LEGISLATIVE ETHICS BOARD RULE 4: "Working Hours"

Authority for rule

RCW 42.52.320(2)(c) directs the ethics boards to adopt rules defining "working hours for purposes of RCW 42.52.180." RCW 42.52.180 prohibits the direct or indirect use of public facilities to assist a campaign for election or to promote or oppose a ballot measure. Public facilities specifically include "use of state employees of the agency during working hours" (emphasis added).

Text of rule

(1) A legislative employee's working hours are those designated or required by Senate, House of Representatives, or legislative agency work schedule policy. If an employee has a designated work schedule different from the work schedule policy, that employee's working hours are the hours approved by that employee's supervisor and the Secretary of the Senate, Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives, or administrative director of a legislative agency, as appropriate.

(2) "Working hours" do not include the time approved and designated for the employee's lunch break. Employee lunch periods are assumed to be 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., unless an employee has a designated work schedule different from the work schedule policy which has been approved by the employee's supervisor and the Secretary of the Senate, Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives, or administrative director of a legislative agency.

(3) "Working hours" do not include time in official leave status, if the leave has received advance written authorization.