employee policies manual - battleground.in.gov

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Employee Policies Manual Revision 1.0 The policies and procedures in this manual are not intended to be contractual commitments by the Town of Battle Ground, and employees shall not construe them as such. The policies and procedures are intended to be guides to management and are merely descriptive of suggested procedures to be followed. The Town of Battle Ground reserves the right to revoke, change or supplement guidelines at any time without notice. No policy is intended as a guarantee of continuity of benefits or rights. No permanent employment or employment for any term is intended or can be implied from any statements in this manual. The Town of Battle Ground 100 College Street, Battle Ground, Indiana 47920 March 10, 2008 Table of Contents Introduction to The Town of Battle Ground Continuity of Policies - Right to Change or Discontinue Equal Opportunity Policy Recruitment Employee Selection and Development Sexual Harassment Illegal Drug Abuse/Alcohol Abuse Smoking Employment Classifications Employee Safety Return to Work After Serious Injury or Illness Performance Improvement Termination Grievance Procedure Employment Disputes

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Page 1: Employee Policies Manual - battleground.in.gov

EmployeePoliciesManualRevision1.0

ThepoliciesandproceduresinthismanualarenotintendedtobecontractualcommitmentsbytheTownofBattleGround,andemployeesshallnotconstruethemassuch.

Thepoliciesandproceduresareintendedtobeguidestomanagementandaremerelydescriptiveofsuggestedprocedurestobefollowed.TheTownofBattleGroundreservestherighttorevoke,changeorsupplementguidelinesatanytimewithoutnotice.

Nopolicyisintendedasaguaranteeofcontinuityofbenefitsorrights.Nopermanentemploymentoremploymentforanytermisintendedorcanbeimpliedfromanystatementsinthismanual.

TheTownofBattleGround100CollegeStreet,BattleGround,Indiana47920March10,2008

TableofContentsIntroductiontoTheTownofBattleGroundContinuityofPolicies-RighttoChangeorDiscontinueEqualOpportunityPolicyRecruitmentEmployeeSelectionandDevelopmentSexualHarassmentIllegalDrugAbuse/AlcoholAbuseSmokingEmploymentClassificationsEmployeeSafetyReturntoWorkAfterSeriousInjuryorIllnessPerformanceImprovementTerminationGrievanceProcedureEmploymentDisputes

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CompensationEqualPayJobDescriptionsWorkdayPaydayOvertimeCompensationPerformanceReviewSalaryAdministrationPayrollDeductionsEmployeeBenefitsInsurancePERFVacationHolidaysSickDaysLeaveofAbsenceBereavementLeaveJuryDutyEmployee-IncurredExpensesandReimbursementTravelReimbursementConferencesandMeetingsRequiredManagementApprovalMiscellaneousPoliciesConfidentialityofCompanyInformationConfidentialityofCompanyInformationE-MailEmployeePrivacyTelephone

SeeAlso:

NepotismandContractingCreditCardsAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct(ADA):AccessibilityGuidelines,CoordinatorandProcedures,ADAPlan

Introductiontothe

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TownofBattleGroundWelcometotheTownofBattleGround!Wearepleasedtohaveyouwithusandhopethatyoufindyournewjobrewardingandchallenging.BattleGroundisagrowingtown,andwefeelthatallofushavetheopportunitytobenefit.Wewanttomaintainthebenefitsofourcurrentenvironmentasweexpandandgrowoverthecomingyears.

Toreachourgoalwemustprovidesuperiorservicetoourcustomersandthismeansemployingthebestpeople.Asamemberofthetown'steam,youarecriticaltooursuccess.Throughyoursuccesswecanreachourgoals.

BattleGroundstrivestocreateanexciting,challengingandrewardingworkenvironmentthatallowsyoutoflourish.WewantyoutobuildalongandsuccessfulassociationwiththeTownofBattleGroundandbeahappyandproductivememberofourteam.Throughyourdedication,creativity,perseveranceandefforts,ourtownwillcontinuetogrow.

Regards,

BattleGroundCouncilPresident

ContinuityofPolicies-RighttoChangeorDiscontinue

ThepoliciesandproceduresinthismanualarenotintendedtobecontractualcommitmentsbytheTownofBattleGroundandemployeesshallnotconstruethemassuch.Theyareintendedtobeguidestomanagementandmerelydescriptiveofsuggestedprocedurestobefollowed.

TheCouncilreservestherighttorevoke,change,orsupplementtheseguidelinesatanytimewithoutnotice.SuchchangesshallbeeffectiveimmediatelyuponapprovalbytheCouncilunlessotherwisestated.

Nopolicyisintendedasaguaranteeofcontinuityofbenefitsorrights.Nopermanentemploymentoremploymentforanytermisintendedorcanbeimpliedbystatementsinthismanual.

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EqualOpportunityPolicy

TheTownofBattleGroundisanEqualOpportunityemployer.

Noemployeeofthetownwilldiscriminateagainstanapplicantforemploymentorafellowemployeebecauseofrace,creed,color,religion,sex,nationalorigin,ancestry,ageoranyphysicalormentaldisability.Noemployeeofthetownwilldiscriminateagainstanyapplicantorfellowemployeebecauseoftheperson'sveteranstatus.

Thispolicyappliestoallemploymentpracticesandpersonnelactionsincludingadvertising,recruitment,testing,screening,hiring,selectionfortraining,upgrading,transfer,demotion,layoff,termination,ratesofpayandotherformsofcompensationorovertime.

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Recruitment

TheTownofBattleGround'spositionsmaybefilledbyeithertransferorpromotionofexistingemployeesorbynewemployeeswhoarerecruitedorapply.Recruitmentmaybeconductedthroughadvertising,employmentagencies,schools,employeereferralsortechnicalandtradereferrals.Council/director/supervisorsshouldconsiderthemostappropriatemethodofrecruitmentforfillingdepartmentalpositions.Allrecruitmentshallbeconductedinanethical,professionalandnon-discriminatorymanner.

TheTownofBattleGroundprovidesequalemploymentopportunitytoallapplicantsonthebasisofdemonstratedability,experienceandtraining.

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EmployeeSelectionandDevelopment

TheTownofBattleGroundprovidesequalopportunitytoallapplicantsonthebasisofdemonstratedability,experience,training,andpotential.QualifiedpersonsareselectedwithoutprejudiceordiscriminationasstatedintheTown'sEqualOpportunityPolicy.

Theemploymentrequisitions,initiatedbythecouncil/director/supervisors,willdefinethejob-relatedtasksandqualificationsnecessarytoassumetheposition.Thedefinedtasksandstatedqualificationswillbethebasisforscreeningapplications.Thecouncil/director/supervisorswillconductstructuredinitialinterviewslimitedtojob-relatedquestionstoassesseachcandidate'sexperience,demonstratedabilityandtraining.Thetelephonemaybeusedfortheseinitialinterviews.

Recruitingisonlyonepartofcontinuedemployeedevelopment,whichisafive-partprocessdesignedtohelpretaingoodworkers.Theemploymentdevelopmentprocessincludes(1)recruiting,(2)interviewing,(3)hiring,(4)trainingand(5)evaluation.

Recruiting

Recruitinginvolvesavarietyoffactors:• Developingajobdescription• Findingcandidatesthrough◊ employeereferral◊ jobboards◊ advertisingintrademagazinesorthegeneralmedia◊ executiverecruiters

Interviewing

Interviewingalsoinvolvesavarietyoffactors:• Telephonescreeningtodetermineifcandidatesmeetthejobdescription• Initialone-on-oneinterviews• Follow-upinterviewswithpeers• Checkingreferencesandbackgrounds• Gainingtheconsensusofinterviewerstohireornottohire

Beforeextendinganemploymentofferandupontheapplicant'sprioragreement,atleasttwoapplicantreferencesmustbechecked.Inquiriesaretobemadeinaprofessionalmannerrequestingonlyfactuallyverifiableandjob-relatedinformation.Thereferencedataisusedonlyassupplementalinformationforthehiringdecision.

Hiring

oncethecouncil/director/supervisorshasmadeadecisionaverbalorwrittenofferwillbesubmittedtotheapplicant.Uponapplicantsacceptancehe/shewillbehiredandwelcomedasamemberoftheTownofBattleGroundteam.Followingemployment,thereferencesandinterviewratingsmustberetainedfor

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uptooneyearandthenmaybedestroyed.

Aftercandidateinterviews,verificationofemploymenthistoryandreferenceinquiries,thehiringmanager/supervisorsareresponsiblefortheemploymentoffer.Aftertheverbalofferhasbeenmadeandthecandidatehasagreedtotheessentialtermsoftheoffer(typicallytheposition,employeeclassification,salaryorrate,andthestartingdate),awrittenofferwillbepreparedandsubmittedtothecandidateinpersonorbymailconfirmingtheverbalofferandwillincludetheessentialtermsoftheverbalofferasagreedtobythecandidate.Thecandidatewillberequiredtosignanddateanacceptanceofthewrittenofferthatwillstateasfollows:

"TheundersignedacceptstheaboveemploymentofferandagreesthatitcontainsthetermsofemploymentwiththeTownofBattleGroundandthattherearenoothertermsexpressorimplied.ItisunderstoodthatemploymentissubjecttoverificationofidentityandemploymenteligibilityandmaybeterminatedbytheTownofBattleGroundatanytimeforanyreason."

Theverbalorwrittenoffermustneverexpressorimplythatemploymentis"permanent,""long-term,"ofaspecificduration,orwordsofsimilarmeaning.Anexceptionmaybemadewhereatemporarypositionofknowndurationistobefilled.Employmentmaybemadecontingentuponcertainjob-relatedfactors,suchasobtainingaspecificstateorfederallicensewhenappropriateordesirable.

Afterthecandidatehasacceptedtheemploymentoffer,sheorhewillberequiredtoprovidedocumentationofidentityandemploymenteligibilityinaccordancewithfederallaw.FormI9,shallbeusedforthispurpose.

Hereisanoutlineofthehiringprocess:

• Makeverbaloffer• Follow-upwithbasicofferletteroutliningkeyterms• Receiveacceptanceofofferletterfromnewemployee• Filepaperwork(W2,signedemploymentagreementandI-9)

Training

Allnewemployeeswillbeprovidedwithanorientationbriefing,whichwillbeheldwithintheirfirstweekofemploymentwiththetown.Theorientationisdesignedtoacquaintthenewemployeewiththetownanditspolicies.Thedirector/supervisorswillberesponsibleforensuringtheattendanceofnewemployeesatthetownorientationsessions.

Onthefirstdayofemployment,theemployee'sdirector/supervisorsareresponsibleforassistingtheemployeeincompletingallcheck-inandbenefitenrollmentprocedureswiththePersonnelandAccountingdepartments.Inadditionthedirector/supervisorswillensurethatthenewemployeereceivesanintroductionwithinthetownandisprovidedwithin-depthinformationregardinghisorherspecificroleandresponsibilitieswithinhisorherdepartment.

Hereisabriefoutlineofthisfirstweek:

• IntroductiontocoworkersonDay1

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• Director/supervisorsidentifiesspecificrolesandresponsibilitiesofemployeeonDay1• Director/supervisorsreviewsthetownhistoryandfacilitieswithin1stweekofemployment

Evaluation

givingconstructivefeedbackatvarioustimesduringtheemploymentrelationshipisthefinalstageoftheemploymentdevelopmentprocess.Newandexistingemployeeswillbeprovidedwithfeedbackatdifferenttimesduringtheyear.

Director/supervisorswillprovidethefollowing:

• Newemployeeswillbeprovidedperformanceevaluationcriteriabeforetheendofthe1stmonthof

employment• Quarterlyfeedbacksessionswithallemployees• Semiannualprofessionaldevelopmentreviewforallemployees• AnnualPerformanceReviewsforallemployees

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SexualHarassment

TheTownofBattleGroundwillnotallowanyformofsexualharassmentwithintheworkenvironment.

Sexualharassmentinterfereswithworkperformanceandcreatesanintimidating,hostileoroffensiveworkenvironment.Sexualharassmentinfluencesortendstoaffectthecareer,salary,workingconditions,responsibilities,dutiesorotheraspectsofcareerdevelopmentofanemployeeorprospectiveemployee;orcreatesanexplicitorimplicittermorconditionofanindividual'semployment.Itwillnotbetolerated.

Sexualharassment,asdefinedinthispolicy,includes,butisnotlimitedto,sexualadvances,verbalorphysicalconductofasexualnature,visualformsofasexualoroffensivenature(e.g.,signsandposters)orrequestsforsexualfavors.

Anyintentionalsexualharassmentisconsideredtobeamajorviolationofthetownpolicyandwillbedealtwithaccordinglybycorrectivecounselingand/orsuspensionortermination,dependingupontheseverityoftheviolation.

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IllegalDrugAbuse/AlcoholAbuse

Thispolicyisimplementedbecausewebelievethattheimpairmentofanytownemployeeduetohisorheruseofillegaldrugsorduetoalcoholabuseislikelytoresultintheriskofinjurytootheremployees,theimpairedemployee,ortothirdparties,suchascustomersorbusinessguests.Moreoverillegaldrugabuseadverselyaffectsemployeemoraleandproductivity.

"Impairment"or"beingimpaired"meansthatanemployee'snormalphysicalormentalabilitiesorfacultieswhileatworkhavebeendetrimentallyaffectedbytheuseofillegaldrugsoralcohol.

Theemployeewhobeginsworkwhileimpairedorwhobecomesimpairedwhileatworkisguiltyofamajorviolationofthetownrulesandissubjecttoseveredisciplinaryaction.Severedisciplinaryactioncanincludesuspension,dismissaloranyotherpenaltyappropriateunderthecircumstances.Likewisetheuse,possession,transferorsaleofanyillegaldrugsontownpremisesorinanytownstorageareaorjobsiteisprohibited.Employeeswhoviolatethisrulearesubjecttoseveredisciplinaryaction.Inallinstancesdisciplinaryactiontobeadministeredshallbeatthesolediscretionanddeterminationofthedirector/supervisorsorcouncil.

Whenanemployeeisinvolvedintheuse,possession,transferorsaleofillegaldrugsinviolationofthispolicy,thetownmaynotifyappropriateauthorities.Suchnoticewillbegivenonlyaftersuchanincidenthasbeeninvestigatedandreviewedbytheemployee'sdirector/supervisorsandthecouncil.Thetowncouncilisawarethatillegaldrugabuseisacomplexhealthproblemthathasbothphysicalimpactandanemotionalimpactontheemployee,hisorherfamily,andsocialrelationships.Adrugabuserisapersonwhousesillegaldrugs,asdefinedabove,fornomedicalreasons,andthisuseaffectsjobperformancedetrimentallyorinterfereswithnormalsocialintercourseatwork.Illegaldrugabuseisbothamanagementandamedicalproblem.

Thedirector/supervisorswhosuspectadrugoralcoholabusecaseshoulddiscussthesituationimmediatelywiththetowncouncil.Becauseeachcaseisusuallydifferent,thehandlingandreferralofthecasemustbecoordinatedwiththedirector/supervisorsandthetowncouncil.

Applicantswhohaveapasthistoryofsubstanceabuseandwhohavedemonstratedanabilitytoabstainfromthesubstance,orwhocanprovidemedicalassuranceofacceptablecontrol,maybeconsideredforemploymentaslongastheyareotherwisequalifiedforthepositionforwhichtheyareapplying.

Thetowncouncilhaschosentoadoptanalcoholicbeveragepolicyinkeepingwiththeconcernforandtherisksassociatedwithalcoholuse.Alcoholicbeveragesshallnotbeservedorusedonthetownpremisesatanytime.

Socialactivitiesheldoff-premisesandpaidforonapersonalbasisarenotaffectedbythispolicy.

Thetownisconcernedwithitsemployee'sprivacy,especiallywhenmattersregardingmedicalandpersonalinformationareinvolved.Aslongastheinformationisnotneededforpoliceorsecuritypurposes,thetownshallmaintainemployeemedicalandpersonalinformationinconfidenceandreleasethisinformationtoauthorizedtownpersonnelona"needtoknow"basis.Anexceptiontothispolicyiswhentheemployeesignsareleaseforthetransferofsuchinformationonformsacceptabletothetowntodesignatedpersonsoragencies.

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Nothingcontainedinthissectionshalleliminateormodifythetown'srighttoterminateanyemployeeatanytimeforanyreason.

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Smoking

Nosmokingwillbeallowedintheofficeareaatanytime.Thispolicyisforthehealthandsafetyofallemployees.

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EmploymentClassifications

Therearethreeclassificationsofemployees:

RegularFull-timeisanemployeewhoworksaminimum40-hourworkweekonaregularlyscheduledbasis.

RegularPart-timeisanemployeewhoworkseitheraregularlyscheduledworkweekoranirregularscheduledworkweekforanundeterminedamountofweeks.

Temporaryisanemployeehiredforapositionrequiredforonlyaspecific,knownduration,usuallylessthansixmonths,andwhoisnotentitledtoregularbenefits.Atemporaryemployeemaybefull-timeorpart-time.

Allemployeesareclassifiedasexemptandnonexemptaccordingtothesedefinitions:

SalariedExemptPositionsofamanagerial,administrativeorprofessionalnature,asprescribedbyfederalandstatelaborstatutes,whichareexemptfrommandatoryovertimepayments.

SalariedNonexempt(hourly)Positionsdefinedbystatute,whicharecoveredbyprovisionsforovertimepayments.

Ifyouareuncertainastoyourstatus,pleasecontactyourdirector/supervisors.

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EmployeeSafety

TheTownofBattleGroundstrivestoprovideitsemployeeswithasafeandhealthfulworkplaceenvironment.Toaccomplishthisgoal,bothmanagementandemployeesmustdiligentlyundertakeeffortstopromotesafety.

Alljob-relatedinjuriesorillnessesaretobereportedtoyourdirector/supervisorsimmediately,regardlessofseverity.Inthecaseofseriousinjury,anemployee'sreportingobligationwillbedeferreduntilcircumstancesreasonablypermitareporttobemade.Failuretoreportaninjuryorillnessmayprecludeordelaythepaymentofanybenefitstotheemployeeandcouldsubjectthetowntofinesandpenalties.

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ReturntoWorkAfterSeriousInjuryorIllness

Asajointprotectiontotheemployeeandthetown,employeeswhohavebeenabsentfromworkbecauseofseriousillnessorinjuryarerequiredtoobtainadoctor'sreleasespecificallystatingthattheemployeeiscapableofperforminghisorhernormaldutiesorassignments.Aseriousinjuryorillnessisdefinedasonethatresultsintheemployeebeingabsentfromworkformorethantwo(2)consecutiveweeksoronewhichmaylimittheemployee'sfutureperformanceofregulardutiesorassignments.(AlsoseeMedical/FamilyLeavepolicy.)

Thedirector/supervisorsshallensurethatemployeeswhoreturntoworkafteraseriousinjuryorillnessarephysicallycapableofperformingtheirdutiesorassignmentswithoutriskofre-injuryorrelapse.

Ifthecauseoftheemployee'sillnessorinjurywasjob-related,theemployee'sdirector/supervisorswillmakeeveryreasonableefforttoassignthereturningemployeetoassignmentsconsistentwiththeinstructionsoftheemployee'sdoctoruntiltheemployeeisfullyrecovered.Adoctor'swrittenreleaseisrequiredbeforerecoverycanbeassumed.

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PerformanceImprovement

Performanceimprovementmaybesuggestedwhenevertownmanagementbelievesthatanemployee'sperformanceislessthansatisfactoryandcanberesolvedthroughadequatecounseling.Correctivecounselingiscompletelyatthediscretionofthedirector/supervisors.Thetowndesirestoprotectitsinvestmentoftimeandexpensedevotedtoemployeeorientationandtrainingwheneverthatgoalisinthetown'sbestinterests.Thetownexpresslyreservestherighttodischarge"atwill."Evenifcorrectivecounselingisimplemented,itmaybeterminatedatanystepatthediscretionofthecouncil.Thecouncil,initssolediscretion,maywarn,reassign,suspendordischargeanyemployeeatwill,whicheveritchoosesandatanytime.

Thedirector/supervisorswilldeterminethecourseofactionbestsuitedtothecircumstances.Thestepsinperformanceimprovementareasfollows:

VerbalCounseling

Thefirststepincorrectingunacceptableperformanceorbehavior,thedirector/supervisorsshouldreviewpertinentjobrequirementswiththeemployeetoensurehisorherunderstandingofthem.Thedirector/supervisorsshouldconsidertheseverityoftheproblem,theemployee'spreviousperformanceappraisalsandallofthecircumstancessurroundingtheparticularcase.Statingthatawrittenwarning,probationorpossibleterminationcouldresultiftheproblemisnotresolvedshouldindicatetheseriousnessoftheperformanceormisconduct.Theemployeeshouldbeaskedtoreviewwhathasbeendiscussedtoensurehisorherunderstandingoftheseriousnessoftheproblemandthecorrectiveactionnecessary.Thedirector/supervisorsshoulddocumenttheverbalcounselingforfuturereferenceimmediatelyfollowingthereview.

Writtencounseling

iftheunacceptableperformanceorbehaviorcontinues,thenextstepshallbeawrittenwarning.Certaincircumstances,suchasviolationofawidelyknownpolicyorsafetyrequirement,mayjustifyawrittenwarningwithoutfirstusingverbalcounseling.Thewrittenwarningdefinestheproblemandhowitmaybecorrected.Theseriousnessoftheproblemisagainemphasized,andthewrittenwarningshallindicatethatprobationorterminationorbothmayresultifimprovementisnotobserved.Writtencounselingbecomespartoftheemployee'spersonnelfile,althoughthedirector/supervisorsmaydirectthatthewrittenwarningberemovedafteraperiodoftime,underappropriatecircumstances.

Probation

iftheproblemhasnotbeenresolvedthroughwrittencounselingorthecircumstanceswarrantit,orboth,theindividualshouldbeplacedonprobation.Probationisaseriousactioninwhichtheemployeeisadvisedthatterminationwilloccurifimprovementinperformanceorconductisnotachievedwithintheprobationaryperiod.Theemployee'sdirector/supervisors,afterreviewoftheemployee'scorrectivecounselingdocumentation,willdeterminethelengthofprobation.Typically,theprobationperiodshouldbeatleasttwoweeksandnolongerthan60days,dependingonthecircumstances.Awrittenprobationarynoticetotheemployeeispreparedbythedirector/supervisors.Thelettershouldincludeastatementofthefollowing:• Thespecificunsatisfactorysituation;

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• Areviewoforalandwrittenwarnings;• Thelengthofprobation;• Thespecificbehaviormodificationoracceptablelevelofperformance;• Suggestionsforimprovement;• Ascheduledcounselingsessionorsessionsduringtheprobationaryperiod;and

•Astatementthatfurtheraction,includingtermination,mayresultifdefinedimprovementorbehaviormodificationdoesnotresultduringprobation."Furtheraction"mayinclude,butisnotlimitedto,reassignment,reductioninpay,gradeordemotion.

Thedirector/supervisorsshouldpersonallymeetwiththeemployeetodiscusstheprobationaryletterandansweranyquestions.Theemployeeshouldacknowledgereceiptbysigningtheletter.Iftheemployeeshouldrefusetosign,thedirector/supervisorsmaysignattestingthatitwasdeliveredtotheemployeeandidentifyingthedateofdelivery.Theprobationaryletterbecomespartoftheemployee'spersonnelfile.

Onthedefinedprobationcounselingdateordates,theemployeeanddirector/supervisorswillmeettoreviewtheemployee'sprogressincorrectingtheproblemwhichledtotheprobation.Briefwrittensummariesofthesemeetingsshouldbepreparedwithcopiesprovidedtotheemployee.

Atthecompletionoftheprobationaryperiod,thedirector/supervisorswilldeterminewhethertheemployeehasachievedtherequiredlevelofperformanceandtoconsiderremovingtheemployeefromprobation,extendingtheperiodofprobationortakingfurtheraction.Theemployeeistobeadvisedinwritingofthedecision.Shouldprobationbecompletedsuccessfully,theemployeeshouldbecommended,thoughcautionedthatanyfuturerecurrencemayresultinfurtherdisciplinaryaction.

InvoluntaryTermination

involuntaryterminationnoticeispreparedbythedirector/supervisorswithconcurrenceof,andreviewby,thetowncouncil.Theemployeeisnotifiedoftheterminationbythedirector/supervisorsandwillbedirectedtoreporttothetowncouncilfordebriefingandcompletionofterminationdocumentation.Involuntaryterminationisarecasesthatcannotberesolvedbycorrectivecounselingoramajorviolationhasoccurredwhichcannotbetolerated.

Thefollowingdefinitionsandclassificationofviolations,forwhichcorrectivecounseling,performanceimprovementorotherdisciplinaryactionmaybetaken,aremerelyillustrativeandnotlimitedtotheseexamples.Aparticularviolationmaybemajororminor,dependingonthesurroundingfactsorcircumstances.

Minorviolations

isalessseriousviolationsthathavesomeeffectonthecontinuity,efficiencyofwork,safety,andharmonywithinthetown.Theytypicallyleadtocorrectivecounselingunlessrepeatedorwhenunrelatedincidentsoccurinrapidsuccession.Herearesomeexamplesofminorviolations:• Excessivetardiness;• Unsatisfactoryjobperformance;• Defacingtownproperty;• Interferingwithanotheremployee'sjobperformance;

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• Excessiveabsenteeism;

• Failuretoobserveworkinghours,suchasthescheduleofstartingtime,quittingtime,restandmealperiods;• Performingunauthorizedpersonalworkontowntime;

• Failuretonotifythedirector/supervisorsofintendedabsenceeitherbeforeorwithinonehourafterthestartofashift;and• Unauthorizeduseofthetowntelephoneorequipmentforpersonalbusiness.

MajorViolations

Moreseriousviolationswouldincludeanydeliberateorwillfulinfractionoftownrulesandmayprecludecontinuedemploymentofanemployee.Herearesomeexamplesofmajorviolations:• Fightingontownpremises;

• Repeatedoccurrencesofrelatedorunrelatedminorviolations,dependingupontheseverityoftheviolationandthecircumstances;• Anyactwhichmightendangerthesafetyorlivesofothers;

• Departingtownpremisesduringworkinghoursforpersonalreasonswithoutthepermissionofthedirector/supervisors;• Bringingfirearmsorweaponsontothetownpremises;

• Deliberatelystealing,destroying,abusing,ordamagingtownproperty,tools,orequipmentorthepropertyofanotheremployeeorvisitor;• Disclosureofconfidentialtowninformationortradesecretstounauthorizedpersons;• Willfullydisregardingtownpoliciesorprocedures;• Willfullyfalsifyinganytownrecords;• Willfullydeletinganyfilesandtownrecords;

• Employee'sconvictionfororconfessiontofraud,misappropriation,embezzlement,theftorthelikeagainstthetown;• Employee'sconvictionofafelonyoracrimeinvolvingmoralturpitude;

• IfEmployeeperformsanyintentionalactwhich,underthereasonablemanstandard,damagesthereputationofthetown;

• Employee'sconvictionfororconfessiontosexualharassmentinanyformtowardsemployeesofthetownoranyoneaffiliatedwiththetown;or

• Employee'sexcessiveabsencefromperforminghisdutiesforthetown,asdeterminedbythetown,inthetown'ssoleandabsolutediscretion.

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Termination

Terminationsaretobetreatedinaconfidentialandprofessionalmannerbyallconcerned.Thedirector/supervisorsmustassurethorough,consistentandevenhandedterminationprocedures.Thispolicyanditsadministrationwillbeimplementedinaccordancewiththetownequalopportunitystatement.

Terminatedemployeesareentitledtoreceiveallearnedpay,includingvacationpay.

Employmentwiththetownisnormallyterminatedthroughoneofthefollowingactions:

Resignation

voluntaryterminationbytheemployee;

Dismissal

involuntaryterminationforsubstandardperformanceormisconduct;or

Layoff

terminationduetoreductionoftheworkforceoreliminationofaposition

Resignation

anemployeewhowantstoterminateemployment,regardlessofemployeeclassification,isexpectedtogiveasmuchadvancenoticeaspossible.Twoweeksortenworkingdaysisgenerallyconsideredtobesufficientnoticetime.

SubstandardPerformance

anemployeemaybedischargedifhisorherperformanceisunacceptable.Thedirector/supervisorsshallhavecounseledtheemployeeconcerningperformancedeficiencies,provideddirectionforimprovement,andwarnedtheemployeeofpossibleterminationifperformancedidnotimprovewithinadefinedperiodoftime.Thedirector/supervisorsareexpectedtobealerttoanyunderlyingreasonsforperformancedeficienciessuchaspersonalproblemsorillegaldrugabuse.Themanagementteammustconcurinadvanceofadvisingtheemployeeofdischargeaction.Documentationtobepreparedbythedirector/supervisorsshallincludereasonforseparation,performancehistory,correctiveeffortstaken,alternativesexploredandanyadditionalpertinentinformation.

Misconduct

anemployeefoundtobeengagedinactivitiessuchas,butnotlimitedto,theftoftownproperty,insubordination,conflictofinterestoranyotheractivitiesshowingwillfuldisregardofthetowninterestsorpolicieswillbeterminatedassoonasthedirector/supervisorsandmanagementteamhaveconcurredwiththeaction.

Terminationresultingfrommisconductshallbeenteredintotheemployee'spersonnelfile.Theemployeeshallbeprovidedwithawrittensummaryofthereasonfortermination.Nosalarycontinuanceor

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severancepaywillbeallowed.

TerminationProcessingProcedures

thedirector/supervisorsmustimmediatelynotifythemanagementteamoftheterminationsothataterminationchecklistcanbeinitiated.Themanagementteamwillapproveanddirecttheterminationprocedure.

Onthefinaldayofemployment,thedirector/supervisorsmustreceiveallkeysandtownpropertyfromtheemployee.

Thedirector/supervisorsmayconductanexitinterviewwiththeemployee.

Theemployeewillpickuphisorherfinalpayrollwhichincludesallearnedpayandanyexpensesduetheemployee.

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GrievanceProcedure

TheTownofBattleGroundrecognizesthevalueofagrievanceprocedurethatprovidesforthetimelyreviewofemployeegrievancesinafairyetworkablemanner.Agrievanceisconsideredtobeanydisputebetweenanemployeeandthetownwhichimpactsonanemployee'sabilitytoperformhisorherjob.

Althoughpurelypersonalmattersbetweenemployeeswouldnotordinarilygiverisetoagrievancesubjecttothisgrievanceprocedure,anymatterthatadverselyaffectsanemployee'sabilitytoperformhisorherjobcouldbethesubjectofagrievance.Usegoodindividualjudgmentandcommonsenseasyourguide.

Anemployeemayexpressaverbalgrievancetohisorherimmediatedirector/supervisors.Iftheconcernisnotresolvedtotheemployee'ssatisfactionwithinoneweek,theemployeemayputinwritingthedetailsofhisorhergrievanceandsubmitthegrievancetothetowncouncil.

Theproblemwillbediscussedinthepresenceoftheemployeeanddirector/supervisors.

Thedecisionwillbereducedtowriting,acopygiventotheemployeeanddirector/supervisors,withtheoriginalkeptintheemployeesfileintheclerk'soffice.

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EmploymentDisputes

AnydisputeorclaimthatarisesoutoforthatrelatestoemploymentwiththeTownofBattleGroundorthatarisesoutoforthatisbasedontheemploymentrelationship(includinganywageclaim,anyclaimforwrongfulterminationoranyclaimbasedonanyemploymentdiscriminationorcivilrightsstatute,regulationorlaw),includingtortorharassmentclaims(exceptatortthatisa"compensableinjury"underworkers'compensationlaw),shallberesolvedbyarbitrationinaccordancewiththetheneffectivecommercialarbitrationrulesoftheAmericanArbitrationAssociationbyfilingaclaiminaccordancewiththeAssociation'sfilingrules,andjudgmentontheawardrenderedpursuanttosucharbitrationmaybeenteredinanycourthavingjurisdictionthereof.

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Compensation

EqualPay

TheTownofBattleGroundwillnotpaywagestoanyemployeeataratelessthanthetownpaysemployeesoftheoppositesexforworkthatissubstantiallyequivalentrequiringcomparableskills.

Thispolicyistobeconstruedinaccordancewithapplicablefederalandstatelawsandregulations.

JobDescriptions

Jobdescriptionsareavailablethroughthedirector/supervisorforallpositionsopenedinthetown.

Positiondescriptionsareusedtodetermineemployeeselection,jobrequirements,performancecriteria,organizationalstructure,andtherelativeworthofjobsinrelationtoeachother.Towndirector/supervisorsreviewalltownpositionstoensureequityandconsistencyinourPersonnelsystem.

Workday

Normalscheduledhoursfortownemployeesare7:30amto4:00pmwithadjustmentstoseasonalhours.

Payday

PaydayswilltakeplaceonFridayeachweekunlessrequestingpaidearlierduetovacation.

OvertimeCompensation

Nonexemptsalaried(hourly)employeeswillaccumulatecompensationpayattherateofoneandone-halftimestheirregularhourlyrateofpayforalltimeinexcessof40hoursinanyoneworkweek.

(AmendedbyResolutionNo.10-45,adopted12/13/2010.+/- {viewarchive2}

(AmendedbyResolutionNo.09-34,adopted11/9/2009.+/- {viewarchive1}

TheBattleGroundTownCouncilmayelecttopay-downaccumulatedcompensationtimebyadoptingaresolutionforsuchpurposethatspecifiestheprocess.

Editor'sNote:ThepreceedingparagraphwasaddedbyOrdinanceNo.11-490,adopted3/29/2011.Foranexampleofa"Pay-Down"Resolution,seeResolution11-46,adopted3/29/2011.

Overtimeisneverattheemployee'sdiscretion.Itshallonlybeincurredandpaidattherequestofthe

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employee'sdirector/supervisors.Director/supervisorsshallensurethatnounauthorizedovertimehoursareworked.

PerformanceReview

Itisthedirector/supervisorsresponsibilitytodevelopandmaintainaworkenvironmentinwhichemployeescanopenlydiscussperformanceanddevelopplans.Theemployeewillbenotifiedinwritingtendaysinadvanceoftheperformancereviewdate.Alsoincludedinthenotificationwillbethetime,place,andthediscussiontopicsfortheemployeetoprepareforthereview.Theemployee,aswellasthedirector/supervisor,istobringthefollowingtothereviewmeeting:

• Asummarystatementoftheprogressmadetowardmeetinghisorheremploymentgoals;

• Examplesofjob-relatedareasdemonstratinggreateststrengthsandidentifyingareaswhereadditionaltrainingisneeded;• Anoutlineofjob-relatedtasksinwhichtheemployeecanparticipatetoimproveperformance;• Arecommendationofjobresponsibilitiesandgoalstobeestablishedforthenextsix-monthperiod;• Asummaryofoverallemploymentperformance.

Thedirector/supervisorisresponsibleforestablishingarelaxedatmosphereattheperformancereviewandencouragingtwo-waycommunication.Thediscussionshouldbeconductedinapositivemanner,incompleteprivacyandwithnointerruptions.Thedirector/supervisorshallverifythattheemployeeisfamiliarwithhisorherjobduties,previousgoalsandtheappraisalcriteriaorfactors.Attheconclusionoftheperformanceappraisal,theemployeewillberequestedtosigntheappraisalverifyingthatheorsheparticipatedintheevaluation.Theemployeeshouldbeencouragedtosubmitcommentsabouttheappraisalthatwillbecomepartoftherecord.Adateforthenextappraisalshallbeagreeduponandnotedontheappraisalform.Theemployeemustbegivenasignedcopyoftheappraisal.Theappraisalisthensubmittedforreviewtothetowncouncil.

TheTownofBattleGroundbelievesthatpayincreasesshouldberelatedtoanemployee'sperformance.Followingperformancereviews,thedirector/supervisorwillranktheemployee'sperformanceaccordingtohisorherrelativelevelofcontributiontothetown.Factorswillincludehowwelltheemployeehasmettheobjectivesagreeduponinthelastreviewandtheemployee'slevelofcontributiontothesuccessofthedepartmentrelativetootheremployees.Thedirector/supervisorwillrankalldepartmentemployeesinoneoffivegroupings:

1. Outstanding2. VeryGood3. Good4. Marginal5. Unsatisfactory

Anyemployeereceivingaratingof4or5mustbeputonwarningwithacorrectiveactionplantoaddresstheissuesidentified.

Adecisionrelatingtotheemployee'smeritincreaseinpaywillbemadebythedirector/supervisorafterthereviewandrankingprocesshasbeencompleted.Thedirector/supervisorwillforwardameritincreaserecommendationwiththeappraisaltothetowncouncil.Meritincreasesinpayareneither

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automaticnorperiodic.Theyarereservedforemployeeswhoshowskillsimprovementandhigherthanaverageperformance.Informationaboutratesofpayandmeritincreasesinpay,ifany,aredeemedtobeconfidentialmattersbetweenthetownandeachemployeeandarenottobediscussedamongemployees.

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SalaryAdministration

Itisacouncilpolicytoawardannualmeritincreasestoemployeesfortheirdedicationtothetownbasedontheirskills,improvementandoutstandingperformance.Everyemployeeiseligibleforameritincrease.Howevermeritincreasesarenotautomatic.Followingtheemployee'sperformancereview,thedirector/supervisorwillranktheemployee'sperformanceaccordingtohisorherrelativelevelofcontributiontothetown.Factorswillinclude,withoutlimitation,howwelltheemployeehasmettheobjectivesagreeduponinthelastreview.Employeeswillberankedas:

1. Outstanding2. VeryGood3. Good4. Marginal5. Unsatisfactory

Thedirector/supervisorwillforwardameritincreaserecommendationwiththeappraisaltothetowncouncilforfinalapproval.

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PayrollDeductions

Thefollowingmandatorydeductionswillbemadefromeveryemployee'sgrosswages:federalincometax,socialsecurityFICAtax,Medicaretaxandapplicablestateandcountytaxes.

Everyemployeemustfilloutandsignafederalwithholdingallowancecertificate,IRSFormW-4,onorbeforehisorherfirstdayonthejob.Thisformmustbecompletedinaccordancewithfederalregulations.TheemployeemayfilloutanewW-4atanytimewhenhisorhercircumstanceschange.EmployeeswhopaidnofederalincometaxfortheprecedingyearandwhoexpecttopaynoincometaxforthecurrentyearmayfilloutanExemptionfromWithholdingCertificate,IRSFormW-4E.EmployeesareexpectedtocomplywiththeinstructionsonFormW-4.QuestionsregardingtheproprietyofclaimeddeductionsmaybereferredtotheIRSincertaincircumstances.

Otheroptionaldeductionsincludetheportionofgrouphealthinsurancenotpaidbythetown,whichisdeductedfromeachpayrollcheck.Othervoluntarycontributions(ifapplicable),suchaspension(PERF)plan,arealsodeductedeachpayperiod.

EveryemployeewillreceiveanannualWageandTaxStatement,IRSFormW-2,fortheprecedingyearonorbeforeJanuary31.Anyemployee,whobelievesthathisorherdeductionsareincorrectforanypayperiod,oronFormW-2,shouldcheckwiththetownclerkimmediately.

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EmployeeBenefits

Insurance

Employeesshouldrefertothecurrentsalaryordinanceforinformationoninsurancecoverage.

TheTownofBattleGroundhastherighttochangeinsurancecompaniesortomodifyorterminateeligibilityrequirements,benefits,orcoverageatanytime.

PERFProgram

Eligibility

Afulltimeemployeeistoentertheplanonthefirstweekofwork.

Contributions

Itismandatorytocontribute3%ofyourcompensationorcurrentrateonapre-taxbasisweeklyalthoughyouareallowedtocontributemore.Forfurtherinformationcontacttheclerk.

Transferofmoniesbetweenyourfundchoicesorchangesinallocationofyourpercentageofcontributiontoanyorallofyourfundsareallowedwithtimerestrictions.

Statements:ParticipantstatementswillbepreparedbyPERFonaquarterlybasisandmailedtoyourhomeaddress.

Vacation

Newemployeesbecomeeligibleforvacationinaccordancetothecurrentsalaryordinance.Part-timeandtemporaryemployeesarenotentitledtopaidvacation.Employeeswhoarenotentitledtopaidvacationmayrequestpermissionfromtheirdirector/supervisortotakevacationtimewithoutpay.

Allvacationsmustbescheduledinadvancewiththeemployee'sdirector/supervisor.Employeesareresponsibleforplanningaheadforvacationandworkingoutacompleteschedulewiththeirdirector/supervisor.

TheBattleGroundTownCouncilmayelecttopay-downaccumulatedvacationtimebyadoptingaresolutionforsuchpurposethatspecifiestheprocess.

Editor'sNote:ThepreceedingparagraphwasaddedbyOrdinanceNo.11-490,adopted3/29/2011.

Upontermination,theemployee'saccruedandunusedvacationhourswillbeaddedtothefinalpaycheck

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usingtheemployee'sthen-currentstraight-timehourlyrateforconversion.

Holidays

Employeepaidholidayswillbelistedinthecurrentsalaryordinanceandthetownhallwillbeclosedonthesedays.

*

IftheseholidaysfallonSaturday,theFridaybeforewillbeaholiday.IftheyfallonSunday,thefollowingMondaywillbeaholiday.

Onlyregularfull-timeemployeesareeligibleforholidaypay.Part-timeandtemporaryemployeesarenoteligibleforholidaypay.

Ifadesignatedholidayfallswithinanemployee'svacationperiod,theholidayisnotconsideredavacationday.

SickDays

TheTownofBattleGrounddoesnotprovidepaidsickdays.Employeescanhoweveruseaccumulatedcompensationtimeorvacationtime.

Itisinthebestinterestsofthetownandtheemployeewhoisillorinjuredtonotremainatwork.Itisthedirectororsupervisor'sresponsibilitytosendtheemployeehomeiftheemployeeisincapacitated.

Employeesareencouragedtomaketheirroutinedoctorordentistappointmentsbeforearrivingforworkorafterleavingworkfortheday,ifpossible.Iftimeoffisrequiredforsuchappointments,arrangementsshouldbemadeinadvancewiththeemployee'sdirectororsupervisor.

Anemployeeisexpectedtonotifyhisorherdirector/supervisoratthebeginningofeachworkdayduringillnessorinjury.Exceptionstothisincludeaseriousaccidentalinjuryorhospitalization,orwhenitisknowninadvancethattheemployeewillbeabsentforacertainperiodoftime.

Amedicalstatementfromtheemployee'sdoctormayberequestedbythetownwhenanemployeeisabsentfromworkformorethanthreeworkingdays.

LeaveofAbsence

Aleaveofabsenceistimeoffinanon-paystatus.Uponreceiptofaformalwrittenrequestforleaveofabsencefromregularfull-timeemployees,managementwilldeterminewhetheraleaveofabsencewillbegranted.Theemployeeisexpectedtorequestleaveofabsencewithasmuchadvancenoticeaspossible.

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Vacationorcompensationtimeshouldbeusedforsuchabsences.Eachcasewillbeevaluatedonitsownmerits,andthefollowingwillbetakenintoconsiderations:

1. Thereasonfortherequest;2. Theamountoftimerequired;and3. Theemployee'slengthofserviceandpastrecord.

ReturntoWork

Employeeswhodonotreturntoworkafteranyleaveofabsencewillbeterminatedeffectiveonthelastdayofworkorpaidleave,whicheverislater.

BenefitsduringApprovedLeaveofAbsence

Holidays

toreceiveholidaypay,anemployeemustbeinactivepaystatusthedaybeforeandthedayaftertheholiday.Employeesarenoteligibletoreceivepayforanyholidayduringtheleaveperiod.

Vacation

Novacationhoursareearnedduringtheleaveperiod.Employeesrequestingaleaveofabsenceformedicalormilitaryreasonsmaychoosetouseallearnedvacationbeforebeginningleaveofabsence.Employeesrequestingpersonalleaveofabsencemustuseallearnedvacationbeforebeginningleaveofabsence.

Insurance

Thetownwillcontinuetheemployee'sinsurancebenefitsonaleaveofabsence,providedthattheemployeepaystheentirecostofthepremiums.

BereavementLeave

Thetownwillpayforthreedayoftimeoffintheeventofdeathofthefollowingimmediatefamilymembers:spouse,child,brother,sister,motherorfather,grandparentsandfatherandmother-in-laws.

Additionaltimeoffwillbedecidedbetweentheemployeeanddirector/supervisor.Accumulatedcomp-timeorvacationtimecanbeusedatthistime.

Leaveforattendanceatthefuneralofanon-immediatefamilymemberorpersonwithanespeciallycloserelationshipmaybegrantedwithoutpay.

JuryDuty

TheTownofBattleGroundwillgrantemployeestimeoffformandatoryjurydutyorcourtappearancesasawitnesswhentheemployeemustserveorisrequiredtoappearasaresultofacourtorderorsubpoena.

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Acopyofthecourtorderorsubpoenamustbesuppliedtotheemployee'sdirector/supervisorwhenrequestingtimeoff.

Theemployeeisentitledtofullpayforeachdayofjurydutyorserviceasawitnessinadditiontoanyotherpaidleave.Howevertimeoffforcourtappearancesasapartytoanycivilorcriminallitigationshallnotbecompensatedandtheemployeemustarrangefortimeoffwithoutpayoruseaccruedvacationorcompensationtimeforsuchappearances.

Employee-IncurredExpensesandReimbursement

Allitemspurchasedorchargedbytheemployeearetohaveapaidreceipttobeturnedovertothetownclerk.Hisorherdirector/supervisormustapproveallsuchexpensesincurredbyanemployeebeforetheclerkwillmakepayment.

Employeesarenotallowedtomakepersonalpurchasesonthetownaccountsunderanycircumstance.

TravelReimbursement

Thispolicyestablishesthegeneralguidelinesandprocedurestobefollowedwhenbusinesstravelisrequired:

1. Travel-relatedexpensesaretobedetailedonalogsheetorfromanonline(MapQuest)orsomesimilarsourceoftheproofofthemileage;

2. Employeeswillbereimbursedatthefederalstatemileagerate(SeeCouncilMinutes,April,2009);3. Allparkingexpensesandhighwaytollsincurredasaresultofbusinesstravelwillbereimbursed;4. Employeeslodgingmustincludeadetailedreceiptfromthehotelormotel;5. Employeeswillbeallowed$40perdayformealsandprovideareceiptwhenavailable.A

reasonabletiptotherestaurantwillbereimbursed;6. Allreimbursementrequestsaretobesubmittedtothetownclerk.

Non-EmployeeTravelReimbursement

1. CitizensappointedtorepresenttheTownofBattleGroundonboardsorcommissionswillbesubjecttotherequirementsandreimbursementofthe"TravelReimbursement"Subsectionofthisdocument,withtheterm"Appointees"replacingtheterm"Employees"asappropriate.

2. TheTownCouncilmustapprovenon-employeetraveloutsideofTippecanoeCountyorwhereovernightlodgingisrequiredbeforesuchtraveloccurs.

(Resolution08-27,adopted11/10/2008.)

ConferencesandMeetings

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Employeesmayattendconferencesormeetingssponsoredbyinstitutionsorprofessionalorganizations.Thesubjectmattertobepresentedmustrelatedirectlytotheemployee'spositionorprovidebeneficialinformationtobesharedintheemployee'sdepartment.

Theemployee'sdirector/supervisorandthemustapprovetheemployee'sparticipationintheconferenceormeeting.

Thetownwillpayforthefollowingexpensesifattendanceisapproved:registrationfees,travelcosts,lodgingandmealexpensesnotcoveredbyregistration.

Timeoffforattendanceandtravelduringnormalworkinghourswillbepaidatthenormalrateofpay.

RequiredManagementApproval

Allemployeetravel,mileage,purchaserequisitionsandotherbusiness-relatedexpensereportsmusthaveadirector/supervisor'sapproval.Employeesmayrequestanadvanceofexpenditureswheneverneededtopreventanyheartship.Allexpensesaretobesubmittedtothetownclerk.Priortobeinghonoredbythetownclerk,theseexpensesmusthavetheemployee'ssignatureanddateandmustbeapprovedbytheemployee'sdirector/supervisor.

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MiscellaneousPolicies

ConfidentialityofCompanyInformation

Itistheresponsibilityofalltownemployeestosafeguardsensitivetowninformation.Continuedemploymentwiththecompanyiscontingentuponcompliancewiththispolicy.Thedirector/supervisorbearstheresponsibilityfortheorientationandtrainingofhisorheremployeestoensureenforcementoftownconfidentiality.

Allsuchinformationshallbeappropriatelymarkedorverballyidentifiedtoeachemployee.Whensuchinformationistransferredfromoneemployeetoanother,thetransferormustdoallofthefollowing:

1. Determinethatthetransferisnecessaryandintheinterestofthetown;2. Determinethatthetransfereehasaneedtoknowtheinformation;3. Inconsiderationoftheiremploymentwiththetown,employeeswillbeexposedtoinformationand

materialswhichareconfidential.Employeeswillnotatanytimediscloseoruse,eitherduringorsubsequenttotheiremployment,anyinformation,knowledgeordatawhichtheyreceive.

ConfidentialityoftheTownInformationE-Mail

Thetowncomputersande-mailsystemaretownproperty.Allemployeesareexpectedtousegoodjudgmentinusingelectronicmailandtoavoidindiscretionssuchasoffensiveorinappropriatemessagesoranyothermessagethetowndeemsinappropriate.E-mailmessagesshouldbeusedfortownbusinessonly.Misuseofe-mailmayresultindisciplinaryactionorpossiblytermination.

EmployeePrivacy

TheTownofBattleGroundrecognizesouremployees'rightstoprivacy.Inachievingthisgoal,thetownadoptsthesebasicprinciples:

1. Thecollectionofemployeeinformationwillbelimitedtothatwhichthetownneedsforbusinessandlegalpurposes;

2. Theconfidentialityofallpersonalinformationinourrecordswillbeprotected;3. Allin-houseemployeesinvolvedinrecordkeepingwillberequiredtoadheretothesepoliciesand

practices.Violationsofthispolicywillresultindisciplinaryaction;4. Internalaccesstoemployeerecordswillbelimitedtothoseemployeeshavinganauthorized,

business-related,need-to-knowbasis.Accessmayalsobegiventothirdparties,includinggovernmentagencies,pursuanttocourtorderorsubpoena;

5. Thetownwillrefusetoreleasepersonalinformationtooutsidesourceswithouttheemployee'swrittenapproval,unlesslegallyrequiredtodoso;

6. Employeesarepermittedtoseethepersonalinformationmaintainedabouttheminthetownrecords.

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Theymaycorrectinaccuratefactualinformationorsubmitwrittencommentsindisagreementwithanymaterialcontainedintheirtownrecords.

Telephone

Personalcallsofshortdurationmaybereceivedandmadeatyourdeskorworkstation.Personaltelephonecallprivilegesaresubjecttochangeorterminationatanytime.Forinstance,ifthecompanytelephonelinesbecomeoverloadedwithcallsoranemployeeisfoundspendingmorethanjustlimitedtimeonpersonalcalls,thisprivilegewillberevokedeithergenerallyorspecificallyastotheoffendingemployee.