Agenda - Council - 05/13/1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I I I I ,! I I I I I I I I I I I I I RECEIVE AND REVIEW DRAFT POLICY ON TRAINING AND TUITION REIMBURSEMENT By: Linda Waite Smith, Administrative Services Manager Background: In June of 1995, the City Council approved a policy on Training and Tuition Reimbursement for City employees. A copy is attached to this case. During my tenure at the City, it has been virtually impossible for employees to actually receive reimbursement because the procedures require lengthy advance notice for approval and for budgeting. There has been concern on the part of some managers that the City will be inundated with requests for reimbursement and department budgets will be adversely impacted. In an attempt to respond to the concerns of employees and managers, I have drafted a revised policy which is attached for consideration and discussion. Training: The City has a vested interest in providing training to ensure that all employees have adequate, current qualifications to perform their jobs. The City budgets a significant amount for this purpose and retains records of training received at City expense. Training statistics are reported to the State Department of Human Rights twice each year by the Administrative Services Manager. Tuition Reimbursement: Some City employees also continue their education at post secondary institutions. This education may or may not be a benefit to the City. The City has no obligation to fund any part of this education, but it may be in the City's interest to offer assistance in cases where the education is related to the employee's position responsibilities and is deemed to benefit the City as an employer. If the City makes a commitment to offer assistance, there must be some limitation for budgeting purposes. There must also be understandable procedures for employees to accesss that assistance. Proposed Policy: The budget limitation can be accomplished by requiring tuition reimbursement to come from the employee's department's training and education budget allocation. Further limitations can also be imposed: - limit reimbursement eligible expenses to 50% of the cost of tuition and laboratory fees (books, entrance fees, etc. would not be eligble); - limit reimbursement rates to those charged by the Minnesota State University system; - limit the number of credit hours eligible for reimbursement to twelve per year;