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HR director outlines updated harassment and personnel policies; committee asks for ongoing updates
Summary
The city’s human resources director reviewed updated harassment and other personnel policies, described outreach and training, and proposed electronic onboarding and annual sign-offs; the Finance Committee asked staff to continue work and report back to the full council.
Director Morris of the City of Gardner Human Resources Department presented updated harassment and personnel policies to the Charter City Council Finance Committee and discussed efforts to modernize onboarding, training and annual acknowledgements.
Morris said she compiled policy language by reviewing other municipalities’ materials and assembling updated provisions she judged to be “modern and updated.” The committee discussed a recent staff meeting that reviewed the new policies and the distribution of printed copies to employees.
Morris said the city did not require a signed acknowledgement from every employee at that event, because many employees across departments (DPW, fire, police and schools) were not present. She said electronic onboarding with mandatory annual sign-offs would provide a reliable record of receipt and understanding, though some platforms carry subscription costs.
The schools already use an electronic system and a faculty handbook process with sign-offs; Morris said a Google Form has been used temporarily for city employees and could serve as an interim solution. She described continuing work on related policies including injury-at-work forms and annual evaluation procedures.
Motion and outcome: Councilor Hegland moved and Councilor Mack seconded a motion to keep the policy-update item on the committee agenda and also report progress to the full council. The committee approved the motion by voice vote.
Next steps: HR will continue drafting the onboarding and evaluation materials, coordinate with department heads on electronic sign-off options, and provide a progress update to the full council.
