12-19-2007
Wed 12/19/2007 10-11am
Road to Zanzibar in Crosby
Minutes
Attendees: Mike Tobin, Robin Guevera, Linda Grigsby, Georgia Dunham, William Gibson, Connie Hickman, Janelle Axtel, Sandra Boyd, Marcia Bertholf, Kim Geiber, Bill Kostelec, Tim Woodard, Angela Ruff.
Guest: John Bogar
1. CARES initiative
Comp Committee and Community Service representatives joined the meeting to discuss an opportunity for a possible proposal. Invited guest, John Bogar, shared his story of being hospitalized earlier this year for a pace-maker and what would have been a routine surgery that instead resulted in John being in a coma due to a staph infection throughout his system, including his brain. HR guidance to wait on filing for flex plan and disability meant was further impacted by challenges in managing the health care issues which left John with nearly no income despite working. Because he had to use all of his vacation and sick leave time, he often came to work when he felt too ill to be here. There were also significant financial implications for the university because some of the medical care issues weren’t handled appropriately. John hadn’t ever dealt with FMLA and so wasn’t knowledgeable about that process. His doctor suggested it and helped with the form.
John’s suggestions:
- easy access to release confidentiality
- assistance in making sure that paperwork for medical leave and disability is taken care of accurately and timely
- ability for community to donate vacation time to cover until disability kicks in, rather than the 90-day limit
- a resource for understanding medical treatment for significant issues
- some way of communicating catastrophes to the community in a way that would invite help if/when needed
There are other scenarios where people need to use sick leave and don’t have an opportunity to bank up this resource.
The peer advisor group may be a good resource as advocates in special need situations. Safety reps in each building might be another resource. Sandra found some information online as to what other schools do which could be used to determine a good model.
Sick leave is listed as a benefit in the annual compensation letter, but it’s not owned by the employee so it shouldn’t be reflected when allocated, only when utilized.
Payroll often notifies HR when someone is out sick for any length of time due to looking for the Leave of Absence form, which is supposed to be provided by the supervisor. The role of a supervisor or some other resource in a department for clearly understanding the policies and procedures is needed.
2. Growth Plan Survey Responses
Marcia distributed current results from the online survey. Task force meant last month, which was mostly faculty. There is mixed support and concern. The focus for us is that Staff Assembly is at the table to assist in the process of moving forward on the plan, not to press on whether there will be growth.
Action Items
12/19 Janelle calling together the Community Service Committee and Compensation Committee will meet to outline ideas for a possible proposal. William, John, and Tim offered to help. Compensation Committee will research the options for sick leave donation. Marcia will send information gathered previously by Shelly. 12/19 Angela post link to results of online growth plan survey on Blackboard.
12/19 Bill and Marcia will develop a statement reflecting the results of the growth plan surveys.
12/19 Georgia will talk with Debbie Cerenzia regarding sick leave.
