Title
Discussion of issues relating to the update of the Discipline and Appeals sections of the Personnel Manual.
Body
Summary:
Prior to the May 4, 2019 City Charter Election, Article V, Sec. 5.14 of the City Charter provided that terminated city employees had the right to appeal their discharge by filing a written notice and request for reinstatement within fourteen (14) days after the date of discharge, with said appeal to be heard by an arbitration committee, comprised of three resident qualified voters in Deer Park. The decision of the arbitration committee was final and binding.
The May 4, 2019 City Charter Proposition E was approved by Deer Park voters wherein Article V, Section 5.14 of Deer Park City Charter was amended to remove the aforementioned employee appeal process involving arbitration for terminated employees and stating the employee appeal process will be included in the Employee Personnel Manual.
Subsequent to the Charter election, an Employee Appeals Policy was added to the City’s Administrative Policy Manual, which affords City employees the right to appeal suspensions, demotions, and dismissals. Any appeal would be heard by the City Manager and the City Manager’s decision is final and binding. This was an interim step until such time that the Personnel Manual could be updated.
It is proposed that the Personnel Manual be amended to update the section of the Manual regarding discipline and to provide for employee appeals of s suspensions, demotions, and dismissals. In order to amend the Personnel Manual a resolution must be approved by City Council. A proposed resolution, which contains the proposed updated discipline and Appeal policy, is scheduled to be on the December 17, 2019 Regular Council Meeting agenda.
Fiscal/Budgetary Impact:
n/a
Recommended action
Discussion only during workshop.