HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-06-17 I01K Bereavement Leave Policy ExpansionAGENDA ITEM:
CITY OF WAUKEE, IOWA
CITY COUNCIL MEETING COMMUNICATION
MEETING DATE: June 17, 2024
AGENDA ITEM:Consideration of approval of a resolution approving expansion of the
Bereavement Leave policy.
FORMAT:Resolution
SYNOPSIS INCLUDING PRO & CON: In continuing to offer low cost, high impact benefits, the
Human Resources Director, and City Administrator along with input from the Employee Engagement
Advisory Committee propose expanding the existing bereavement leave policy for regular full-time,
full-time fire, regular part-time and part-time fire non-union employees. This is a proactive step toward
creating a compassionate and supportive work environment where employees feel valued, respected,
and cared for during times of loss.
FISCAL IMPACT INCLUDING COST/BENEFIT ANALYSIS:
COMMISSION/BOARD/COMMITTEE COMMENT:
STAFF REVIEW AND COMMENT: Staff recommends approval of the expanded Bereavement
Leave Policy.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve the resolution.
ATTACHMENTS: I.Proposed Resolution
II. Bereavement Leave Policy
PREPARED BY:Michelle Lindsay
REVIEWED BY:
.
I1K
THE CITY OF WAUKEE, IOWA
RESOLUTION 2024-
APPROVAL OF EXPANDED BEREAVEMENT LEAVE POLICY
IN THE NAME AND BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF WAUKEE, IOWA
WHEREAS, the City of Waukee, Dallas County, State of Iowa, is a duly organized Municipal
Organization; AND,
WHEREAS, the City seeks to expand the existing Bereavement Leave policy for regular full
and part-time non-union employees and full and part-time fire employees; AND,
WHEREAS, the amount of paid bereavement leave will increase from three (3) days to five (5)
days and one (1) shift to two (2) shifts for regular full and part time non-union employees and
full and part time fire employees, respectively, for the death of a spouse, child, stepchild, parent,
stepparent, or the unplanned loss of an unborn child; AND,
WHEREAS, the definition of immediate family will be expanded to include uncle, aunt, niece,
and nephew allowing for one (1) day or one (1) shift of paid bereavement leave for regular full
and part time non-union employees and full and part time fire employees, respectively.
WHEREAS, this is a proactive step toward creating a compassionate and supportive work
environment where employees feel valued, respected, and cared for during times of loss.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City of Waukee City Council in session
this17th day of June 2024, that the City of Waukee expanded bereavement leave policy attached
hereto is hereby approved.
____________________________
Courtney Clarke, Mayor
Attest:
___________________________________
Rebecca D. Schuett, City Clerk
RESULTS OF VOTE: AYE NAY ABSENT ABSTAIN
R. Charles Bottenberg
Chris Crone
Rob Grove
Anna Bergman Pierce
Ben Sinclair
Family Bereavement Leave
Policy
Issue Date:
July 2024 Human
Resources
Page 1 of 1
Policy Owners:
HR/Directors
Approved by:
City Council 6/3/2024
General Policy
It is the policy of the City of Waukee to provide up to five (5) days of family bereavement leave for the death of an
immediate family member. The purpose of family bereavement leave is to enable the employee to prepare for and attend
the funeral of an immediate family member.
Eligibility
Eligible employees must meet the following criteria:
Be a non-union, regular full-time employee, OR
Be a non-union, regular part-time employee, with an established work week of twenty (20) hours or more (based
on their regularly scheduled work week hours.), OR
Be a full-time fire personnel, OR
Be a part-time fire personnel.
Amount of Paid Family Bereavement Leave
Eligible employees are allowed up to of five (5) days of paid family bereavement leave for the death of a spouse, child,
stepchild, parent, stepparent or the unplanned loss of an unborn child. Full-time Fire personnel working 24-hour shifts
may take up to two shifts off and part-time Fire personnel may take two shifts off, up to 24 hours, without loss of pay.
Eligible employees are allowed up to three (3) days of paid family bereavement leave for the death of a sibling,
grandparent, or grandchild of the employee or of the employee’s spouse, mother-in-law, father-in-law, brother-in-law,
sister-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law or for any other relative residing permanently with and dependent upon the
employee. Full-time Fire personnel working 24-hour shifts may take up to one shift off and part-time Fire personnel may
take one shift off, up to 12 hours, without loss of pay.
Eligible employees are allowed up to one (1) day of paid family bereavement leave for the death of an uncle, aunt, niece
or nephew. Full-time Fire personnel working 24-hour shifts may take up to one shift off and part-time Fire personnel may
take one shift off, up to 12 hours, without loss of pay.
Each day of paid family bereavement leave is compensated at 100 percent of the employee’s regular, straight-time pay.
Paid family bereavement leave will be paid on a biweekly basis on regularly scheduled pay dates.
Request for Paid Family Bereavement Leave
The employee will provide their supervisor and the Human Resources department with notice of the request for leave as
soon as possible. The employee must complete their timesheet by utilizing the bereavement leave pay code and notating
the relation of the immediate family member, i.e. grandparent, uncle etc. Employees may be required to provide
documentation as required by the Human Resources department to substantiate the request.
As is the case with all city policies, the organization has the exclusive right to interpret this policy. A fraudulent request
for paid family bereavement leave shall be grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including termination of
employment.