Employee Perks & Discounts

Time Off

Bereavement Leave
Employees may be granted up to 24 work hours (36 work hours Fire shift) of paid leave per calendar year in the event of a death within the employee’s immediate family.

Sick Leave
Employees earn 4.616 hours (6.924 hours Fire shift) of sick leave per pay period. It must be taken in 15-minute increments and can be used to care for an immediate family member (illness or healthcare appointments). Leave under this policy is meant to help employees reach their normal weekly pay. Employees should only use leave to fill in missing time so that their total pay for the week equals what they would normally earn. Civil Service employees are paid for up to 720 hours or equivalent accrued sick leave upon termination. Non-Civil Service will be eligible to receive pay for unused sick leave upon termination according to the following schedule:

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Sick Leave Bank
The bank provides employees (who are bank members) with a possibility of obtaining additional sick leave days to avoid loss of compensation due to a catastrophic illness or injury of the employee or an eligible family member of the employee when the employee has exhausted all accrued leave. Employees must transfer a minimum of 10 hours of sick leave to the bank as membership. Membership drives are announced annually, generally in December.

Sick Leave Buy Back
Any employee who has an accrued sick leave balance in excess of 1,040 hours (1,456 hours for Fire shift) as of November 30, may participate. Eligible employees may convert up to 10% of the excess hours, not exceeding 120 hours for regular employees (180 hours for Fire shift) to contribute to the 457 Deferred Compensation Plan. An election to participate must be made in the month of December for distribution to take place in February of the following year.

It is taken in 15-minute increments and may not be used until the initial six months of employment are completed. Leave under this policy is meant to help employees reach their normal weekly pay. Employees should only use leave to fill in missing time so that their total pay for the week equals what they would normally earn. Employees who have completed five years of employment will be paid for up to 480 hours (720 hours Fire shift) of accrued vacation upon termination.

Vacation is earned on the following basis:

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Vacation Buy Back
Employees may elect to buy back up to 40 hours per year (60 hours Fire shift) of future vacation accruals in lieu of taking vacation leave. To participate, employees must make an irrevocable election to buy back a specified number of vacation hours during the month of December for payment to occur in October the following year.

Milestone Awards

The City rewards employees with a gift selection and additional leave days upon reaching service milestones:

• 5th anniversary – 1 day off
• 10th anniversary – 2 days off
• 15th anniversary – 3 days off
• 20th anniversary – 4 days off
• 25th anniversary – 5 days off
• 30th anniversary – 6 days off
• 35th anniversary – 7 days off
• 40th anniversary – 8 days off
• 45th anniversary – 9 days off

Note: Employees in Environmental Waste Services will be paid for their eligible milestone days utilizing the following formula — eight hours per day x number of eligible milestone days x current hourly rate of pay.

Days are based on eight-hour shifts except for Fire department civil service shift personnel, which are based on 12 hours.

Employees must use all awarded paid leave and redeem their gift within one year of their anniversary date. Time off should be coordinated with the supervisor to ensure the least disruption within the department. The supervisor should make every effort to approve scheduling. However, if approving the time off would create an operational hardship, the supervisor should discuss with his/her chain of commands and Payroll.

After completing 12 full calendar months of service as of October 1st, employees receive $8 per month worked, paid out in October. See Policy 222.01 for specific details.

Find comfort in knowing you and your loved ones are protected by the Travel Assistance benefit when traveling more than 100 miles from home on a trip that lasts 90 days or less for business or pleasure. It also extends coverage to your spouse, domestic partner, and children, even when they are traveling without you. 

For more information call 866-816-2103 or email mail@oncallinternational.com.

Employees are eligible to apply for tuition assistance for associate, bachelor, master, or doctorate-level degrees from accredited colleges or universities. Employees will be reimbursed for successfully completed courses with a maximum of $3,000 per Fiscal Year. See Policy 208.000 for more information regarding eligibility, application and reimbursement.

The City of Plano is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. Eligible employees may qualify for student loan forgiveness after meeting federal service and payment requirements.

Mission

The LaShon Ross Institute for Education & Development supports City of Plano employees by offering training opportunities that build skills, strengthen confidence, and empower individuals to reach their full professional and personal potential.

Institute Programs

Professional Development for All Employees

Employees can explore a variety of professional development classes through internal City of Plano resources.

The Plano Way

A course series led by departmental subject matter experts focusing on internal processes, expectations, and organizational knowledge.

The Plano Way for Supervisors

A supervisor-focused training series designed to strengthen leadership, communication, and operational skills.

Leadership for the 21st Century (L21)

A six-month leadership development program held from April through September, featuring biweekly classes that build strong leadership capabilities.

Mandatory New Supervisor Classes

Required for all new supervisors within 12 months of hire or promotion to support successful onboarding into leadership roles.

Supervisor Series (Optional)

Monthly learning sessions for supervisors and managers to refine leadership and management skills.

Super “Wiser” Shared Learning Series

Informal, interactive sessions that allow supervisors to network, share insights, and learn from one another.

Management Team Cohort

A 12-month certificate program focused on executive team building, management strategies, and organizational improvement.

MP3

This intensive, 18-month program equips selected candidates with the knowledge and leadership skills needed to excel in executive-level positions.

Percipio Online Training Portal

An online training platform offering thousands of courses in customer service, project management, leadership, communication, and technical skills.

Tuition Assistance and Education Benefits

Tuition assistance is available for approved coursework. Spring applications open for fall enrollment. Additional details can be found in Policy 208 through internal City of Plano resources.

UTD Local Government Management Certificate

A graduate-level program offered every two years to selected employees. Participants complete a four-semester series of courses focused on local government management through the University of Texas at Dallas.

Texas Certified Public Manager (CPM) Program

A year-long certification program through Texas State University for selected candidates. Graduates receive the Certified Public Manager designation. Classes are held monthly in Arlington.

Training Contact Information

Email: training@plano.gov
Debbie Speed: 972-941-7217
Tony Beasley: 972-941-7339

Recreation Memberships

Plano offers memberships that include unlimited access to recreation centers and aquatic facilities, providing year-round opportunities for fitness, wellness, and community activities.

Recreation Centers

Enjoy open play sports, cardio and strength equipment, game rooms, gymnasiums, indoor tracks, pools, spray grounds, racquetball, squash, billiards, and meeting spaces.

Sam Johnson Recreation Center (50+)

Features cardio and weight rooms, a café, billiards, art and wellness centers, a ballroom, drop-in games, dances, trips, and fee-based classes for adults aged 50+.

Aquatic Facilities

Access five indoor pools, four outdoor pools, a spray ground, and a family water park. Daily fees and event rentals are available.

High Point Park Tennis Center

Offers 21 lighted tennis courts, 16 pickleball courts, open play, classes, leagues, tournaments, summer camps, and a pro shop.

Nature and Retreat Center

A 7,000-square-foot venue at Oak Point Park for meetings, weddings, retreats, and outdoor education.

Classes

More than 8,000 annual classes in fitness, sports, arts, education, health, and personal training.

Room and Facility Rentals

Spaces from 400 to 6,500 square feet are available for meetings, parties, and special events.

Pecan Hollow Golf Course

An 18-hole championship course with practice areas, short course, driving range, golf shop, and grill.

Adapted Recreation

Programs for individuals with special needs, offering classes, camps, trips, and life skills training.

Outdoor Recreation

Throughout the year, the outdoor recreation program offers many opportunities to get outside and enjoy the local green spaces through outdoor education programs, classes, trips, hikes, walks and outdoor fitness.

Adult Sports

League play for flag football, kickball, softball, basketball, volleyball, and soccer.

Free Plano Public Library card while employed (Plano residency not required).

Your Free Library Membership Provides:

• Books, movies, and music (750,000+ items)
• Classes and programs to enrich your life (3,000+ each year)
• eBooks and eAudiobooks through Libby (by OverDrive)
• eMagazines through Flipster, PressReader, and Libby
• eNewspapers via PressReader; plus New York Times & Wall Street Journal
• Streaming movies and The Great Courses through Kanopy
• Courses and certifications through LinkedIn Learning and Udemy
• Training materials and assessments through BlueCareer
• STEAM kits for experimenting (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math)
• College and career advancement tools through Learning Express and Gale
• Language learning with Pronunciator
• Brain enrichment with preloaded tablets for kids, teens, and adults (Launchpads)
• Listening on-the-go with preloaded audiobooks (Playaways)
• Investment research through Morningstar and Value Line
• Business information and sales leads through Reference Solutions
• Access to Ancestry.com and Family Search; specialized genealogy assistance
• Online information and access 24 hours a day

Download the City of Plano Library app! Visit plano.gov/9/Library to learn more!

Find a library location near you! Visit plano.gov/984/Visit-the-Library.