Supervisors tables action to update employee handbook

BY BROOKS TAYLOR

Mt. Pleasant News

Henry County?s Board of Supervisors was scheduled to approve the revised Henry County Employee Handbook and Policies during its regular meeting Thursday, but the calls for ?yay? never came.

While the supervisors did review the changes, they held off on approving it until next week. It?s not that the supervisors had problems with the changes, but rather, they wanted some loose-leaf policies included in the handbook.

All of the changes, which weren?t many, were minor language additions and tweaks.

The last handbook was approved in 2011, and Shelly Barber, county auditor, said that department heads had been meeting periodically over the last six months regarding the handbook. ?There was a lot of cleaning up of words and language,? Barber noted.

Supervisor Chairman Gary See said the supervisors did not participate in the handbook update meetings. ?It is a work of the majority (of the department heads). We feel it flows better if we?re not there.?

Changes in the handbook include the following:

Sexual harassment policy ? The addition of the following language: ?Conduct that has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual?s work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.?

Language in the job description of the coordinator of disability services (formerly central point coordinator) ? The primary responsibilities of the position are implementing the region management plan; service coordination and referral; authorizing funding for eligible individuals; authorizing payments for approved services; budget development; data management and reporting; and public education.

Meal reimbursement ? The limit is $45 per day for overnight meetings. The dollar amount allowed for day meetings will be breakfast, $10; lunch, $15; and dinner, $20. The county will reimburse for gratuity and in no circumstance will reimburse for alcohol.

Vacation-personal days ? Upon employment but less than one year, five vacation days, three personal days; one year but less than five years, 10 vacation days, three personal days.

Family medical leave act ? Added the following: Exigency arising out of the fact that the employee?s spouse, child or parent is a covered military member on covered active duty. Employees shall be eligible for 26 weeks of leave to care for a covered service member with a serious injury or illness in accordance with federal law.

In supervisor sub-committee reports, Lindeen reported on the emergency management committee meeting. He said that Walt Jackson, county emergency management director, has applied for a $27,000 emergency management preparedness grant.

Lindeen also said Jackson was planning a large-scale training exercise next year and that he was pleased with Jackson?s work in the position.

?I am impressed with the relationships Walt is building with the people he works with,? praised Lindeen. ?I appreciate the work he has been doing and think the county would be well prepared if a disaster occurred.?

Finally, the county released its schedule for bulk garbage dates at the central site, 900 W. Washington St. The bulk garbage days are for rural residents only. Items that will be accepted on these dates only are mattresses; furniture; rolled up carpet and pads; other bulky household items; electronics; appliances; vehicle tires; oil; and recyclables. No construction waste will be accepted.

The dates and times are as follows: April 29, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; April 30, 8 a.m. to noon; May 27, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; May 28, 8 a.m. to noon; Sept. 23, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sept. 24, 8 a.m. to noon; Oct. 28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Oct. 29, 8 a.m. to noon.

Supervisors will meet again in regular session on Tuesday, April 26, at 9 a.m., in the Henry County Courthouse.