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Council approves handbook amendment to comply with SEA 409 (school attendance case conferences)
Summary
The council adopted an ordinance to amend the employee handbook to provide employees unpaid leave to attend school case conferences and attendance meetings in accordance with Indiana SEA 409; the change protects employees from discipline for such absences but the leave is unpaid.
The Avon Town Council adopted an ordinance amending the town employee handbook to comply with Indiana Senate Enrolled Act (SEA) 409, which requires employers to treat employee absences for school case conferences or school attendance conferences as excused for purposes of discipline.
What the ordinance changes The ordinance adds a provision to the handbook clarifying that employees who must miss work to attend a school case conference or school attendance conference (as defined by state law) will receive an excused absence for that time. The council and staff noted three limiting conditions: (1) the absence is unpaid, (2) it must be no longer than necessary to attend the meeting, and (3) the law defines which family members are covered and the notice requirements the employee must meet.
Why it matters The amendment aligns the town’s personnel policy with state law, prevents disciplinary action for employees who attend required school meetings for their children, and sets the town’s administrative rules for documenting such absences. Legal counsel and staff said the change is required by statute and clarifies the town’s obligations to employees.
Council action The ordinance was adopted on final reading and will be incorporated into the town’s employee handbook and HR practices; staff will update internal policies to reflect the unpaid excused‑absence provision.
Ending The handbook change takes effect immediately on adoption and staff will update internal HR procedures and employee communications to reflect the new unpaid excused absence for SEA 409 events.
