due the Friday before payroll week at noon to be effective for the current payroll processing. 

• How can I get Monroe County swag?

  • There are three different ways to obtain Monroe County swag (t-shirt, bag, etc.):
    • Earn items through the Recognition Program for Years of Service
    • Complete a Recognition Order Request form and submit to HR
      • This form can be found on our website within the Guides - Policies - Forms section
    • Your supervisor can submit a Manager Request for Recognition form for staff who provide exceptional performance and service to Monroe County
      • This form can be found on our website within the Guides - Policies - Forms section

• How do I avoid losing any of my accrued vacation time?

  • Your vacation accrual will face 'use it or lose it' on your employment anniversary date each year.
  • You are allowed to rollover your annual accrual amount plus 40 hours from one year to the next.
    • Examples:

      • Length of Continuous Services	Hours of Vacation Accrued Annually	Maximum amount allowed on your anniversary date
        0-5 years	80 hours	120 hours
        5-13 years	120 hours	160 hours
        13-21 years	160 hours	200 hours
        21+ years	184 hours	224 hours

• How do I ensure I get paid for the holiday?

  • To be eligible for holiday pay, you should not have leave without pay (LWOP) the day before or the day after the holiday.
    • If you have irregular or flexible hours in your schedule you must meet the requirement of your scheduled work week prior to and after the observed holiday.
      • Example: The observed holiday falls on a Friday. The employee would have to have 32 hrs. of paid time prior to the holiday and have paid time for the next scheduled workday after the holiday. Any altered schedule must be approved by the department head or designee.

• How do I update my home address?

  Your address can be updated in Employee Self Service (ESS) within the Personal Information tab.

  • https://monroewi.munisselfservice.com/login.aspx

• How much sick time can I use towards care of a member of my immediate family per year?

  • Up to a maximum of 40 hours of your sick time can be used per year to care and attend to a member of your immediate family (spouse, child, or other relative who is a member of your immediate household).
    • This policy is separate from FMLA related leaves. Contact HR with any questions regarding FMLA.

• Is there any incentive to providing my retirement notice early?

  Yes. Employees who give advanced written notice to their department head and/or direct supervisor and the HR Department of 4 months or more shall be entitled to an additional 10% of sick time payout in addition to the 25% authorized in section 4.25(2)(f) of the Personnel Policy Manual. 

• What increment of time can accruals be used in?

  Vacation, Sick Time, & Floating Holiday can be used in half-hour increments. 

• When can I make changes to my state & federal withholdings?

  • You can make a change to your state and federal withholdings anytime throughout the year. The beginning of a new year is a good time to review your withholdings  following receipt of your W-2 form to ensure your withholdings are set up as you want for the  current year.
    • Please note when making a change to your W-4 and WT-4 withholdings you must submit your changes  prior to 12pm on the Friday before payroll week in order for the change to be effective for that payroll.
    • Withholding changes can be completed in Employee Self Service (ESS) within the Pay/Tax Information tab and by selecting W-4 
      • https://monroewi.munisselfservice.com/login.aspx

• When can Leave Without Pay (LWOP) be taken?

  Leave Without Pay (LWOP) can only be taken when all other accruals have been utilized and with the proper approval of the HR Department by submitting the MC-1 Leave of Absence Request Form.

  • Form MC-1 can be found on our webpage within the Guides - Policies - Forms section. 

• When do Pay for Performance increases become effective each year?

  Pay for Performance increases become effective the first full pay-period in the month of April the following year.

  Example: Pay for Performance evaluation was for 2023; the increase would go into effect April of 2024

• When is overtime applied?

  • Full-time Exempt: Overtime Accrual of compensatory time shall be allowed for necessary work in excess of eighty (80) hours worked in a bi-weekly pay period, excluding paid time off, with prior approval of the employee’s department head or designee.
  • Full-time Non-Exempt: Overtime shall be allowed for necessary work in excess of forty (40) hours worked in a Sunday -Saturday workweek, excluding paid time off, with prior approval of the employee’s department head or designated department staff.

   Notes

  • Overtime for the Sheriff’s Office Jailer and Jail Sergeant positions are calculated based on any hours over 86 in a 14-day work period (bi-weekly pay period).
  • Employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement shall be governed by contractual language relative to overtime and/or compensatory time.

• Will Floating Holiday be lost if not used by the end of the calendar year?

  • Yes. Floating Holiday is lost if not used within the calendar year.
  • A new allotment of Floating Holiday is provided to staff in January of the new year. 

• Will I earn extra Sick time during months that have 3 pay dates?

  • Sick Time is earned at 8 hours per month worked and is split into two 4 hour increments which are earned on the 1st and 2nd pay dates each month.
  • No Sick Time will be accumulated if there is a 3rd pay date.