Dunn County adopts first reading of updated personnel policies including proposed paid parental leave

Dunn County commissioners approved the first reading of several administrative and personnel policy updates on Oct. 14, including a new travel reimbursement policy, a proposed paid parental-leave policy and a revised cell-phone policy.

Desi, the county policy lead, told commissioners the travel policy clarifies reimbursement timelines and documentation required for travel, and requires detailed preapproval for out-of-state travel that is not previously budgeted. The proposed paid parental leave would provide two weeks of paid leave for eligible full-time employees and 40 hours for part-time employees, to be taken concurrent with Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave. The proposal includes eligibility criteria and states paid parental leave would not be paid out at termination.

The cell-phone policy presented two options: a stipend for employees who use personal phones for work or provision of a county-issued phone. The policy would extend cell-phone options beyond current department-head allocations to all county employees and include signature and recordkeeping requirements housed in the auditor's office. Other changes in the packet addressed timekeeping (removal of an exemption for exempt personnel), dress code clarifications and unpaid-leave disclosure requirements for outside employment.

Commissioners accepted the first reading and directed staff to continue to the second reading and adoption process if needed. The item was recorded as the first reading; adoption was not completed at the Oct. 14 meeting.