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HR reports modest turnover, CDL training progress and proposes clearer travel/study-pay rules
Summary
Human Resources Director Elizabeth Ward presented August staffing figures, reported progress on CDL training and apprenticeship exploration, described Aflac claims support and proposed clarifying county policy on compensable travel and required study time for employees.
Elizabeth Ward, Riley County human resources director, updated commissioners Sept. 15 on recruitment, retention and training initiatives and presented a draft policy on travel and study pay for staff.
Ward reported county headcount and turnover metrics: a current regular headcount of 289 and annual turnover of about 10% (retirement removed from the calculation), with seven to nine vacancies at the time of the report. She said 58 hires and 29 separations have occurred year to date. Average time to fill in August was 29 days. The HR office reported seven hires in August and eight separations that month.
On training and recruitment, Ward said the county has enrolled employees in regional leadership and SHRM training, is exploring registered apprenticeship opportunities with local technical colleges for harder‑to‑fill technical roles, and reported progress on a CDL training program: eight enrollments, seven completed training and three employees now driving with full CDLs.
Ward noted Aflac supplemental‑insurance claims processed since 2008 total 2,978 claims with $486,161 in payouts to employees; on-site “claims days” identified unclaimed benefits totaling $22,265 over the prior three years for county employees.
Ward presented a proposed update to the county’s travel and study‑pay policy. She said federal wage rules (FLSA) guide compensability: departments must pay employees for time spent working; travel time and required study time raise questions about compensability when the activity occurs outside scheduled work hours. Ward noted some department heads have asked the county to consider paying for certain travel time (for example, when an employee must depart before the normal shift to attend training) and to clarify whether required study time for professional certifications (e.g., appraisers) is compensable. She said HR will circulate a draft policy and gather feedback from department heads and legal counsel before returning with a final recommendation.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions; Ward said the HR office will send revised drafts to commissioners and department heads for review ahead of the next meeting.
