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Council approves six-month probationary period for nonunion new hires
Summary
The Lawrence City Council voted to adopt an ordinance establishing a six-month probationary period for all nonunion new hires; during probation employees cannot use vacation, personal, or sick time and may be terminated without cause.
The Lawrence City Council on Feb. 18 approved an amendment to the municipal code requiring a six-month probationary period for all nonunion new hires in city service.
As posted, the ordinance (section 2.04.0.16) states: “All nonunion new hires to the City of Lawrence shall be subject to a 6 month probationary period. During this probationary period, the employee shall not be entitled to use any vacation, personal, or sick time. Any employee may be terminated without cause during the probationary period.” The city clerk read the ordinance language at the public hearing.
Councilors debated briefly and then moved to approve the amendment. Council President Rodriguez said the change aligns with common employment practice in both public and private sectors and welcomed the measure to city administration. “I do want this to be on the record that what the city attorney is trying to do, it is common practice in employment within employers, within the private and public sector,” Rodriguez said.
The measure passed on roll call. The ordinance will be added to the city’s municipal code; the clerk noted existing ordinances to the contrary would be repealed only to the extent they conflict with the new language.
City staff will implement the policy through hiring and human-resources procedures. The ordinance text says that if a new hire enters into a separate employment contract, the probationary terms must be contained within that contract.
