County employee urges commissioners to review use of sick and vacation time for work injuries

Bob Reed, a county employee who said he was injured on the job in March, asked Bourbon County commissioners to review departmental and county rules that led to his use of 32 hours of sick time after a workplace injury.

Reed said he has worked for Bourbon County about 15 years and described being placed on sick leave for his recovery. He said the county deducted 32 hours of his accrued sick time to make up a 40-hour pay period while he received workers'compensation and that requirement reduced his available paid time for future needs. Reed said this could be especially harmful to newer employees who have not yet accrued much vacation or sick leave but who may have family insurance premiums that must be paid.

"I'm asking if you, the commissioners, decide to make any changes, please explore all options you have within the law and the regulations that you may face, and make a decision that is best for all Bourbon County employees," Reed told the commission. He closed his remarks with a plea to avoid relying on the phrase "we've always done it this way." Reed said he was not asking for personal relief but rather policy review to help future injured workers.

A commissioner told Reed they had discussed the matter by phone and would look into it and "see what we can do" to follow up. No formal policy change was adopted at the meeting; commissioners agreed to investigate the issues Reed raised and consult relevant personnel files, payroll rules and applicable regulations before bringing recommendations back to a future meeting.