The alternative service calculation dialog allows you to define different service calculations for use as a replacement or comparison for service within measurement periods. With the exception of date subtraction with elapsed time, alternative service calculations can be used in combination with all service calculation methodologies. In general, alternative service calculations can be based on either elapsed time or hours with virtually identical dialog boxes being presented depending on whether the underlying service definition references events or not or is based on elapsed time or not.  If service is based on events, then a general alternative service can be defined as well as overrides based on the type of event. 

If using elapsed time without events or the date subtraction methodology:

The Alternative service calculation – first & last measurement period dialog box allows you to parameterize a different alternative methodology for each of two measurement periods: the measurement period containing hire and/or the measurement period containing decrement.  The dialog box visually presents measurement periods by using a horizontal row of chevrons where each chevron represents a measurement period. The affected measurement periods are labeled "hire" and "decrement".

In the measurement period containing the adjusted census hire date you may choose to:

Use an alternative service rounding rule by checking the box and selecting a rounding rule from the Service Rounding library.

Use an alternative Assumed number of days in a full measurement period by checking the box and entering the number of days you want the calculation to assume is a full measurement period in this first measurement period. The computation for service in the measurement period containing the hire date will be: [assumed number of days in full measurement period - (actual number of days in period – number of days worked)] / (assumed number of days in full measurement period). Checking the Days worked is max of zero and xx minus days not worked box, where xx is automatically set to the number of days specified as a full measurement period, ensures that you don’t get negative service.

In the measurement period containing the decrement date you may choose to:

Use an alternative service rounding rule by checking the box and selecting a rounding rule from the Service Rounding library.

Specify an alternative Assumed number of days in a full measurement period by checking the box and entering the number of days you want the calculation to assume in the measurement period containing the decrement date..

If using reported hours or service units without events:

The Alternative service calculation dialog box allows you to consider different sets of measurement periods for alternative service calculations. The considered sets (measurement period(s) containing: hire; hire and decrement; hire and all measurement periods before decrement; hire and all measurement periods thereafter; decrement and decrement including all measurement periods thereafter) are visually represented by using a horizontal row of chevrons. Each chevron represents a measurement period. The chevrons are gray except for the affected measurement periods where the chevrons are blue. By choosing one of the four radio buttons provided, you will notice the chevrons change from gray to blue and vice versa:

None indicates that there are no alternative calculation methods for any measurement periods. You will note that all of the chevrons are gray and there are little lines identifying the hire and decrement measurement periods. All other parameters on the dialog are unavailable (ghosted) except for the last item, the Use a different alternative service for Decrement (and beyond) checkbox.

Selecting For measurement period containing hire and decrement turns the chevrons blue for the two affected measurement periods on the chart: hire and decrement (termination date) and allows you to change the method of service calculation for the measurement periods containing these two events. If the Use a different alternative service for Decrement (and beyond) box is checked the wording becomes For measurement period containing hire and the chart is blue only for the measurement period containing hire.

Selecting As a minimum for measurement period containing hire and decrement causes ProAdmin to perform calculations under both the original method and this different method, selecting the larger one for the measurement periods containing hire and decrement (termination date). If the Use a different alternative service for Decrement (and beyond) box is checked the wording becomes As a minimum for measurement period containing hire and the chart is blue only for the measurement period containing hire.

Selecting As a minimum for all measurement periods causes ProAdmin to perform calculations under both the original method and this different method, selecting the larger one on an individual measurement period basis. The chart is blue beginning with hire and continuing past decrement unless the Use a different alternative service for Decrement (and beyond) box is checked, in which case the chart is blue beginning with hire and continuing through the measurement period prior to the measurement period containing decrement.

Calculate alternative service based on indicates whether the alternative service should be based on elapsed time or reported hours:

Elapsed time will calculate the difference between two dates. Clicking he Elapsed Time Params… button allows you to adjust the start and end dates for the calculation and choose the elapsed time calculation method:

Date Adjustment to service start date (alternative) selects an entry from the Date Adjustments library to adjust the service start date.

Date Adjustment to service stop date (alternative) selects an entry from the Date Adjustments library to adjust the service stop date.

Calculation method allows you to select the elapsed time calculation method as one of any of the same calculation methods that are available on the main elapsed time parameters dialog box.

Reported hours allows you to set up different hours parameters for the alternative hours calculation. Clicking on the Reported Hours Params... button allows you to:

Use an alternative hours field by checking the box and selecting a non-coded array data dictionary field for the alternative hours. If the field selected is a start/stop array field, the Accumulate hours by measurement period checkbox becomes available (unghosted). Checking the box indicates that the amounts for the array field selected are to be accumulated within a measurement period. This is used, for example, when hours are reported on a monthly basis but hours are evaluated on an annual basis.

Checking Use alternative hours transform based on allows you to transform the hours into service based on either a Table or an Expression.

If you select Table, a three-column spreadsheet  is presented. The From column is the starting amount of hours, which is pre-filled as 0 for the initial tier. The Up To column is not editable and will be set equal to the amount entered in the next following From column. The Service column is the amount of service that is earned for the specified range of hours. For example, a simple hours to service calculation would be:

From	Up To	Service
0	2000	0
2000		1

Expression allows you to use Data Dictionary variables with arithmetic (+, -, *, /, etc.), relational (=, <, >, <>, etc.), logical (#and, #or) operators along with if-then-else type statements and other ProAdmin functions to determine service. The data field involved is an array. #THIS is a ProAdmin operator that provides the value for a specific time frame. See expression operators for more details. When you’ve selected the Expression radio button and placed the cursor within the box, you can press F1 for a list of available fields, operators and other useful information.

The Use alternative measurement period (to group and count service periods) checkbox provides a multi-choice field with measurement periods that would be more frequent than the one used in the main service calculation. For example, if the main service measurement period is plan year, the choices for an alternative measurement period would be quarter (on a plan or calendar year basis), month and semi-month.

The Use alternative service rounding rule checkbox allows you to select an entry from the Service Rounding library to use as the rounding rule for the calculation. The Round service earned within each measurement period checkbox will round the service within each affected measurement period using the alternative rounding rule.

The Use a different alternative service for Decrement (and beyond) checkbox allows you to change the calculation method for the measurement periods beginning with decrement. Once the box is checked, the chevrons on the chart above are grayed for the measurement periods beginning with decrement, and the words “and decrement” are removed in the wording under Alternative service calculation. Clicking the Params... button brings up a dialog which appears similar to the dialog box from which it was clicked:

The Alternative service calculation for decrement (and beyond) dialog box visually presents measurement periods by using a horizontal row of chevrons. Each chevron represents a measurement period. As you use the screen you’ll note that the only measurement periods that can be affected, as designated by the chevron being blue rather than gray, are those beginning at decrement. Alternative service calculation provides four radio buttons for where the alternative can be applied:

None indicates that there is no alternative calculation and the original conversion will be used for the measurement period containing decrement.  Accordingly, all of the chevrons in the chart are gray and the dialog is entirely ghosted other than for this parameter. 

Selecting For measurement period containing decrement allows you to change the method of service calculation for the measurement period containing the decrement (termination date), indicated by a blue chevron in the chart for this measurement period.

Selecting As a minimum for measurement period containing decrement causes ProAdmin to perform calculations under both the original method and this different method, selecting the larger one for the measurement period containing the decrement (termination date).  There is a blue chevron in the chart only for this decrement measurement period. 

Selecting As a minimum for measurement periods containing decrement and beyond causes ProAdmin to perform calculations under both the original method and this different method, selecting the larger one on an individual measurement period basis. There is a blue chevron in the chart for the decrement and each following measurement period.

Calculate alternative service based on indicates whether the alternative service for decrement and beyond should be based on elapsed time or reported hours:

Elapsed time will use the difference between two dates. Clicking the Elapsed Time Params… button allows you to adjust the start and end dates for the alternative service calculation for decrement (and beyond) and choose the elapsed time calculation method:

Date Adjustment to service start date (alternative) selects an entry from the Date Adjustments library to adjust the service start date.

Date Adjustment to service stop date (alternative) selects an entry from the Date Adjustments library to adjust the service stop date.

Calculation method allows you to select the elapsed time calculation method as one of any of the same calculation methods that are available on the main elapsed time parameters dialog box.

Reported hours allows the use of an alternative hours field which may or may not be accumulated by measurement period as well as an alternative conversion basis. Clicking on Reported Hours Params... button allows you to:

Use an alternative hours field by checking the box that allows and selecting a non-coded array data dictionary field for alternative hours. If the field selected is a start/stop array field, the Accumulate hours by measurement period checkbox becomes available (unghosted). Checking the box indicates that the amounts for the array field selected are to be accumulated within a measurement period. This is used, for example, when hours are reported on a monthly basis but hours are evaluated on an annual basis.

Checking Use alternative hours transform based on allows you to transform the hours into service based on either a Table or an Expression:

If you select Table, a three-column spreadsheet is presented. The From column is the starting amount of hours, which is pre-filled a 0 for the initial tier. The Up To column is not editable and will be set equal to the amount entered in the next following From column. The Service column is the amount of service that is earned for the specified range of hours. For example, a simple hours to service calculation would be:

From	Up To	Service
0	2000	1
2000		0

Expression allows you to use Data Dictionary variables with arithmetic (+, -, *, /, etc.), relational (=, <, >, <>, etc.), logical (#and, #or) operators along with if-then-else type statements and other ProAdmin functions to determine service. The data field involved is an array. #THIS is a ProAdmin operator that provides the value for a specific time frame. See expression operators for more details. When you’ve selected the Expression radio button and placed the cursor within the box, you can press F1 for a list of available fields, operators and other useful information.

The Alternative measurement period (to group and count service periods) checkbox provides a multi-choice field with measurement periods that would be more frequent than the one used for the main service calculation. For example, if the main service measurement period is plan year, the choices for an alternative measurement period would be quarter (on a plan or calendar year basis), month and semi-month.

The Alternative service rounding rule checkbox allows you to select an entry from the Service Rounding library to use as the rounding rule for the calculation. The Round service earned within each measurement period checkbox will round the service within each affected measurement period using the alternative rounding rule.

If using elapsed time with events (and without the date subtraction methodology), the Alternative service calculation dialog allows you to parameterize a general alternative rule for all measurement periods containing events.

The section In the measurement period containing the event allows you to provide an alternative rounding rule and /or an alternative assumption as to the number of days in a full measurement period. If Use alternative service rounding rule is checked, the multi-choice field allows you to select a rounding rule from the Service Rounding library. If Assumed number of days in a full measurement period is checked, enter the number of days you want the calculation to assume is a full measurement period in a measurement period containing an event. The computation for service in that measurement period will be: [assumed number of days in full measurement period - (actual number of days in period – number of days worked)] / (assumed number of days in full measurement period). Checking the Days worked is max of zero and xx minus days not worked box, where xx is automatically set to the number of days specified as a full measurement period, ensures that you don’t get negative service.

The Overrides by Event(s) portion of the dialog box allows you to define different alternative service calculations depending on the event. For example, there may be special rules for rehire, a return from leave, a specific type of leave, layoff or other termination. The entries in the box are descriptions of overrides that have already been defined and clicking on them (click to edit) will show the alternative service calculation parameters and the events to which it applies. An asterisk (*) by an override entry means that the override is not currently used for any events. Click on the “New…” button or an existing override to bring up the Override alternative service calculation dialog box:

Description is any descriptive phrase that identifies the override to you. It can be of any length and may use any character or spaces.

The section In the measurement period containing the event allows you to provide the alternative rounding rule and /or an alternative assumption as to the number of days in a full measurement period. If Use alternative service rounding rule is checked, the multi-choice field allows you to select a rounding rule from the Service Rounding library. If Assumed number of days in a full measurement period is checked, enter the number of days you want the calculation to assume is a full measurement period in a measurement period containing an event. The computation for service in that measurement period will be: [assumed number of days in full measurement period - (actual number of days in period – number of days worked)] / (assumed number of days in full measurement period). Checking the Days worked is max of zero and xx minus days not worked box, where xx is automatically set to the number of days specified as a full measurement period, ensures that you don’t get negative service.

Apply to event(s) selects the event(s) to which you want this override to apply. The asterisk (*) column indicates which events have already been selected in a different override. Should you select (check) an event with an asterisk (*), the event will no longer use the rules previously associated with the event, but will use the current override. List: is a multi-choice field with three options for your convenience to display only the events potentially relevant to this override.  Select Start & Stop Events to include all events in the list, Start Events to include only start events and Stop Events to include only stop events.

If using reported hours or reported service units with events:

The Alternative service calculation in the general case considers all measurement periods containing events or all measurement periods containing events and beyond to the next event. The four options for applying an alternative service calculation are:

None indicates that there is no general alternative calculation (but there may be alternative calculations for specific events).

For measurement period containing the event allows you to define the general alternative service calculation method for the measurement periods containing events.

As a minimum for measurement period containing the event causes ProAdmin to perform calculations under both the original method this different method, selecting the larger one for the measurement periods containing events.

As a minimum for measurement periods containing the event and beyond causes ProAdmin to performs calculations under both the original method and this different method, selecting the larger one on an individual measurement period basis for each of the measurement periods between one event and the next, including the measurement period with the event and excluding the measurement period containing the next event.

Calculate alternative service based on indicates whether the alternative service should be based on elapsed time or reported hours:

Elapsed time will use the difference between two dates. Clicking on the Elapsed Time Params… button allows you to adjust the start and end dates for the calculation and choose the elapsed time calculation method:

Date Adjustment to service start date (alternative) selects an entry from the Date Adjustments library to adjust the service start date.

Date Adjustment to service stop date (alternative) selects an entry from the Date Adjustments library to adjust the service stop date.

Calculation method allows you to select the elapsed time calculation method as one of any of the same calculation methods that are available on the main elapsed time parameters dialog box.

Reported hours allows the use of an alternative hours field, which may or may not be accumulated by measurement period, as well as an alternative conversion basis. Clicking on Reported Hours Params... button allows you to:

Use an alternative hours field by checking the box and selecting a non-coded array data dictionary field for alternative hours. If the field selected is a start/stop array field, the Accumulate hours by measurement period checkbox becomes available (unghosted). Checking the box indicates that the amounts for the array field selected are to be accumulated within a measurement period. This is used, for example, when hours are reported on a monthly basis but hours are evaluated on an annual basis.

Checking Use alternative hours transform based on allows you to transform the hours into service based on either a Table or an Expression: 

If you select Table, a three-column spreadsheet is presented. The From column the starting amount of hours, which is pre-filled as 0 for the initial tier. The Up To column is not an editable field and will be set equal to the amount entered in the next following From column. The Service column is the amount of service that is earned for the specified range of hours. For example, a simple hours to service calculation would be:

From	Up To	Service
0	2000	1
2000		0

Expression allows you to use Data Dictionary variables with arithmetic (+, -, *, /, etc.), relational (=, <, >, <>, etc.), logical (#and, #or) operators along with if-then-else type statements and other ProAdmin functions to determine service. The data field involved is an array. #THIS is a ProAdmin operator that provides the value for a specific time frame. See expression operators for more details. When you’ve selected the Expression radio button and placed the cursor within the box, you can press F1 for a list of available fields, operators and other useful information.

The Use Alternative measurement period (to group and count service periods) checkbox provides a multi-choice field with measurement periods that would be more frequent than the one used for the main service calculation. For example, if the main service measurement period is plan year, the choices for an alternative measurement period would be quarter (on a plan or calendar year basis), month and semi-month.

The Use Alternative service rounding rule allows checkbox allows you to select an entry from the Service Rounding library to use as the rounding rule for the calculation. The Round service earned within each measurement period checkbox will round the service within each measurement period using the alternative rounding rule.

Overrides by Event(s) allows you to uses a different calculation method from the general alternative method on an event by event basis. You can Click on an existing entry (click to edit) or you can click the New button to create an override. Any existing entries with an asterisk (*) show that an override exists but there are no events in the Event Definition that use it. After you click on an existing entry or click the New button, the override dialog box will appear:

Description is any descriptive phrase that identifies the override to you. It can be of any length and may use any character or spaces.

Alternative service calculation allows you to select the measurement periods to which the override will apply.

None indicates that there is no alternative calculation and the original conversion will be used for the measurement period containing the events selected.

For measurement period containing the event allows you to change the method of service calculation for the measurement period containing the event or events selected.

As a minimum for measurement period containing the event causes ProAdmin to perform calculations under the two methods and select the larger one for the measurement period containing the event.

As a minimum for measurement period containing the event and beyond causes ProAdmin to perform two calculations for each measurement period beginning with the event and continuing to the measurement period before the next event. It then selects the larger value.

Calculate alternative service based on indicates whether the alternative service should be based on elapsed time or reported hours:

Elapsed time will use the difference between two dates. Clicking the Elapsed Time Params… button allows you to adjust the start and end dates for the calculation and choose the elapsed time calculation method.

Reported hours allows you to specify an alternative alternative hours field, which may or may not be accumulated by measurement period, and an alternative conversion basis.

Use an alternative hours field by checking the box and selecting a non-coded array data dictionary field for alternative hours. If the field selected is a start/stop array field, the Accumulate hours by measurement period checkbox becomes available (unghosted). Checking the box indicates that the amounts for the array field selected are to be accumulated within a measurement period. This is used, for example, when hours are reported on a monthly basis but hours are evaluated on an annual basis.

Checking Use alternative hours transform based on allows you to transform the hours into service based on either a Table or an Expression.

If you select Table, a three-column spreadsheet is presented. The From column is the starting amount of hours, which is pre-filled as 0 for the initial tier. The Up To column is not an editable field and will be set equal to the amount entered in the next following From column. The Service column is the amount of service that is earned for the specified range of hours.

Expression allows you to use Data Dictionary variables with arithmetic (+, -, *, /, etc.), relational (=, <, >, <>, etc.), logical (#and, #or) operators along with if-then-else type statements and other ProAdmin functions to determine service. The data field involved is an array. #THIS is a ProAdmin operator that provides the value for a specific time frame. See expression operators for more details. When you’ve selected the Expression radio button and placed the cursor within the box, you can press F1 for a list of available fields, operators and other useful information.

The Use Alternative measurement period (to group and count service periods) checkbox provides a multi-choice field with measurement periods that would be more frequent than the one used for the main service calculation.

The Use Alternative service rounding rule checkbox allows you to select an entry from the Service Rounding library to use as the rounding rule for the calculation. The Round service earned within each measurement period checkbox will round the service within each affected measurement period using the alternative rounding rule.

Apply to event(s) allows you to select the event(s) to which you want the override to apply. The asterisk (*) shows which events have already been selected in a different override. Should you select (check) an event with an asterisk (*), the event will no longer use the rules previously associated with the event, but will use the current override. List: is a multi-choice field with three options for your convenience to display only the events potentially relevant to this override.  Select Start & Stop Events to include all events in the list, Start Events to include only start events and Stop Events to include only stop events.