Council refers proposed personal‑day language for ordinance positions back to ordinance committee

The Brockton City Council on Aug. 25 debated an amendment to the vacation and personal‑days ordinance that would grant four personal days annually to employees in ordinance positions and set a fiscal‑year‑based allotment and proration for new hires. Councilors discussed timing and whether new employees would receive the full four days as of the July 1 fiscal year start.

Councilor Lally offered a motion to amend the ordinance language to strike and replace wording so that "every employee occupying a full time position subject to the classification and pay plan shall be granted 4 personal days with pay annually on the first day of the fiscal year. For new hires for the first year of such an employee's employment only, personal day allotment shall be prorated based on the amount of time left in the fiscal year." The motion was seconded and debated.

Several councilors expressed concern that the amendment could allow new hires who start shortly before the fiscal year to immediately have four personal days available. Councilor Rodriguez said he had "a real problem with this" and worried employees would be able to take four days after a short tenure. Councilor Eiseman suggested withdrawing and sending the proposal back to ordinance so personnel staff could be invited to answer implementation questions. After discussion, Councilor Lally withdrew the motion and a later motion to refer the matter back to the ordinance committee passed by hand vote.

Discussion versus decision: This was a referral action. The council did not adopt final ordinance language; instead it referred the item back to the ordinance committee for clarification, including questions about eligibility, proration mechanics and HR implementation.

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The ordinance language will return to the ordinance committee for further review and staff input before the council considers any final vote.