Henry County commissioners discuss employees bringing children to county offices, defer policy decision

The Henry County Commissioners spent a substantive portion of their meeting discussing whether county employees may bring children into county offices during school delays and similar situations, but they did not adopt a countywide policy.

Commissioner Steve Dellinger, who spoke extensively on the topic, framed three possible paths: retain the current practice (department-head discretion), adopt a formal program with strict criteria, or prohibit the practice. He said his initial view was that department heads currently have discretion and that a program, if used frequently, should be “very tightly controlled.”

Why it matters: Commissioners said the question touches on employee retention, workplace productivity, liability and insurance coverage. County staff and the insurer advised that allowing children in county facilities increases risk and that carrying out a program would change insurance exposures and require careful restrictions.

Discussion highlights: Speakers noted the following concerns and considerations: - Liability and insurance: County risk-management and the insurer recommended against a loose program; allowed exceptions raise coverage questions. - Productivity and safety: Commissioners said children in the workplace can affect employee productivity and require safe, secure spaces; some county offices contain material that must be secured or moved to accommodate visitors. - Accommodations and precedent: Commissioners observed the county has lost employees in the past because childcare costs exceeded pay for some positions; several commissioners signaled sympathy for employees but emphasized public-service priorities.

Direction, not a vote: Rather than adopt an immediate policy, a commissioner offered to continue researching options. The commissioner said he would return to department heads with possible program criteria and a recommendation next month. The commission did not record a formal vote changing policy at the meeting.

Ending: Commissioners asked staff to continue assessing floor security, insurance implications and possible program criteria; they said any future program would require strict rules such as pre-application, parental supervision at all times, and signed liability waivers where appropriate.