Lake County Council addresses HR handbook, part-time salary ordinance
Lake County Council adopted an ordinance that amended Ordinance 1356C, the 2013 edition of their employee handbook at their meeting on Feb. 11.
Joining the meeting remotely, councilman Randy Niemeyer asked county human resources director Joe Travis whether or not county employees have access to the handbook. Travis explained there are a few older copies circulating which may have some ordinances that are outdated, but his office sends out a link to the current handbook library to ensure they have the most current copy available.
In addition to being made available to the departments, the link is also sent to a new employee when they begin employment with the county, Travis said. Upon Niemeyer’s request for clarification, Travis verified there is an acknowledgment of receipt of the handbook the employee must sign.
Councilman Ted Bilski explained due to an issue approximately 20 years ago with employees saying they didn’t receive the handbook, the procedure of signing the acknowledgment on the back page was implemented and would subsequently be added to their employment record.
Niemeyer also asked whether or not any clarifications in regards to tardiness for both salaried and non-salaried employees have been made in the new edition of the handbook.
“Everyone can be held to attendance standards, whether they’re salaried exempt or not,” Travis said.
Bilski asked Niemeyer if there was a problem, as he wanted any issue resolved prior to vote. Niemeyer told council he discussed the issue of the handbook’s “lack of clarity” at the council’s study session.
“The ambiguity could be misinterpreted if there’s ever an employment challenge,” Niemeyer said, “as to categorization of employees, how time is managed, how tardiness is dealt with, how people are paid.”
The first reading of the ordinance passed 6-1, with Niemeyer casting the lone dissenting vote.
After approving suspending the meeting rules to allow for the second reading of the ordinance prior to adoption, Niemeyer spoke again about a human resources issue regarding Jessica Messler, the new assistant director for the Lake County Board of Elections and Registration.
Niemeyer said Messler was of the understanding she would be working part-time at the position at 29 hours per week, but has putting in full time hours since she came aboard at the beginning of the month. He said there has been no clarity on what the part-time rate is or the amount of hours for which Messler is being paid.
Bilski said he was “just hearing about this” issue, but he noted the guidelines would come from the Wages and Fair Labor Standards Act.
“If we supersede and supplant our policy of 30 hours per week,” Bilski explained, “then that person should have full-time benefits paid on their behalf. No ifs, ands or buts about it.”
Council president Christine Cid said it depends on how the employee is classified, and council would have to determine what the rate should be. Council attorney Tom O’Donnell asked point blank why Messler wasn’t in the line item for the assistant director.
“She’s on the payroll,” Cid said.
Niemeyer said he was open to discussing the matter further at the next meeting when he can attend in person.
The motion to adopt the ordinance passed 7-0.
Council also amended the part-time employment pay rate ordinance so Hobart Township Assessor Lino Maggio can hire additional personnel to complete appraisals.
“In order for Lino to get people hired,” Bilski said, “we’ve got to increase (wages).”
Bilski plans to start meeting with the township assessors on a biannual basis to discuss “pre and post-budget times and come up with these ideas and some of the issues.” He hopes the meetings will produce some solutions.
“It’s not just Lino who’s having a hard time finding people to do the appraisals,” Bilski said. “It’s across the board.”
Motion to amend the ordinance passed unanimously.
Bilski also noted Lake County is experiencing difficulty in hiring 9/11 dispatchers and correctional officers. He encourages those who may be interested in the positions to apply.
“Every time I stop somewhere, I hear someone complaining that they don’t have a job,” Bilski said. “If you really want to work, come work for us.”