Section 2.11. Leaves. An authorized paid or unpaid absence or vacation from duty or employment for a specified period of time.

Section 2.12. Personnel Appeals Board. A three-member board created by the City Charter, the members of which are appointed by the City Council for the purpose of hearing appeals by City employees in the classified service who are not part of a grievance procedure under a labor contract, and who have been suspended, demoted in position or compensation, or discharged.

Section 2.13. Probation. That period of time which begins immediately after a person becomes a full-time employee of the City. All full-time appointees shall serve a minimum probationary period of one year unless specified to the contrary in the current applicable collective bargaining agreement.

Section 2.14. Regular Part-time Employees. Employees working twenty-nine (29) hours or fewer per week on a year-round basis. Employees in this category shall be paid by the hour and shall not be entitled to any benefits outlined in the Personnel Schedule or the Personnel Regulations, except for pro-rated sick leave, vacation, and holiday benefits.

Section 2.15. Resignation. Voluntary withdrawal of employment from the City. Employees resigning from the service of the City shall not be entitled to compensation for accumulated sick leave.

Section 2.16. Retirement. To withdraw from active duty with the City of Oakwood subject to the applicable rules, regulations and statutes of the State of Ohio and after attaining the age and length of service (or disability status) necessary to immediately qualify and receive a pension in accordance with the rules of the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System or the Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund.

Section 2.17. Temporary or Seasonal Employees. Employees hired to complete a specified project or task and who normally work less than 1,250 hours per year. Said employees in this category shall be paid by the hour and shall not be entitled to any benefits outlined in the Personnel Schedule or the Personnel Regulations, except for holidays which may occur during their employment.

Section 2.18. Work Year. A period of twelve consecutive months beginning on the first day of employment for any individual. All benefits shall accrue from date of employment.

ARTICLE 3 - MERIT SYSTEM

Pursuant to Article VIII, Section 8.01, of the Charter, except as modified by Section 8.02, the merit system of employment shall prevail. Seniority shall be one factor in the determination of merit, but in no case shall seniority be deemed to supersede the application of merit employment principles. This principle of merit employment shall apply to hiring, promotion, in-grade increases and to the continued employment of any employee. It shall also be deemed to require employees to acquire and maintain the