Stonecrest HR director presents comprehensive personnel manual revisions; council debates diversity, religious accommodation, leave and promotion rules

Human resources director Leon Durden presented a comprehensive update to Stonecrest's personnel policy manual at the council work session, describing the draft as a multi-year update to the manual last adopted in January 2022 and noting legal review.

"The last time the manual was adopted was January of 2022," Durden said, adding that legal had reviewed the draft and that changes reflected federal and state law as well as recommended best practice.

The draft adds new or clarified sections including a religious-accommodation policy, diversity and inclusion language, voting leave, parental leave, bereavement, lactation accommodation, longevity pay, and a personnel hearing officer procedure for grievance hearings. Durden and the city manager said legal counsel reviewed many sections and staff had referenced GMA and SHRM materials in drafting.

Council discussion focused on several substantive points:

- Diversity and inclusion: Several councilmembers debated whether a diversity and inclusion provision should remain. Councilmember Tammy Grimes and Mayor Pro Tem George Turner favored keeping explicit DEI language, saying it signals the city's values. Councilmember McGraw and Councilmember…