Board adopts updated Nottoway County employee handbook effective July 1; leave‑donation policy retained

The Nottoway County Board of Supervisors adopted a revised employee handbook Thursday, setting an effective date of July 1, 2025, and expressly retaining a leave‑donation (leave‑share) policy.

County Administrator Steve Bowen and HR advisers presented the updated personnel handbook to supervisors and described substantive changes that align county policies with state and federal law, including post‑accident testing procedures and guidance on workplace personal relationships. The nut graf: Supervisors voted to approve the handbook with the recommended edits and retained a leave‑donation provision so employees may donate accrued leave to co‑workers facing qualifying hardships.

Supervisors and staff emphasized that the handbook is a living document and that constitutional officers are not required to adopt county personnel policies but usually align voluntarily. Bowen and others said the document brings county policy into compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act, the state code and other employment standards; supervisors asked staff to circulate the final document to employees and to accommodate feedback.

Ending: The board directed staff to publish the updated handbook, communicate the leave‑donation rules and continue periodic review so the county remains current with applicable law.