Shared Leave Policy will Provide for Town Employees Experiencing a Serious Medical Situation

In October of 2008, the Cary chapter started serious discussion with Town of Cary Council members about the feasibility of developing a shared leave policy for town employees. Many local governments throughout North Carolina offer shared leave policies that allow employees to contribute vacation or sick leave hours to a fellow employee who has exhausted their leave due to a serious medical condition. State employees also have access to this type of program. A shared leave program is especially beneficial for newer employees who are not eligible for sick leave in their first year for FMLA benefits. Employees who have to care for a child or spouse experiencing a serious medical situation can also benefit from a shared leave program. A short term disability benefit in situations where the employee has exhausted their leave is limited to the employee and doesn’t apply to a child or spouse.

The Cary chapter compiled policies and specific examples of employees experiencing hardship who could benefit through a shared leave program. Chapter members then met with council members to present the information in individual meetings and through the PBA interview and endorsement process. On August 13, 2009, the Cary chapter saw the shared leave program move forward during the regular Cary Town council meeting. During the council meeting, a motion was made by Council member Don Frantz to direct staff to research the issue. The motion passed by a 6-1 vote. On May 3, 2010, a shared leave policy moved through the operations committee as a consent agenda item for the May 13, 2010, council meeting. The policy as written was of concern to the Cary chapter membership. The policy only allowed an employee the opportunity to use 160 hours during their entire career as a town employee. The policy was also not in line with other policies throughout the state. The Cary chapter expressed these concerns to several council members with a recommendation to increase the hours to 480.

Jennifer and Don with Cary Chapter members

On May 13, 2010, during discussion on the shared sick leave, Council member Don Frantz made a motion to increase the hours to 480. Council member Gale Adcock seconded the motion. After discussion on the issue the motion failed to pass. Council member Gale Adcock moved to approve the staff report as written and send it back to staff and the Operations committee to look at the fiscal impact of increasing the 160 hour minimum. This motion passed. On July 1, 2010, a revision was presented to the Operations Committee by staff to increase the shared leave hours to 240. The new policy proposal passed unanimously through the committee as a consent agenda item. On July 15, 2010, the shared leave policy was pulled from consent for discussion. After further discussion, the policy passed by a 6-1 vote with the 240 hour increase. Throughout the discussion on the shared leave policy, three council members demonstrated their steadfast support for the policy implementation and the hours increase. These council members were also available for discussion on the issue. On August 2, 2010, the Cary chapter presented plaques of appreciation to Council members Don Frantz and Jennifer Robinson at a dinner in Cary. On August 11, 2010, the chapter also presented a plaque to Council member Gale Adcock at a luncheon in Cary. The Cary chapter is looking forward to the working with these council members on future issues.

Gale with Cary Chapter Members