Hourly & Seasonal Employees

Overtime

Any overtime worked will be paid at an overtime rate of 1.5 times the employee's regular pay.

Sick Leave

Hourly and seasonal employees earn 1 day (8 hours) of sick leave for every 200 hours worked, up to a total of 3 sick days in a calendar year.

Seasonal employees may not carry over sick leave from one year to the next. At the time of seasonal layoff, a seasonal employee shall be paid 50% of the value of any unused sick leave. If employment is terminated before the end of the season or payroll year, the employee forfeits accumulated sick time.

Library pages and other non-seasonal hourly employees may carry over a maximum of three (3) sick days for the next calendar year for a total of six (6) allowable days. Sick leave cannot be greater than six (6) days in any subsequent calendar year.

Holiday Pay

An hourly employee who works the scheduled work day before and the scheduled work day after the holiday (or has absence pre-approved in writing by the supervisor) will receive pay for the holiday.

Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS)

Employees will be notified and automatically enrolled when they are eligible for WRS participation. Employees are eligible after completion of 12 months of employment and working a set number of hours per calendar year.

An employee who participated in WRS before July 1, 2011 and has not taken a lump sum/annuity benefit from that participation: Upon completion of 12 months of employment and working at least 600 hours in a rolling calendar period, the employee is eligible to participate in the retirement system.
An employee who did not participate in WRS before July 1, 2011 or has taken a lump sum/annuity benefit from their participation before July 1, 2011: Upon completion of 12 months of employment and working at least 1200 hours in a rolling calendar period, the employee is eligible to participate in the retirement system.

The City of Madison and the employee each contribute a percentage based on earnings, determined by WRS. Employee contributions are deducted from their pay check.

Health Insurance

Any hourly employee who is enrolled in WRS is also eligible to enroll in the City’s health insurance plans. However, the City of Madison will not contribute to the cost of the health insurance premium until the employee has been participating with WRS for six (6) complete months. You will be notified when you are eligible for this benefit.

After completion of six months of WRS participation the contribution the City will make toward the health insurance premium will be based on the number of hours worked by the hourly employee in the preceding 12 months.

An employee who worked 600-1044 hours in the previous 12 months will be eligible for 25% of the regular City contribution to their health insurance premium.
An employee who worked more than 1044 hours in the previous 12 months will be eligible for 50% of the regular City contribution to their health insurance premium.

The number of hours worked will be reevaluated on an annual basis. Any change to the City’s contribution will go into effect for January’s coverage.

Affordable Care Act Information for City of Madison Employees Who Are Not Eligible for Employer-Provided Health Insurance

2024 Health Insurance Premium Rates

Worker’s Compensation & Unemployment

Hourly and seasonal employees will receive Worker’s Compensation and Unemployment benefits as provided in the Wisconsin State Statutes.

Eligibility for Applying for City Positions

An hourly/seasonal employee is eligible to apply and compete for position vacancies that are open only to current City employees as well as those open to the general public. Some vacancies may limit applicants to those currently employed in a specific department/division; information will be included in the announcement.

If an hourly/seasonal employee is selected for a permanent position and has not had a break in service, the employee may be given credits for the length of their hourly/seasonal employment. Based on the total hours of employment, you may also be credited with vacation and sick leave, which will be given upon successful completion of a probation period.

APM 3-7 states that City employees may hold only one position or classification with the City of Madison at one time.

City of Madison Metro Bus Pass

An hourly/seasonal employee is eligible to receive a City of Madison employee bus pass for use while actively employed. An employee must present their City of Madison photo ID at the City Treasurer’s Office, Room 107 in the City-County Building, to receive the bus pass. The pass must be renewed each year.

More Information

For more information, view the handout on hourly and seasonal benefits and Appendix A of the Employee Benefits Handbook.