Council reviews bereavement leave policy change; item to appear on consent agenda

Council members on June 10 reviewed a proposed update to Meridian Standard Operating Policy 4.5 (bereavement leave) intended to make bereavement leave equitable across employee schedules and simplify administration.

Human Resources staff said the existing policy grants up to five consecutive workdays of bereavement leave, which can yield unequal time off depending on shift schedules (for example, employees on a 4/10 schedule could receive 50 hours while someone on a 5/8 schedule would receive 40 hours). HR proposed a 40-hour standard for full-time employees to ensure equal time off regardless of schedule. The policy also would permit the 40 hours to be taken in up to two segments within six months of the date of loss to accommodate memorials and extended family needs. The definition of "immediate family" would be clarified and broadened in the draft policy to be more inclusive while maintaining the original intent.

HR staff said the proposed change would affect the general employee group (including many employees and police), and estimated roughly 400 employees would be affected. The policy has been reviewed by the CLA (collective labor agreement group) and discussed by the compensation committee; HR staff said they would confirm how the change aligns with the CLA and report back to council.

Council members asked for confirmation that the change had been discussed with the collective bargaining group and requested that any related benefit-committee input be noted. Council agreed to place the policy on the consent agenda for the next meeting to allow absent council members to review and to give colleagues an opportunity to pull the item for discussion if needed. No formal action on the policy was taken at the June 10 meeting.