Commissioners discuss employee vacation days

How many days of vacation should a Madison County employee be able to carry from one year to the next?

County commissioners discussed the issue last Thursday and will talk about the matter again when they meet Monday at 6:30 p.m. in the county government complex.

County human resources director Donna Sisk appeared before the BOC Thursday to ask for clarification on how many hours of vacation time employees can accumulate.

In years past, employees had no limit on hours accrued, but the BOC voted four years ago to set a cap on hours accrued at 240. Those with more than 240 hours (or 30 eight-hour work days) of vacation time were told that they had to use up any hours in excess of 240 or lose them by the end of 2012.

Sisk asked commissioners whether they planned to enforce that policy, adding that employees with more than 240 hours want to know if they will actually lose the excess time at the end of the year.

The BOC didn’t vote on the matter Thursday. They discussed several potential options, including sticking with the end of the year as the date for all excess vacation to be used, extending the deadline for all excess vacation to be used by August of next year or cutting a check to employees at the end of the year for any hours in excess of 240.

Comments

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#1 Anonymous on 09/24/12 at 02:15 PM [Reply]

Use them or lose them?
A large accumulation could be a bit cumberson if an employee quits or is fired. But a boon if an employee has a serious injury or illness and runs out of sick leave.
Let's hope the commission acts with responsibility and good sense when making their decision

#2 Anonymous on 09/24/12 at 02:36 PM [Reply]

Why not increase the amount that can be carried over to 360 hrs and anything over that pay the employees for the time? it gives a cushion little bit larger cushion for any serious illness and injury, and allows employees to get a little bit of money just in time for Christmas. Or does that seem like too much of a compromise?

#2.1 Anonymous on 09/25/12 at 07:52 PM [Reply]

I like that idea!

#3 anon on 09/24/12 at 06:01 PM [Reply]

240 hrs. that is only 10 days to a 24 hr. employee !

#4 Anonymous on 09/24/12 at 09:20 PM [Reply]

why not just give one to two weeks vacation time and a few sick days every year.Use them within that year or lose them, like the vast majority of private employers do. Government being run like government is what is wrong with government

#4.1 Ms.K on 09/27/12 at 02:33 PM [Reply]

Agreed! Use it or lose it. There's a reason for off time; it it supposed to replenish a worker's outlook for a happier and more productive worker. Personal leave pay is reasonable to an extent, but should not be carried over at all, ever.

#5 Ben Had on 09/25/12 at 04:57 AM [Reply]

Should employees be able to carry vacation time from one year to the next? No. That would be unheard of in the private sector.
Use it or lose it.
Wouldn't the loss of production for an over-extended or unpredictable amount of time create hardships for other employees in the department? If not,that's probably a sign the commissioners/department mgrs should look at reducing personnel and expect increased production from those remaining.
Business 101 kinda stuff.

#5.1 Ms.K on 09/27/12 at 02:38 PM [Reply]

Well said. There is the issue of the burden to other employees.

#6 anonymous on 09/25/12 at 06:47 PM [Reply]

What was decided about Michelle Strickland's request for a part time position being changed to a full time position? With the board requesting every department trim their budget, I can't imagine this getting approved.

#6.1 another anon on 09/28/12 at 02:56 PM [Reply]

Let Michelle Strickland do the work to show appreciation of the Madison County taxpayers whose taxes supports her.

#7 anon on 09/26/12 at 06:46 AM [Reply]

To a 24 hr employee that is only 10 days a year too !
The whole time accrued is very messed up and needs fixing !

#8 Anonymous on 09/26/12 at 03:09 PM [Reply]

It should be set up just like the military you have 6 months after the year ends to use the days of leave or you can take a payout of 50% of what you would have made for the days off.

#8.1 Ms.K on 09/27/12 at 02:36 PM [Reply]

This seems a very reasonable compromise; I'd like to see this implemented.

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Commissioners discuss employee vacation days

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Commissioners discuss employee vacation days

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