Council tables proposed employee‑handbook changes after members seek more review

The Finance & Administration Committee voted to table proposed updates to Narberth’s employee handbook, giving council members additional time to propose amendments and legal review.

Staff presented a packet of edits recommended by outside reviewer Alan Desardo and borough staff. Committee discussion highlighted several substantive proposals: adding borough‑sponsored short‑term disability insurance (effective Jan. 1), increasing bereavement leave to five days for immediate family and one day for non‑immediate family, removing the post‑job‑offer medical exam, removing the COVID‑19 vaccination requirement and adding dress‑code language.

One committee member raised concerns about the handbook’s workplace‑safety language as it related to post‑accident drug/alcohol testing for employees driving borough vehicles, saying borough‑owned vehicles involved in accidents should remain subject to post‑accident testing for insurance and liability reasons. Members also discussed whether to retain or remove a smoking policy and whether to replace a COVID‑specific requirement with a more generic emergency‑powers clause that could apply to future public‑health emergencies.

Council members expressed support for the substantive benefits already adopted (the borough’s short‑term disability coverage) but requested time to draft specific alternative language and legal clarifications. Council member Michael (motion-maker) moved to table the proposed handbook edits; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously in committee. Staff will incorporate feedback and return the draft for further committee and council review.

No final policy changes were adopted at the committee meeting; the committee’s vote was to delay action to allow more detailed amendments and legal review.