Laserfiche WebLink
COUNCIL B~INESS <br /> <br />Case ~1: Reauest Of Mr. Daryl Saatho£f For Leave Of Absence: <br /> <br />Mayor Reimann stated that Mr. Saathoff is requesting a 90 day leave of <br />absence to pursue another career and would like the option to return to the <br />City's employ in the same position he currently holds. <br /> <br />Mr. Hartley noted Public Works Superintendent Mevissen's memo dated April <br />30, 1987 regarding the request for leave. <br /> <br />Mayor Reimann stated that the Personnel Committee did not discuss how <br />matters of sick leave, insurance benefits, etc., would be handled if the <br />leave were granted. The Personnel Committee did discuss the possibility of <br />eliminating job titles in the Public Works Department to encourage training <br />all employees of that department to operate all of the department's <br />equipment and carry out all of the department's duties. Mayor Reimann <br />stated that it isn't fair to other members of the department when heavy and <br />light equipment operators are paid those rates while performing general <br />department duties not involving operation of those types of equipment. <br /> <br />Councilmember Cox stated that Mr. Saathoff has been a good employee but <br />Council is concerned with setting a precedence. The request also comes at <br />a bad time; Mr. Saathoff is a key member of the Public Works Department and <br />this is a busy time of year for that department. <br /> <br />Finance Officer Graczyk ~cm~ to explain the procedures for dealing with <br />employee benefits while on leave. There are 3 main benefits provided: <br />health insurance, life insurance and the option to purchase additional life <br />insurance for self and dependents. There are two kinds of leaves: medical <br />and employee discretionary. After researching the policy used in Hennepin <br />County, the following information was gathered. If it is a chosen leave, <br />the employer normally does not provide insurance coverage but allows the <br />employee to continue to purchase it at the group rate. If it is a medical <br />leave, employers normally provide the employee with medical and life <br />insurance and allow the employee the option to continue to purchase same <br />for his/her dependents at group rates. Vacation and sick time accrual are <br />based on actual hours worked, for which leave of absence time would not <br />qualify. The employer may also consider requiring the employee to use up <br />accrued vacation and comp time prior to commencing the leave of absence; <br />use of accrued sick time may also be required if the leave is for medical <br />reasons. <br /> <br />Mr. Saathoff stated that he is proposing to freeze his banked vacation and <br />comp time and pay his own insurance benefits. <br /> <br />Councilmember DeLuca that he is really concerned that approving the leave <br />will set a precedence. Councilmember DeLuca stated that he doesn't know of <br />any business that will give a leave of absence for the purpose of seeking <br />other employment. In reviewing this request, Council should determine <br />whether or not it can afford the same consideration be given to every other <br />employee making a similar request. <br /> <br />City Council/May 5, 1987 <br /> <br />Page 3 of 7 <br /> <br /> <br />