The city has long had a Personnel Policy which provided
guidance for staff and council in how certain personnel issues are dealt
with. The policy details things like
sick, vacation and holiday time.
Benefits and expected behavior, among other things, are also
addressed. This policy had been revised
a number of times and there were many problems such as contradictions,
inconsistencies, redundancies and vague statements as part of the policy. The idea of clarity in the policy as well as
having it match current practice was needed.
The personnel committee of the council spent a good deal of
time reviewing the document and its possible revisions. Some policy matters were brought into the
discussion when clarity involved a choice of this or that. They also were brought into the picture when
council was to assume authority that was given to staff that really were policy
issues for the council to determine. Along
the way, the contradictions were resolved.
Clarity was improved. Organization was also made to the document.
One issue of concern was that of Holiday Pay. Several approaches to how pay is made when
working a holiday were considered. The
police union contract provides for holiday pay when not worked. When the holiday is worked pay is at time and
a half plus the holiday pay. In the end
the council chose to mirror that of the police contract for non-union hourly
employees.
A revised policy was approved by the council with the
changes as recommended by the Personnel Committee with the clarification of how
working a holiday would be treated.
