employee policies manual - battleground.in.gov
TRANSCRIPT
EmployeePoliciesManualRevision1.0
ThepoliciesandproceduresinthismanualarenotintendedtobecontractualcommitmentsbytheTownofBattleGround,andemployeesshallnotconstruethemassuch.
Thepoliciesandproceduresareintendedtobeguidestomanagementandaremerelydescriptiveofsuggestedprocedurestobefollowed.TheTownofBattleGroundreservestherighttorevoke,changeorsupplementguidelinesatanytimewithoutnotice.
Nopolicyisintendedasaguaranteeofcontinuityofbenefitsorrights.Nopermanentemploymentoremploymentforanytermisintendedorcanbeimpliedfromanystatementsinthismanual.
TheTownofBattleGround100CollegeStreet,BattleGround,Indiana47920March10,2008
TableofContentsIntroductiontoTheTownofBattleGroundContinuityofPolicies-RighttoChangeorDiscontinueEqualOpportunityPolicyRecruitmentEmployeeSelectionandDevelopmentSexualHarassmentIllegalDrugAbuse/AlcoholAbuseSmokingEmploymentClassificationsEmployeeSafetyReturntoWorkAfterSeriousInjuryorIllnessPerformanceImprovementTerminationGrievanceProcedureEmploymentDisputes
CompensationEqualPayJobDescriptionsWorkdayPaydayOvertimeCompensationPerformanceReviewSalaryAdministrationPayrollDeductionsEmployeeBenefitsInsurancePERFVacationHolidaysSickDaysLeaveofAbsenceBereavementLeaveJuryDutyEmployee-IncurredExpensesandReimbursementTravelReimbursementConferencesandMeetingsRequiredManagementApprovalMiscellaneousPoliciesConfidentialityofCompanyInformationConfidentialityofCompanyInformationE-MailEmployeePrivacyTelephone
SeeAlso:
NepotismandContractingCreditCardsAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct(ADA):AccessibilityGuidelines,CoordinatorandProcedures,ADAPlan
Introductiontothe
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.
EqualOpportunityPolicy
TheTownofBattleGroundisanEqualOpportunityemployer.
Noemployeeofthetownwilldiscriminateagainstanapplicantforemploymentorafellowemployeebecauseofrace,creed,color,religion,sex,nationalorigin,ancestry,ageoranyphysicalormentaldisability.Noemployeeofthetownwilldiscriminateagainstanyapplicantorfellowemployeebecauseoftheperson'sveteranstatus.
Thispolicyappliestoallemploymentpracticesandpersonnelactionsincludingadvertising,recruitment,testing,screening,hiring,selectionfortraining,upgrading,transfer,demotion,layoff,termination,ratesofpayandotherformsofcompensationorovertime.
Recruitment
TheTownofBattleGround'spositionsmaybefilledbyeithertransferorpromotionofexistingemployeesorbynewemployeeswhoarerecruitedorapply.Recruitmentmaybeconductedthroughadvertising,employmentagencies,schools,employeereferralsortechnicalandtradereferrals.Council/director/supervisorsshouldconsiderthemostappropriatemethodofrecruitmentforfillingdepartmentalpositions.Allrecruitmentshallbeconductedinanethical,professionalandnon-discriminatorymanner.
TheTownofBattleGroundprovidesequalemploymentopportunitytoallapplicantsonthebasisofdemonstratedability,experienceandtraining.
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
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
• Director/supervisorsidentifiesspecificrolesandresponsibilitiesofemployeeonDay1• Director/supervisorsreviewsthetownhistoryandfacilitieswithin1stweekofemployment
Evaluation
givingconstructivefeedbackatvarioustimesduringtheemploymentrelationshipisthefinalstageoftheemploymentdevelopmentprocess.Newandexistingemployeeswillbeprovidedwithfeedbackatdifferenttimesduringtheyear.
Director/supervisorswillprovidethefollowing:
• Newemployeeswillbeprovidedperformanceevaluationcriteriabeforetheendofthe1stmonthof
employment• Quarterlyfeedbacksessionswithallemployees• Semiannualprofessionaldevelopmentreviewforallemployees• AnnualPerformanceReviewsforallemployees
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.
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.
Nothingcontainedinthissectionshalleliminateormodifythetown'srighttoterminateanyemployeeatanytimeforanyreason.
Smoking
Nosmokingwillbeallowedintheofficeareaatanytime.Thispolicyisforthehealthandsafetyofallemployees.
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.
EmployeeSafety
TheTownofBattleGroundstrivestoprovideitsemployeeswithasafeandhealthfulworkplaceenvironment.Toaccomplishthisgoal,bothmanagementandemployeesmustdiligentlyundertakeeffortstopromotesafety.
Alljob-relatedinjuriesorillnessesaretobereportedtoyourdirector/supervisorsimmediately,regardlessofseverity.Inthecaseofseriousinjury,anemployee'sreportingobligationwillbedeferreduntilcircumstancesreasonablypermitareporttobemade.Failuretoreportaninjuryorillnessmayprecludeordelaythepaymentofanybenefitstotheemployeeandcouldsubjectthetowntofinesandpenalties.
ReturntoWorkAfterSeriousInjuryorIllness
Asajointprotectiontotheemployeeandthetown,employeeswhohavebeenabsentfromworkbecauseofseriousillnessorinjuryarerequiredtoobtainadoctor'sreleasespecificallystatingthattheemployeeiscapableofperforminghisorhernormaldutiesorassignments.Aseriousinjuryorillnessisdefinedasonethatresultsintheemployeebeingabsentfromworkformorethantwo(2)consecutiveweeksoronewhichmaylimittheemployee'sfutureperformanceofregulardutiesorassignments.(AlsoseeMedical/FamilyLeavepolicy.)
Thedirector/supervisorsshallensurethatemployeeswhoreturntoworkafteraseriousinjuryorillnessarephysicallycapableofperformingtheirdutiesorassignmentswithoutriskofre-injuryorrelapse.
Ifthecauseoftheemployee'sillnessorinjurywasjob-related,theemployee'sdirector/supervisorswillmakeeveryreasonableefforttoassignthereturningemployeetoassignmentsconsistentwiththeinstructionsoftheemployee'sdoctoruntiltheemployeeisfullyrecovered.Adoctor'swrittenreleaseisrequiredbeforerecoverycanbeassumed.
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;
• 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;
• 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.
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
severancepaywillbeallowed.
TerminationProcessingProcedures
thedirector/supervisorsmustimmediatelynotifythemanagementteamoftheterminationsothataterminationchecklistcanbeinitiated.Themanagementteamwillapproveanddirecttheterminationprocedure.
Onthefinaldayofemployment,thedirector/supervisorsmustreceiveallkeysandtownpropertyfromtheemployee.
Thedirector/supervisorsmayconductanexitinterviewwiththeemployee.
Theemployeewillpickuphisorherfinalpayrollwhichincludesallearnedpayandanyexpensesduetheemployee.
GrievanceProcedure
TheTownofBattleGroundrecognizesthevalueofagrievanceprocedurethatprovidesforthetimelyreviewofemployeegrievancesinafairyetworkablemanner.Agrievanceisconsideredtobeanydisputebetweenanemployeeandthetownwhichimpactsonanemployee'sabilitytoperformhisorherjob.
Althoughpurelypersonalmattersbetweenemployeeswouldnotordinarilygiverisetoagrievancesubjecttothisgrievanceprocedure,anymatterthatadverselyaffectsanemployee'sabilitytoperformhisorherjobcouldbethesubjectofagrievance.Usegoodindividualjudgmentandcommonsenseasyourguide.
Anemployeemayexpressaverbalgrievancetohisorherimmediatedirector/supervisors.Iftheconcernisnotresolvedtotheemployee'ssatisfactionwithinoneweek,theemployeemayputinwritingthedetailsofhisorhergrievanceandsubmitthegrievancetothetowncouncil.
Theproblemwillbediscussedinthepresenceoftheemployeeanddirector/supervisors.
Thedecisionwillbereducedtowriting,acopygiventotheemployeeanddirector/supervisors,withtheoriginalkeptintheemployeesfileintheclerk'soffice.
EmploymentDisputes
AnydisputeorclaimthatarisesoutoforthatrelatestoemploymentwiththeTownofBattleGroundorthatarisesoutoforthatisbasedontheemploymentrelationship(includinganywageclaim,anyclaimforwrongfulterminationoranyclaimbasedonanyemploymentdiscriminationorcivilrightsstatute,regulationorlaw),includingtortorharassmentclaims(exceptatortthatisa"compensableinjury"underworkers'compensationlaw),shallberesolvedbyarbitrationinaccordancewiththetheneffectivecommercialarbitrationrulesoftheAmericanArbitrationAssociationbyfilingaclaiminaccordancewiththeAssociation'sfilingrules,andjudgmentontheawardrenderedpursuanttosucharbitrationmaybeenteredinanycourthavingjurisdictionthereof.
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
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
automaticnorperiodic.Theyarereservedforemployeeswhoshowskillsimprovementandhigherthanaverageperformance.Informationaboutratesofpayandmeritincreasesinpay,ifany,aredeemedtobeconfidentialmattersbetweenthetownandeachemployeeandarenottobediscussedamongemployees.
SalaryAdministration
Itisacouncilpolicytoawardannualmeritincreasestoemployeesfortheirdedicationtothetownbasedontheirskills,improvementandoutstandingperformance.Everyemployeeiseligibleforameritincrease.Howevermeritincreasesarenotautomatic.Followingtheemployee'sperformancereview,thedirector/supervisorwillranktheemployee'sperformanceaccordingtohisorherrelativelevelofcontributiontothetown.Factorswillinclude,withoutlimitation,howwelltheemployeehasmettheobjectivesagreeduponinthelastreview.Employeeswillberankedas:
1. Outstanding2. VeryGood3. Good4. Marginal5. Unsatisfactory
Thedirector/supervisorwillforwardameritincreaserecommendationwiththeappraisaltothetowncouncilforfinalapproval.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Theymaycorrectinaccuratefactualinformationorsubmitwrittencommentsindisagreementwithanymaterialcontainedintheirtownrecords.
Telephone
Personalcallsofshortdurationmaybereceivedandmadeatyourdeskorworkstation.Personaltelephonecallprivilegesaresubjecttochangeorterminationatanytime.Forinstance,ifthecompanytelephonelinesbecomeoverloadedwithcallsoranemployeeisfoundspendingmorethanjustlimitedtimeonpersonalcalls,thisprivilegewillberevokedeithergenerallyorspecificallyastotheoffendingemployee.