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Village board approves employee handbook updates covering parental/compassionate leave, vacation payout and travel reimbursements
Summary
Waunakee authorized updates to its employee handbook to add paid parental and compassionate leave, modify vacation carryover/payout rules for 2024 balances, and revise travel reimbursement policies; staff will implement changes and aim to complete full handbook review by mid‑year.
The Waunakee Village Board authorized updates to the employee handbook that add paid parental and compassionate leave, change the vacation carryover/payout approach for 2024 balances, and revise travel reimbursement rules.
Staff presented the changes as new benefits and technical fixes. The parental and compassionate leave policy is new to the handbook; compassionate leave for bereavement was revised from 80 hours to 40 hours so it aligns with the village’s existing bereavement policy. Staff said the policy is intended both to support employees and to remain competitive in the hiring market.
On vacation carryover, staff proposed paying out 50% of an employee’s remaining balance (up to a 20‑hour maximum) for 2024 leftover vacation balances. Staff provided budget estimates: under the proposed approach the 2024 payout would total about $11,000; alternate scenarios could increase the budget impact if more employees sought higher carryover. Staff said the board could authorize special exceptions for unexpected operational circumstances (for example, emergency staffing needs that forced employees to cancel planned vacation).
The board also reviewed edits to the travel and reimbursement policy. Staff proposed updating per‑meal rates and continuing to require receipts for transparency rather than a flat per‑diem approach. Trustees suggested staff review federal (GSA) rates annually; staff said they will monitor reimbursements and bring changes if needed.
Board members praised the additions as supportive of employees and asked staff to complete a broader handbook review by midyear. The board authorized the village administrator to update the handbook to include the changes presented.
