Norfolk County commissioners voted Nov. 12 to instruct labor counsel to draft revised language for the county employee handbook clarifying how vacation time is allotted and paid out when an employee leaves county service.

Labor counsel Peter Summers told the board the proposed change would simplify existing language so that “employees are paid out upon retirement” and that vacation would be treated as allotted on July 1 rather than prorated through the year. Summers said, “So if an employee leaves service after July 1, they're paid out for all accrued but unused vacation time, and it's not prorated based upon their period of service.” Director Cronin and counsel added that the revision is intended to align the handbook with current practice and to reduce confusion about accrual.

Commissioners asked several clarifying questions about examples for employees who separate before or after July 1, and Summers and staff explained the mechanics: under the proposed approach an allotment is placed on July 1, new hires remain subject to standard accrual until they complete the year, and employees may carry over up to 15 days. The board emphasized the change applies where collective bargaining agreements do not control payout terms.

After discussion, a commissioner moved and the board seconded a motion directing counsel to return with the proposed language for section 3.3.3; the motion passed by voice vote. Counsel said the revised language could be presented as early as next week for formal consideration.

The action is procedural: commissioners instructed staff and counsel to draft and return with specific wording rather than adopting the policy on the spot. The board’s direction explicitly preserved the role of any applicable collective bargaining agreements, and staff noted exceptions for new hires and the existing 15-day carryover limit.

Next steps: counsel will draft the revised handbook text and present it to the commissioners for formal vote at a subsequent meeting.