CREA Employee Handbook (Updated 2026)


1.0 Introductory Language and Policies
16

1.1 Revisions to Handbook
16

1.2 Ethics Code
16

1.3 Ethics Hotline
16

1.4 Social Media
18

2.0 Hiring and Orientation Policies
22

2.1 Religious Accommodation
22

2.2 Disability Accommodation
22

2.3 Accommodations for Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Related Medical Conditions
23

2.4 Employment Authorization Verification
24

2.5 Posting of Openings
24

2.6 Employee Referral Program
24

2.7 Job Descriptions
24

2.8 Job Selection Procedure
25

2.9 New Hires and Introductory Periods
25

2.10 Training Program
25

2.11 Conflicts of Interest
25

2.12 Employment of Relatives and Friends
26

3.0 Benefits
28

3.1 Jury Duty Leave
28

3.2 MyCREABenefits.com
28

3.3 CREA's 401(k) Retirement Readiness Plan
28

3.4 Continuing Education
28

3.5 Tuition Reimbursement
29

3.6 Paid Time Off (PTO) & Floating Holiday
29

3.7 Family and Medical Leave (FMLA)
31

3.8 Parental, Maternity, and Adoption Leave
35

3.9 Bereavement Leave
36

3.10 Personal Leave of Absence
37

3.11 Military Leave (USERRA)
38

3.12 Employment Classifications
38

3.13 Workers' Compensation Insurance
38

3.14 Unemployment Compensation Insurance
39

3.15 COBRA
39

4.0 Wage and Hour Policies
41

4.1 Introduction to Wage and Hour Policies
41

4.2 Attendance
41

4.3 Recording Time
41

4.4 Paycheck Deductions
42

4.5 Direct Deposit
42

5.0 Performance, Discipline, Layoff, and Termination
44

5.1 Standards of Conduct
44

5.2 Open Door/Conflict Resolution Process
44

5.3 Performance Reviews
45

5.4 Disciplinary Process
45

5.5 Outside Employment
45

5.6 Criminal Activity/Arrests
46

5.7 Resignation Policy
46

5.8 Exit Interview
46

5.9 Employment Verification
46

6.0 General Policies
48

6.1 Confidentiality and Nondisclosure of Trade Secrets
48

6.2 Client, Visitor & Vendor Relations
48

6.3 Personal Appearance
48

6.4 Fraternization
48

6.5 Third Party Disclosures
48

6.6 Personal Cell Phone/Mobile Device Use
49

6.7 Mail Use
49

6.8 Personal Data Changes
49

6.9 Driving Record
49

6.10 Telecommuting & Work Strategy
49

6.11 Minors in the Workplace
50

6.12 Employer Sponsored Social Events
50

6.13 Off-Duty Use of Employer Property or Premises
50

6.14 Nonsolicitation/Nondistribution Policy
50

6.15 Workplace Privacy and Right to Inspect
51

6.16 Other Policies
51

7.0 Safety and Loss Prevention
53

7.1 General Safety
53

7.2 Security
53

7.3 Workplace Violence
53

7.4 Drug and Alcohol Policy
54

7.5 Workplace Tobacco Usage
55

California Policies
59

Hiring and Orientation Policies
59

Communications Regarding Religious or Political Matters
59

EEO Statement and Nonharassment Policy
59

Policy Against Workplace Harassment
60

Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Accommodation
62

Benefits
63

Leave and Accommodations for Victims of Violence
63

Reproductive Loss Leave
63

Civil Air Patrol Leave
64

Bereavement Leave
65

Disability Insurance
65

Paid Family Leave Insurance
66

Bone Marrow and Organ Donation Leave
66

California Family Rights Act (CFRA) Leave
66

Military Spouse Leave
69

Paid Sick and Safe Leave (Accrual Method)
69

San Diego Earned Sick Leave
70

Pregnancy Disability Leave
70

Voting Leave
73

Witness Leave
73

School Disciplinary Leave
73

Wage and Hour Policies
74

Pay Period
74

Workday/Workweek
74

Meal and Rest Periods
74

Travel Time Pay
75

Overtime
75

Lactation Accommodations
75

Wage Disclosure Protection
76

Safety and Loss Prevention
77

Indoor Heat Illness Prevention
77

General Policies
78

Access to Personnel and Medical Records Files
78

Whistleblower Protections
78

Colorado Policies
79

Hiring and Orientation Policies
79

EEO Statement and Nonharassment Policy
79

Benefits
80

Paid Public Health Emergency Leave
80

Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance
81

Civil Air Patrol Leave
82

Domestic Violence Leave
83

Family Care Leave
84

Paid Sick Leave (Accrual Method)
84

Voting Leave
86

Wage and Hour Policies
86

Accommodations for Nursing Mothers
86

Colorado Overtime & Minimum Pay Standards (COMPS) Order Notice
86

Meal and Rest Periods
86

Overtime
87

Pay Period
87

Travel Time Pay
87

Safety and Loss Prevention
88

Colorado Workplace Public Health Rights Notice
88

General Policies
88

Access to Personnel and Medical Records Files
88

Florida Policies
89

Hiring and Orientation Policies
89

EEO Statement and Nonharassment Policy
89

Policy Against Workplace Harassment
89

Benefits
90

Civil Air Patrol Leave
90

Domestic/Sexual Violence Leave
91

Voting Leave
92

Wage and Hour Policies
92

Pay Period
92

Meal and Rest Periods
92

Travel Time Pay
93

Overtime
93

Accommodations for Nursing Mothers
94

General Policies
94

Access to Personnel and Medical Records Files
94

Illinois Policies
95

Hiring and Orientation Policies
95

Communications Regarding Religious or Political Matters
95

EEO Statement and Nonharassment Policy
95

Benefits
98

Military Funeral Honors Detail Leave
98

Paid Leave (Accrual Method)
99

Election Judge Leave
100

Civil Air Patrol Leave
100

Bereavement Leave
101

Blood and Organ Donation Leave
102

Leave for Victims of Domestic, Sexual, Gender, or Criminal Violence (VESSA Leave)
103

Family Military Leave
105

Voting Leave
105

Witness Leave
105

Wage and Hour Policies
106

One Day Rest in Seven
106

Pay Period
106

Meal and Rest Periods
106

Travel Time Pay
106

Overtime
107

Accommodations for Nursing Mothers
107

General Policies
108

Use of Employer-Provided Equipment
108

Access to Personnel and Medical Records Files
108

Indiana Policies
110

Hiring and Orientation Policies
110

EEO Statement and Nonharassment Policy
110

Policy Against Workplace Harassment
110

Benefits
111

Child Conference Leave
111

Employment Protections for Mobile Support Unit Members
112

Employment Protections for Civil Air Patrol Members
112

Court Attendance and Witness Leave
113

Military Family Leave
113

Voting Leave
113

Wage and Hour Policies
114

Pay Period
114

Meal and Rest Periods
114

Travel Time Pay
114

Overtime
115

Accommodations for Nursing Mothers
115

General Policies
115

Access to Personnel and Medical Records Files
115

Kentucky Policies
116

Hiring and Orientation Policies
116

EEO Statement and Nonharassment Policy
116

Policy Against Workplace Harassment
116

Benefits
117

Adoption Leave
117

Court Attendance Leave
117

Election Officer Leave
118

Voting Leave
118

Wage and Hour Policies
118

Accommodations for Nursing Mothers
118

Meal and Rest Periods
118

Overtime
119

Pay Period
119

Travel Time Pay
119

General Policies
120

Access to Personnel and Medical Records Files
120

Massachusetts Policies
121

Hiring and Orientation Policies
121

EEO Statement and Nonharassment Policy
121

Policy Against Workplace Harassment
121

Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Notice
123

Benefits
123

Paid Family and Medical Leave
123

Crime Victim and Witness Leave
125

Domestic Violence Leave
126

Paid Sick Leave (Accrual Method)
126

Parental Leave
128

Small Necessities Leave
128

Voting Leave
128

Wage and Hour Policies
128

Pay Period
128

Meal and Rest Periods
129

Travel Time Pay
129

Overtime
129

Accommodations for Nursing Mothers
130

Wage Disclosure Protection
130

General Policies
130

Access to Personnel and Medical Records Files
130

Michigan Policies
132

Hiring and Orientation Policies
132

EEO Statement and Nonharassment Policy
132

Policy Against Workplace Harassment
132

Benefits
133

Earned Sick Leave - Accrual Method
133

Employment Protections for Civil Air Patrol Members
135

Crime Victim Leave
136

Voting Leave
136

Wage and Hour Policies
136

Accommodations for Nursing Mothers
136

Meal and Rest Periods
137

Overtime
137

Pay Period
137

Travel Time Pay
137

General Policies
138

Social Security Number Privacy
138

Access to Personnel and Medical Records Files
138

Missouri Policies
140

Hiring and Orientation Policies
140

EEO Statement and Nonharassment Policy
140

Policy Against Workplace Harassment
140

Benefits
141

Civil Air Patrol Leave
141

Victim and Witness Leave
142

Voting Leave
142

Wage and Hour Policies
142

Pay Period
142

Meal and Rest Periods
143

Travel Time Pay
143

Overtime
143

Accommodations for Nursing Mothers
144

General Policies
144

Access to Personnel and Medical Records Files
144

New Jersey Policies
145

Hiring and Orientation Policies
145

Communications Regarding Religious or Political Matters
145

EEO Statement and Nonharassment Policy
145

Policy Against Workplace Harassment
146

Benefits
147

Bone Marrow and Organ Donation Leave
147

Family Leave
147

Family Leave Insurance
150

New Jersey SAFE Act Leave
152

Paid Sick Leave (Accrual Method)
153

Temporary Disability Insurance
155

Voting Leave
155

Wage and Hour Policies
155

Pay Period
155

Meal and Rest Periods
156

Travel Time Pay
156

Overtime
156

Accommodations for Nursing Mothers
157

Trade Secrets and Inventions
157

Confidentiality and Nondisclosure of Trade Secrets
157

General Policies
157

Access to Personnel and Medical Records Files
157

New York Policies
158

Hiring and Orientation Policies
158

Reproductive Health Rights Notice
158

Communications Regarding Religious or Political Matters
158

EEO Statement and Nonharassment Policy
159

Policy Against Workplace Harassment
159

Sexual Harassment Prevention
161

Benefits
170

Paid Prenatal Personal Leave
170

Accommodations for Victims of Domestic Violence
170

Blood and Bone Marrow Donation Leave
171

Crime Victim and Witness Leave
171

Disability Benefits
172

Military Spouse Leave
172

Paid Family Leave
173

Paid Sick Leave (Accrual Method)
174

Voting Leave
176

Wage and Hour Policies
177

Accommodations for Nursing Mothers
177

Pay Period
178

Meal Periods
178

Travel Time Pay
178

Overtime
178

Wage Disclosure Protection
178

General Policies
179

Airborne Infectious Disease Exposure Prevention Plan
179

Access to Personnel and Medical Records Files
184

New York City Policies
184

Ohio Policies
186

Hiring and Orientation Policies
186

EEO Statement and Nonharassment Policy
186

Policy Against Workplace Harassment
186

Benefits
187

Crime Victim and Witness Leave
187

Election Official Leave
188

Emergency Services Leave
188

Military Family Leave
188

Voting Leave
189

Wage and Hour Policies
189

Accommodations for Nursing Mothers
189

Meal and Rest Periods
189

Overtime
189

Pay Period
190

Travel Time Pay
190

General Policies
191

Access to Personnel and Medical Records Files
191

Oregon Policies
192

Hiring and Orientation Policies
192

Communications Regarding Religious or Political Matters
192

EEO Statement and Nonharassment Policy
192

Policy Against Workplace Harassment
193

Benefits
195

Sick Leave (Accrual Method)
195

State Board or Commission Leave
197

Legislative Leave
198

Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance
198

Juvenile Court Attendance Leave
200

Bone Marrow Donation Leave
200

Crime Victim Leave
200

Leave for Victims of Domestic Violence, Harassment, Sexual Assault, Bias, or Stalking
201

Voting Leave
202

Wage and Hour Policies
202

Predictive Scheduling
202

Pay Period
204

Meal and Rest Periods
204

Travel Time Pay
205

Overtime
206

Accommodations for Nursing Mothers
206

Wage Disclosure Protection
206

General Policies
207

Access to Personnel and Medical Records Files
207

South Carolina Policies
208

Print Name
208

Hiring and Orientation Policies
208

EEO Statement and Nonharassment Policy
208

Benefits
210

Emergency Service Workers Leave
210

Isolation and Quarantine Leave
210

Crime Victim and Witness Leave
210

Voting Leave
210

Wage and Hour Policies
210

Pay Period
210

Meal and Rest Periods
211

Travel Time Pay
211

Overtime
211

Accommodations for Nursing Mothers
212

General Policies
212

Access to Personnel and Medical Records Files
212

Texas Policies
213

Hiring and Orientation Policies
213

EEO Statement and Nonharassment Policy
213

Policy Against Workplace Harassment
213

Benefits
214

Political Convention Leave
214

Voting Leave
215

Witness Leave
215

Wage and Hour Policies
215

Accommodations for Nursing Mothers
215

Meal and Rest Periods
215

Overtime
215

Pay Period
215

Travel Time Pay
216

General Policies
216

Access to Personnel and Medical Records Files
216

Vermont Policies
218

Hiring and Orientation Policies
218

Communications Regarding Religious or Political Matters
218

EEO Statement and Nonharassment Policy
218

Policy Against Workplace Harassment
219

Benefits
220

Vermont Parental, Bereavement, Safe, Qualifying Exigency, and Family Leave
220

Court Attendance and Witness Leave
223

Crime Victim Leave
223

Legislative Leave
225

Paid Sick Leave (Accrual Method)
225

Short Term Family Leave
226

Town Meeting Leave
227

Wage and Hour Policies
227

Accommodations for Nursing Mothers
227

Meal and Rest Periods
227

Overtime
228

Pay Period
228

Travel Time Pay
228

General Policies
229

Access to Personnel and Medical Records Files
229

Virginia Policies
230

Hiring and Orientation Policies
230

EEO Statement and Nonharassment Policy
230

Policy Against Workplace Harassment
230

Benefits
231

Election Worker Leave
231

Civil Air Patrol Leave
232

Bone Marrow and Organ Donation Leave
232

Court Attendance and Witness Leave
233

Crime Victim Leave
233

Voting Leave
234

Wage and Hour Policies
234

Pay Period
234

Meal and Rest Periods
234

Travel Time Pay
234

Overtime
235

Accommodations for Nursing Mothers
235

Wage Disclosure Protection
236

General Policies
236

Access to Personnel and Medical Records Files
236

Washington Policies
237

Hiring and Orientation Policies
237

Communications Regarding Religious or Political Matters
237

EEO Statement and Nonharassment Policy
237

Policy Against Workplace Harassment
238

Accommodations for Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking, or Hate Crimes
239

Benefits
240

Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance
240

Family Care Leave
241

Pregnancy Disability Leave
242

Leave for Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking, or Hate Crimes
242

Military Family Leave
243

Paid Sick Leave (Accrual Method)
243

Voting Leave
245

Wage and Hour Policies
245

Pay Period
245

Meal and Rest Periods
245

Travel Time Pay
245

Overtime
245

Accommodations for Nursing Mothers
245

Wage Disclosure Protection
246

General Policies
246

Access to Personnel and Medical Records Files
246

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