Carroll County moves PTO policy tweaks to consent after six-month trial

Avery Jackson, Carroll County attorney, presented proposed amendments to the county's civil service personnel policy to implement a paid time off (PTO) system the board adopted earlier in the year.

Jackson said the county piloted the PTO policy for six months and is now proposing three clarifying tweaks: 1) employees who are on extended leave (for example FMLA) will be eligible for bonuses or retention pay that accrued while they were out once they return; 2) employees in their first calendar year of employment will accrue PTO starting day one but are not required to use the 108 hours minimum during that first year; and 3) employees separated during their probationary period will not receive payout for PTO accrued during that period. Jackson said the civil service board reviewed and approved the language.

Commissioners asked for clearer wording on the first tweak regarding whether employees must return and work for a defined period before being entitled to retroactive pay; Jackson said the policy previously used a two-week definition for extended absence and for return-to-work eligibility and that staff could add language to clarify entitlement or retro pay where it does not conflict with other policies. The board agreed to place the item on the consent agenda and to circulate clarified language by email before the business meeting.