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Selectmen table updated personnel manual after debate on political‑activity and monitoring language
Summary
The board tabled action on an updated personnel policy manual after selectmen raised concerns about language on political‑activity (buttons/pins), electronic monitoring and employees' bargaining position; staff and counsel follow‑up requested.
The Board of Selectmen paused action on a consolidated town personnel policy manual during its June 15 meeting after extended discussion about specific policy language.
Staff presented the manual as a consolidation of several separate policies (electronic monitoring, travel, an AI policy and others). One selectman raised a procedural and substantive objection about perceived imbalance in employer/employee bargaining power and used the term "unconscionable" before agreeing to soften the language; another asked for clearer definitions regarding political‑activity restrictions. "Perhaps we could say the wearing of any disruptive buttons..." a member suggested, emphasizing that management should focus on "disruptiveness in work interactions and in interactions with the public," not partisan expression in general.
Members also discussed legal constraints, including references to the Hatch Act and Electronic Communications Privacy Act, and whether the town needs employee consent forms for monitoring of town devices. Staff said separate acknowledgements accompany specific policies and that the consolidated manual would include electronic acknowledgement at onboarding. Some selectmen asked for written input from labor counsel and other municipalities' language; others recommended stronger, clearer wording to avoid subjective enforcement.
After debate the board moved and seconded to table the item pending circulation of Mitch's email and counsel review; the motion to table carried.
