Time Off and Leaves

The County of Alameda (County) provides employees with a range of time-away-from work opportunities, including paid holidays, vacation time and paid or unpaid leaves of absence. This section provides information on the County’s various programs.

Contact the Employee Benefits Center (EBC), if you have questions.

Holidays

The County observes the following holidays:

  • New Year’s Day
  • Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday
  • Lincoln’s Birthday
  • Washington’s Birthday
  • Memorial Day
  • Juneteenth Day
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Veteran’s Day
  • Thanksgiving
  • Friday after Thanksgiving
  • Christmas Day

In addition, most employees receive up to four (4) floating holidays each year.  Employees hired prior to July 1 are eligible to receive the floating holidays.  Employees hired on or after July 1 receive the floating holidays the following calendar year. This benefit is pro-rated for part-time employees.

Note: Refer to your Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or the Administrative Code for your eligibility and your floating holiday maximum per year.

Vacation

Most County employees accrue vacation time on the following schedule:

Years of Employment Vacation Accrued
First 4 years 2 weeks
4 to 11 years 3 weeks
11 to 20 years 4 weeks
Over 20 years 5 weeks

Refer to your MOU or Administrative Code for your eligibility. Your vacation accrual maximums.

Vacation

Most County employees accrue vacation time on the following schedule:

Years of Employment/ 
Vacation Accrued

First 4 years – 2 weeks
5 to 11 years – 3 weeks
12 to 20 years – 4 weeks
Over 20 years – 5 weeks

Refer to your MOU or Administrative Code for your eligibility. Your vacation accrual maximums.

Vacation Purchase Program

The County’s Vacation Purchase Program offers eligible employees the opportunity to purchase 1- or 2-weeks of additional vacation through payroll deductions.  Participation in the Vacation Purchase Program is made during the County’s annual Open Enrollment.

Your eligibility to participate in the Vacation Purchase Program during Open Enrollment is based on your vacation purchase plan balance as of a specific eligibility cut-off date each year (announced prior to Open Enrollment). Here’s how this works:

Vacation Purchase Program Eligibility

Vacation Purchase Plan Balance as of Annual Eligibility Cut-Off Date Eligibility to Purchase Vacation
5.1 days or more You are ineligible to purchase for the coming Benefit Plan Year
0.1 to 5.0 days Purchase 1 week
0 days Purchase 1 week to 2 weeks

The cost to purchase additional vacation is based on your pay. Your contributions toward the program are deducted from your pay in equal increments on a pre-tax basis throughout the year.

Note: If you experience a pay rate change during the Benefit Plan Year (e.g. resulting from a promotion or job change), your total annual vacation purchase cost will not be adjusted.

  • Vacation purchase hours are not eligible for County Contribution towards health premiums.
  • Vacation purchase hours are not considered eligible service hours toward retirement.
  • Vacation purchase hours use is subject to the same parameters as leave without pay hours (for the purpose of accruals and other benefits).

Refer to your MOU for your eligibility to participate in the Vacation Purchase Program and details on how the Vacation Purchase Program works.  

Vacation Purchase Program

The County’s Vacation Purchase Program offers eligible employees the opportunity to purchase 1- or 2-weeks of additional vacation through payroll deductions.  Participation in the Vacation Purchase Program is made during the County’s annual Open Enrollment.

Your eligibility to participate in the Vacation Purchase Program during Open Enrollment is based on your vacation purchase plan balance as of a specific eligibility cut-off date each year (announced prior to Open Enrollment). Here’s how this works:

Vacation Purchase Program Eligibility

Vacation Purchase Plan Balance as of Annual Eligibility Cut-Off Date/
Eligibility to Purchase Vacation

5.1 days or more
You are ineligible to purchase for the coming Benefit Plan Year

0.1 to 5.0 days
Purchase 1 week

0 days
Purchase 1 week to 2 weeks

The cost to purchase additional vacation is based on your pay. Your contributions toward the program are deducted from your pay in equal increments on a pre-tax basis throughout the year.

Note: If you experience a pay rate change during the Benefit Plan Year (e.g. resulting from a promotion or job change), your total annual vacation purchase cost will not be adjusted.

  • Vacation purchase hours are not eligible for County Contribution towards health premiums.
  • Vacation purchase hours are not considered eligible service hours toward retirement.
  • Vacation purchase hours use is subject to the same parameters as leave without pay hours (for the purpose of accruals and other benefits).

Refer to your MOU for your eligibility to participate in the Vacation Purchase Program and details on how the Vacation Purchase Program works.