City officials are moving forward with plans to update personnel policies in hopes of furthering retention and recruitment.
Columbus City Council has approved the second reading of an ordinance to adopt new policies regarding Faithful Service pay and vacation time. The changes will go into effect on Jan. 1.
According to human resources director Arlette Cooper-Tinsley, the proposed policies apply to full-time civilian employees, with the exception of elected officials.
Under the updated Faithful Service pay policy, such employees, provided there is not an interruption in their service, will receive a one-time payment in the pay period that includes their work anniversary date on qualifying years.
The awards are as follows: $500 for five years, $1,000 for 10 years, $1,500 for 15 years, $2,000 for $20 years and $2,500 for 25 years. Employees who have served the city for 32 years without interruption will be paid an annual additional Faithful Service pay of $1,200.
Additionally, under the new ordinance, city departments will be able to offer more vacation time starting balance to “newly hired mid-career employees and/or former employees returning to city employment.”
However, enhanced vacation time will not be automatic; department heads will have discretion over whether or not to initiate an offer. Such offers will also require written approval from human resources and documentation in writing when the employee is hired. The offer cannot be made retroactively after the individual has already begun working for the city.
Furthermore, the city will not award current employees additional vacation time or provide retroactive Faithful Service pay for previous anniversaries, as the new policies are meant to further “forward-looking retention and recruitment.”
