Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, July 27, 1995 TAG: 9507270054
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PULASKI LENGTH: Medium
The additional policies cover a variety of areas ranging from neatness in personal appearance at work, to issuing employee identification cards and avoiding excessive use of colognes or perfumes that might distract co-workers.
But, after the controversy that a recent policy governing speech and nonverbal communication generated among civil liberties groups, the Human Resources Committee agreed Thursday to take its time studying any additional policies before recommending them to council.
The committee "has not talked about the personnel policies at all," Chairman Roy D'Ardenne said. "We have been given these to just review."
Behavior such as profanity and failure to follow the instructions of a supervisor also is addressed.
Assistant Town Manager Rob Lyons said the town obtained a model outlining the various policies. Town Attorney Frank Terwilliger has adapted them to town requirements and department chiefs are reviewing them.
The next step is for the Human Resources Committee to study them and decide whether to recommend them to council.
The committee considered trying to get the policies before council by Aug. 15, but members decided Thursday that speed is not that urgent.
"Let's give everybody time with them. Let's get them read," said Vice Mayor W.H. "Rocky" Schrader.
Other new policies recommended by the committee and adopted by council include one on sexual harassment and the one governing topics of conversation by employees on the job. Employees are to avoid discussing politics, religion and social issues, and should not wear buttons or display posters or photos that could be offensive to other employees or the public.
Civil liberties groups say the policy goes too far.
In other business, the committee will recommend to council Tuesday the creation of the master police officer category. It also is recommending that the program be communicated to other supervisors to see if they want to inaugurate master categories in their departments as well.
Police Chief Herb Cooley had suggested it for the Police Department as a way of recognizing superior work by officers. The designation would not necessarily mean a salary increase, although increases now are more likely than before because the town is overhauling its employment grades.
Pulaski had 30 grades covering 50 jobs, and has reduced those to 14 grades with wider salary ranges.
The committee also agreed to recommend rating the town's new economic development director position at a rank equal to that of town parks and recreation director, and one grade below other department heads such as police and fire chiefs and town engineer.
Council recently hired Barry Matherly for the position, effective in August.
Another recommendation will be raising the position of town clerk by one grade.
by CNB