In a recent government meeting, officials discussed a proposed overhaul of the county's leave and benefits policy, aiming to streamline employee time-off systems and enhance flexibility for staff. The proposal introduces a Paid Time Off (PTO) policy that consolidates various leave categories—sick, vacation, comp time, personal, and holiday hours—into a single PTO system. This change is designed to simplify tracking for Human Resources and provide employees with greater freedom in how they utilize their leave.

The Human Resources department conducted a comparative study of leave policies across ten similar counties in Georgia, revealing that only two had implemented a PTO system. The findings prompted the county to consider adopting a similar approach, which officials believe will address compensation concerns and improve employee satisfaction.

Key features of the proposed policy include immediate accrual of leave for new employees, allowing them to use their time off for personal matters without waiting six months. Additionally, employees will no longer need to provide medical documentation for sick leave unless they are absent for two weeks or more, significantly reducing administrative burdens.

The proposal also aims to encourage employees to take time off by requiring them to use at least 108 hours of their PTO annually. Any excess hours beyond a proposed cap of 640 hours will be compensated at 50% of the employee's hourly rate, rather than being lost, which is a shift from the current policy that penalizes employees for not using their sick leave.

Furthermore, the county plans to add Veterans Day as a recognized holiday, aligning with practices in other jurisdictions. The transition to the new policy is expected to begin in January 2025, with a preparatory phase starting mid-2024 to allow employees to adjust to the new system.

Overall, the proposed changes reflect a commitment to enhancing employee benefits and addressing the evolving needs of the workforce, with officials expressing optimism about the positive impact on staff morale and retention.