Frequently Asked Questions
Benefit FAQs
Can I retire instead of being laid off? How much notice do I have to give? Who do I contact for more info?
If you are laid off, you will be separated in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) records and will be able to file for retirement benefits if you meet the minimum retirement eligibility criteria.
CalPERS recommends that you begin the retirement process at least 30 days, but not more than 90 days, before separation. You can run a retirement estimate by logging into www.my.calpers.ca.gov.
Please contact Employee Benefits to discuss retirement processes and to learn of County benefits that may be available to you as a retiree. To schedule a retirement appointment, contact the Employee Benefits Team at 831-755-5115 or by email at benefitshelp@co.monterey.ca.us. General CalPERS information is available on their website at www.calpers.ca.gov. CalPERS will not be able to address benefits that have been negotiated through your bargaining unit. For specific information, please review your MOU or, if unrepresented, the PPPR, each of which are available on the County website.
Appointments are required in order to meet with an Employee Benefits staff member.
You may file for Unemployment Insurance benefits (UI) immediately following separation from work. The fastest and most convenient way to file a claim for UI benefits is online at www.edd.ca.gov. If you do not have a computer, try accessing one at your local library, through a friend or neighbor, or contact the S.E.E.K. Liaison at 1-831-755-5130 for additional guidance.
If you are planning to retire immediately after separation, contact the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) at 1-888-225-7377 or www.calpers.ca.gov to determine if filing for Unemployment Insurance benefits will have an effect on your retirement benefits or your ability, as a retiree, to return to work for another PERS employer.
EAP benefits may be available to you for up to 3 months providing you contact the EAP within 30 days of your separation date.
In order to retire, an employee must have a minimum of (five) 5 years of service credit and be at least 50 years of age if you are a Classic Member and 52 years of age if you are a PEPRA Member. If your position is identified as one that is subject to layoff, you may work with a HR Professional Coach to attempt to find other work within the County so that you can continue to earn service credit. Once you meet all of the eligibility criteria, you may resign your position and file for retirement.
If you separate from the county you will have medical insurance for the month in which you were employed plus one additional month. Dental and vision coverage will end on the last day of the month of separation. In general, employees who are currently enrolled in health, dental, and vision through their employment with the County, and who are separated from employment, are able to continue their benefits for up to 18 months, subject to continued eligibility. Please schedule an appointment with a HR Professional Coach to discuss benefits and costs.
Human Resources FAQs
Can I get a letter of recommendation for future employers to say I was not let go due to disciplinary issues?
The notification of lay-off states that due to budgetary constraints, the employee is being laid off. You could provide this to potential employers if you chose to do so. The County will follow its standard practices for reference checks from other employers.- If someone in your department in the same job title leaves, it may mean a vacant position would be eliminated rather than your position. You can speak with your Human Resources representative if you have any questions about circumstances in your department.
- It depends on your individual work history and the positions in your department. You can get more specific information from your departmental Human Resources representative.
Through an appointment with your HR Professional Coach, information will be provided to you on the available positions within the County.
Order of lay-off is determined by seniority. Human Resources has created seniority lists for the employees in their departments. The person with the least seniority in the department in the identified classification is the person who will receive the lay-off notice.
- You can talk with the Human Resources representative in your department for additional information. Also, your union representatives are provided a copy of the seniority list(s) for impacted classes.
- A seniority list takes into consideration an employee’s entire work history with the County, including breaks in service, leave of absences, regular work schedule, etc. Employees earn seniority in each classification they have held. The seniority list ranks employees in the classification(s) they have held while working for the County.
- For information about which positions may have been affected in your department, speak with your Human Resources representative.
- The County must provide you at least 21 days notice before the effective date of a lay-off. Your notice of lay-off will tell you when the actual lay-off date is effective.
If I apply for a job with someone else, will it hurt my chances of being hired because I was laid off?
The County is not aware of other employers’ considerations when making hiring decisions, but being laid off for budgetary reasons is very different than being released for poor performance or misconduct.- When an employee who has received a notice of lay-off chooses to be ranked in a previous class in the same department, and the employee has greater seniority in that class than employees currently in that class in the same department, they can elect to “bump” the employee with the least seniority in that class, meaning the employee with less seniority is laid off.
- Someone from your department will meet with you to complete your exit paperwork. Those items will be collected at that time.
What if I am not being laid off but would like to move to another department or position, can I use your services?
Yes. S.E.E.K. services are also available to those who may be looking for a change in their career. We will offer you a coach, and access to classes to assist you with resume writing, interviewing skills or change management.
There are a lot of places you can turn to for help. Your best point of contact is our S.E.E.K Program. The S.E.E.K. Coordinator can connect you with a HR Professional Coach, provide training, tell you what other resources may be available and much more. The County’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) also has many resources available to you and anyone living in your home.
Their services include counseling assistance, financial and legal consultation among others. They can be reached at 1-800-638-3327 or visit FEI at www.feieap.com and use username: monterey. Your Human Resources representative can also provide you with a brochure about the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).- The County of Monterey values the contribution of all its employees and deeply regrets having to lay-off even one person. Being laid off doesn’t mean we don’t want you as an employee. There is no way to know when, or if, your job might be available again. However, the S.E.E.K. team is available to help you during this transition period.
SEEK Program FAQs
Job search related trainings are available through the S.E.E.K. program based on demand. Please visit the S.E.E.K. website or contact the S.E.E.K. Coordinator at (831)755-5130 for availability of courses.
There are several ways to receive help in either creating or updating your resume. Your S.E.E.K. Coach and the S.E.E.K. Coordinator will be available to assist you. You can also sign up for a Resume Writing course by calling (831) 755-5130.
How can someone who doesn’t have access to a computer at work use the website and look for other employment?
We have several locations available for free computer access for your job search activities. Your S.E.E.K. Coach will be able to provide you with a list of locations and days/times of accessibility.
Qualified, trained S.E.E.K. Coaches will work with you on an individual basis to show you how to navigate through both the S.E.E.K. and County of Monterey websites for up to date information on possible County job openings. If you find a position of interest, the coach will help you identify your transferable skills for a possible job match. If you are interested in the position and would like to obtain more information, they can help arrange an informational interview with the department or a job shadow. The coach will also be able to help guide you through the application or transfer process, whichever is appropriate.
I already have a whole lot of stress in my life and now I’m dealing with a job change or possibly unemployment! Is there anywhere I can get some assistance?
Yes! The Employee Assistance Program is immediately available to you. This program has a variety of ways to help you, from individual counseling to assisting you to find resources. Additionally, they offer workshops that may help you through this period of transition. For assistance please call the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at 1-800-638-3327 or visit FEI at www.feieap.com and use username: monterey.
Our HR Professional Coaches will be available to work with you on an individual basis to assist you with any questions regarding interviewing. Our coaches have all participated on interview panels and can speak from experience to provide you with information to help you in your interview. We are able to provide “mock” interviews should you want to have some real practice time. Additionally, S.E.E.K. staff can provide group sessions on how to successfully interview.
Will there be anyone in the S.E.E.K. Program to help answer my questions regarding benefits such as medical?
Your S.E.E.K. Coach will be working closely with Risk Management to refer you to a specialist in the Risk Management Division for all questions regarding benefits such as; PERS, 401K, medical, dental, vision, etc.