Glenn Heights council reviews rewrite of employee personnel policy; city proposes six-week parental leave and police-academy support

The Glenn Heights City Council held the first reading of Ordinance O-08-25, a comprehensive rewrite of the city's employee personnel policy that would replace policies not substantially updated for more than a decade. Janice Porter Braithwaite, the city's human-resources director, presented key proposals including a six-week paid parental leave provision, tuition and direct-cost payments for employees attending a police academy, and clarifications to holiday and jury-duty leave rules.

Porter Braithwaite described the parental-leave proposal as paid leave “following the birth of an employee's child or the placement of a child with an employee in connection with adoption, foster care, or other legal placement.” She said the policy covers placements for youngsters “17 and under” and that the six weeks of paid parental leave would be available per calendar year and would “coincide with FMLA and those regulations.” Councilmember Benford asked whether the leave must be taken within a year; staff confirmed the intention is to mirror standard 12-month timing and that the provision is per calendar year.

The draft policy also proposes that the city pay tuition and direct costs for employees who enroll in a police academy, keep employees on payroll while enrolled, and create a police-cadet classification and associated pay grade while trainees attend the academy. “If approved by the city, the city will provide payments for tuition and direct costs. While enrolled, the employee will remain as an employee in the current position earning current salary and job benefits,” Porter Braithwaite said.

Council members raised questions about holiday language, specifically a 9/11 memorial day currently described for fire personnel. Porter Braithwaite and Deputy Chief Moore noted that fire personnel take a 48-hour personal allotment and must use one of those personal days for 9/11; councilmembers asked staff to include police and dispatch in that recognition and clarified how personal days are administered in public-safety departments. Council also asked whether the city would close early the Wednesday before Thanksgiving; staff said such operational decisions are set by the city manager and do not necessarily require formal policy language.

Porter Braithwaite said the revised employee personnel policy is included in the council packet and that a second reading will occur at the council’s first July meeting. No final vote was taken at the first reading.