Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Employment Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council adopts revised employee handbook with expanded bereavement leave
Summary
After extended debate, the council passed Bill 66‑24 on Nov. 12, 2024, updating the employee handbook and adopting a council amendment that expands bereavement pay (five days for immediate relatives, three days for more distant relatives). The measure passed 8‑0 as amended.
The Saint Joseph County Council approved an updated employee handbook (Bill 66‑24) on Nov. 12, 2024, after discussion of PTO consolidation, accumulated leave balances and bereavement policy.
County counsel Peter J. Agostino and HR staff described a sweeping handbook update that condenses sick, vacation and personal time into a consolidated PTO structure, addresses large accrued balances with formulas for payout or a sick bank, and adjusts accruals to be more competitive in recruiting. The staff said many adjustments were made in response to employee input.
Councilmember Catanzarite proposed an amendment to the bereavement section to create a two‑tiered paid bereavement allowance: five paid days for a close relative (spouse, domestic partner, child, parent, sibling, mother/father‑in‑law, grandparent, grandchild) and three paid days for extended relations (niece, nephew, first cousin, aunt, uncle or other person deemed close). Catanzarite explained the amendment by describing need for sufficient time after major losses and said he would forward specific language to staff. The amendment was seconded and adopted by roll call vote 8‑0; the handbook (as amended) then passed 8‑0.
Council discussion emphasized the handbook should remain a living document and that compensation and benefit design should be monitored to retain employees. Staff and counsel agreed to receive the amendment language in writing and incorporate it into the final text.
Next steps: county counsel and HR will finalize the handbook text incorporating the adopted amendment; the handbook will be posted and staff will follow up on technical clarifications requested during discussion.
