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Human Resources Manager Reed Kone explained the City has a Leave of Absence Policy that <br />states the City Council can grant an employee an unpaid leave of absence for 90 days or longer if <br />warranted. If a leave of absence is granted there would not be any paid leave accrued while they <br />are on the leave. There would also be no health insurance or life insurance contribution from the <br />City to the employee, and the employee would lose seniority. Any paid leave the employee has <br />on the books would need to be cashed out before they go on a leave of absence. This policy was <br />reviewed with all of the departments last year. One thing she explained to employees was that if <br />a department head were to recommend a leave of absence it would be recommended to Council <br />with the understanding that the employee would be brought back unless there were extenuating <br />circumstances. Mr. Moldenhauer is aware of the facts of the policy, and that he would not be an <br />employee during the time of the leave. There are risks for him in this and he is aware of that. <br />However, she would like to be clear with Council that staff would expect Mr. Moldenhauer to be <br />able to come back at the end of the eight weeks. <br />Chairperson Jeffrey stated he is in support of this policy. Offering the opportunity for skill <br />training is critical. However, he has a tough time understanding that the employee would lose <br />seniority. He questioned if it would technically be like a resignation for eight weeks. <br />Human Resources Manager Reed Kone explained Mr. Moldenhauer would lose the two months <br />he is on leave as time he has worked with the City; the time he has put in prior to that would still <br />count. <br />Chairperson Jeffrey stated he is in favor of the policy; it is a way to retain employees, and allows <br />staff to have professional development opportunities. He verified with Ms. Reed Kone that Mr. <br />Moldenhauer will not be required to apply for his job when he returns. <br />Councilmember Dehen questioned what the down side would be to the leave of absence. <br />Police Chief Way replied the down side is that Mr. Moldenhauer will be gone during the <br />summer. <br />Human Resources Manager Reed Kone explained there is not necessarily any problem. Council <br />approval is needed for the leave of absence with the understanding that Mr. Moldenhauer will be <br />returning in eight weeks and there will not be a recruitment process for his position. <br />Chairperson Jeffrey stated granting the leave is a retention measure that will keep Mr. <br />Moldenhauer employed by the City longer by allowing him to go to school and further his <br />career. He is in full favor of granting the leave, but at some point he would like to look at the <br />entire policy. <br />Councilmember Dehen inquired about situations where an individual that was not considered a <br />good employee wanted to take a leave of absence. <br />Human Resources Manager Reed Kone explained the request for a leave of absence would be <br />worked out at the department level. It would be the right of the department head to determine <br />Personnel Committee / May 8, 2007 <br />Page 2 of 6 <br />=11C <br />