Action 14.
Regular Board of Supervisors Meeting
Human Resources
- Meeting Date:
- 03/13/2012
- Title:
- HR Policies
- Submitted By:
- Katie Howard, Board of Supervisors
- Department:
- Board of Supervisors
Presentation:
PowerPoint
Recommendation:
Document Signatures:
# of ORIGINALS
Submitted for Signature:
Submitted for Signature:
NAME
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Mike Ortega; Julie Morales
TITLE
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
County Admin; HR Director
Mandated Function?:
Source of Mandate
or Basis for Support?:
or Basis for Support?:
Information
Agenda Item Text:
[ITEM TABLED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2012 MEETING]: Adopt Resolution 12-01 to approve a revised Cochise County Human Resources Policy Manual set forth in Exhibit A, rescind previously adopted Human Resources Policies listed in Exhibit B, and approve amendments to the Cochise County Merit System Rules thereby amending the policies listed in Exhibit C; all changes to be effective April 1, 2012.
Background:
County Administration, the County Attorney's Office and the Human Resources Director recommend that the Cochise County Board of Supervisors adopt the Human Resources Policy Manual (Exhibit A) rescind previously adopted Human Resources Policies listed in Exhibit B, and approve amendments to the Cochise County Merit System Rules thereby amending the policies listed in Exhibit C; all changes to be effective April 1, 2012.
The Cochise County Board of Supervisors has the authority to adopt Merit System Rules including policies outlining how personnel administration is addressed within County Government. These Rules and Policies have been adopted by the BOS; 1) as required by federal and state laws, 2) to outline employee benefits such as annual leave, sick leave and donated leave for catastropic illnesses, and 3) to provide clear and concise organizational policies for all employees.
Pursuant to ARS 11-351 the Merit System Rules are intended to apply only to "classified" County employees. There are several County personnel policies that have been included in the current Merit System Rules Supplemental Document that are not independent policies and apply to both classified and unclassified employees. What is before you for consideration is a separation of the Merit System Rules and Personnel Policies.
The BOS adopted the revised Merit System Rules Jan 5, 2010. At that time, the County Administrator suggested that the Merit System "Supplemental Document" containing most of the Personnel Policies would remain in effect until the policies could be reviewed and updated. Specifically, the idea was to separate the Merit Rules from the Policies.
The HR Policy Manual before you for consideration accomplishes both a separation of the Rules and Policies and includes an update of all included policies. The HR policies will apply to all employees.
Although the revision process has been underway for several years, it has been the last two years that have culminated in the document you have before you for consideration.
A small group of staff including representatives from County Administration, the County Attorney's Office and Human Resources worked to develop the updates. Those revisions and updates were then presented to the BOS September 27, 2011 in a work session. Subsequently, County Admin and HR staff presented the changes to the Department Directors, Elected Officials, and employees through a series of 8 roundtables. Feedback was received and has been addressed with some additional revisions.
There were several comments received and two seemed to be a common theme during the roundtables. Proposed policy changes to nepotism and resigning to run for paid political office seemed to get the most comments. As a result of the comments, the proposed language for these issues has been modified. With regard to nepotism, relatives can work in the same department, but cannot work for the same immediate supervisor or cannot have a family member in their chain of command. In the Political Activity section, he resign to run language (including taking a leave of absence) has been removed from the document. The County Administrator still feels strongly that some language like what was previously proposed should be included in the future, but it is not currently included in the document.
The HR Policy Manual before the BOS for consideration is consistent with previous direction from the BOS in emphasizing both Customer Service and Accountability. In addition, adoption of these Policies including updates to the Merit Rules are consistent with Cochise County's Strategic Plan.
The Cochise County Board of Supervisors has the authority to adopt Merit System Rules including policies outlining how personnel administration is addressed within County Government. These Rules and Policies have been adopted by the BOS; 1) as required by federal and state laws, 2) to outline employee benefits such as annual leave, sick leave and donated leave for catastropic illnesses, and 3) to provide clear and concise organizational policies for all employees.
Pursuant to ARS 11-351 the Merit System Rules are intended to apply only to "classified" County employees. There are several County personnel policies that have been included in the current Merit System Rules Supplemental Document that are not independent policies and apply to both classified and unclassified employees. What is before you for consideration is a separation of the Merit System Rules and Personnel Policies.
The BOS adopted the revised Merit System Rules Jan 5, 2010. At that time, the County Administrator suggested that the Merit System "Supplemental Document" containing most of the Personnel Policies would remain in effect until the policies could be reviewed and updated. Specifically, the idea was to separate the Merit Rules from the Policies.
The HR Policy Manual before you for consideration accomplishes both a separation of the Rules and Policies and includes an update of all included policies. The HR policies will apply to all employees.
Although the revision process has been underway for several years, it has been the last two years that have culminated in the document you have before you for consideration.
A small group of staff including representatives from County Administration, the County Attorney's Office and Human Resources worked to develop the updates. Those revisions and updates were then presented to the BOS September 27, 2011 in a work session. Subsequently, County Admin and HR staff presented the changes to the Department Directors, Elected Officials, and employees through a series of 8 roundtables. Feedback was received and has been addressed with some additional revisions.
There were several comments received and two seemed to be a common theme during the roundtables. Proposed policy changes to nepotism and resigning to run for paid political office seemed to get the most comments. As a result of the comments, the proposed language for these issues has been modified. With regard to nepotism, relatives can work in the same department, but cannot work for the same immediate supervisor or cannot have a family member in their chain of command. In the Political Activity section, he resign to run language (including taking a leave of absence) has been removed from the document. The County Administrator still feels strongly that some language like what was previously proposed should be included in the future, but it is not currently included in the document.
The HR Policy Manual before the BOS for consideration is consistent with previous direction from the BOS in emphasizing both Customer Service and Accountability. In addition, adoption of these Policies including updates to the Merit Rules are consistent with Cochise County's Strategic Plan.
Department's Next Steps (if approved):
Human Resources will disseminate the revised and adopted Merit System Rules and the County Human Resources Policy Manual to employees. Human Resources will provide training to the entire County workforce on the revised and adopted Merit System Rules and the Human Resources Policy Manual.
Impact of NOT Approving/Alternatives:
The revised Merit System Rules approved by the Board of Supervisors on January 1, 2010, the Merit System Rules supplemental document and any approved personnel policy resolutions will remain in effect.
To BOS Staff: Document Disposition/Follow-Up:
Record signed Resolution, with all Exhibits attached.
Fiscal Impact
Attachments
- EXHIBIT A_3.12.12 FINAL HR POLICY MANUAL_WITH TRACK CHANGES ACCEPTED
- Exhibit B_HR Policies Replaced or Not Applicable
- Exhibit C_Merit Rule Corrections - 3.13.12
- resolution 12-01
- BOS Consideration - Policy Revisions 3 13 12 PPT