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Southfield administrator pauses city's "flex" program and orders review of take-home vehicle policy
Summary
The city's administrative director issued a directive pausing the flex employee program pending further council discussion, identified a small number of current employees affected, and instructed a review of take-home vehicle practices for public works.
Southfield's administrative director announced Jan. 20 that the city is pausing its flex employee program and will conduct a review of take-home vehicle practices, a move the administration said is intended to allow more detailed council discussion.
"We're placing it on a pause there," the administrator told council, adding that three employees currently working under the flex arrangement will remain in their positions while the city gathers additional information. The administrator said two positions in the city attorney's office remain posted and that city leaders plan a return to council for a more in-depth discussion during a February study session or possibly March.
The administrator also said he had asked human resources and fleet management for a review of take-home vehicles and collective bargaining obligations. As an interim measure, he said public works take-home vehicles will be labeled as emergency vehicles within two weeks to improve tracking.
Why it matters: the pause affects personnel policy and may change how the city manages flexible work arrangements and off-duty vehicle use; council members had previously raised questions about program details during the program's rollout.
Details provided in the council meeting: the administrator told council he identified three employees currently participating in the flex program (one in the career center, the former city treasurer on limited basis, and an individual in tech services). He said the flex directive resulted from concerns raised during collective bargaining and follow-up clarifications. On vehicles, he said better fleet software and additional data will inform any policy changes.
What's next: staff will prepare materials for a future study session to answer council questions about flex program terms, collective bargaining implications, and vehicle policy.
