Agenda Packets - 1999/03/22 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MAR, :10' 99(WED) 10:06 DISC SYSTEMS TEL:612 782 7500 P. 002 The confusion over the policy covering Chief Ramacher's accrued leave appears to be at the convenience of the City Council. The Police Chief is required to be a licensed police officer, like others in the Police Department. It is a bona fide occupational requirement. As such, he should be treated in accordance with other employees required to be licensed police officers in order to carry out their occupational responsibilities. In the absence of a written policy changing the perception of the implied treatment of licensed police officers regarding payment of accrued sick leave, it is grossly unfair to impose rules of convenience now that it is time to pay up. Realistically, if an employer permits licensed Police Department employees to accrue paid days for sick leave, it should consider such benefits as part of the licensed Police Department employee's pay that should be paid out upon separation. Again, the city cannot apply requirements such as licensing consistently to police positions only to turn around and apply inconsistent treatment of benefits provided to licensed police positions. Further, if the city determines it wishes to establish a new policy, it should compensate existing licensed Police Department employees for accrued, but unused sick leave at the time the new policy is established. The current pending action of not paying is punitive against Chief Ramacher. Further, the turmoil in the city over this issue creates a recruitment issue in finding a replacement for Chief Ramacher. The perception that the City Council does not provide a fair and equitable work environment makes attracting qualified and interested candidates extremely difficult, if not impossible. Given the choice of a chaotic, unfair work environment or a fair, ethical work environment, it wouldn't be hard for a top-notch candidate to make the right selection. The city will lose out every time. Now, we get to the treatment of older workers. Older workers are more likely to have accumulated significant sick leave because they have dedicated their talents to an organization for a longer period of time. This is certainly the case with Police Chief Ramacher. Punishing older workers for upholding their responsibilities is discriminatory and cruel at best. Does the City Council of Mounds View really want to send an anti-employee message? Have the extended costs of making a bad faith, penalizing decision really been considered? It does not appear so. I urge you to acknowledge and approve the understood agreement regarding accrued sick time as provided for Police Department employees by voting to compensate Police Chief Tim Ramacher at the rate of 65% of the accrued hours.