Brookhaven aldermen Tuesday moved closer to approving a new cityemployee handbook after simplifying workers’ leave policy andmaking some other modifications in the proposal.

During Tuesday’s work session, the board approved five personaldays a year for employees to use for illness, funerals or otherreasons. Previous policy proposals had included separate entriesfor sick leave and funerals.

“They can use it for whatever they want to use it for,” CityAttorney Joe Fernald said of the leave time.

Previous work session discussions included questions about whatfamily members would qualify for use of funeral leave time. Also,officials alluded to the possibility of employees calling in sick -although they may not actually be ill – late in the year in orderto avoid losing the time that does not carry over to the nextyear.

“This could prevent that,” said Mayor Bob Massengill during theleave time discussion.

Alderman at large Les Bumgarner suggested the five personal daysper year.

The time could be carried over from year to year up to a maximumof 60 days that could be taken as time off. Any unused leave time,including accumulated days over 60, could be applied toward theemployee’s service time for retirement purposes.

With city firefighters working in shifts of 24 hours, aldermendetermined that a week for that department is 56 hours. Aldermensaid personal time for employees in that department will accruebased on that total.

In other handbook happenings, the board approved a modificationin the policy regarding employees and accidents.

After one accident determined to be the employee’s fault, theemployee will be required to take a defensive driving course. Aftera second accident within a two-year period, the employee will besuspended for a month while the board decides whether to terminatebased on the severity of the accident.

“I think we need to have some latitude,” said Massengill,mentioning the differences between hitting a light pole and hittinganother vehicle and possibly injuring someone.

The board approved Bumgarner’s suggestion that emergencypersonnel, such as police and firefighters, be evaluated and dealtwith on an individual basis due to the nature of their jobs. Thatprovision would only apply to emergency situations.

Ward Two Alderman Terry Bates objected to the distinction. Hesaid the policy language covers all city employees.

“You don’t have to show that (distinction) in writing,” Batessaid.

Also Tuesday, aldermen said employees may be terminated aftertwo days if they fail to show up for work and do not contact theirsupervisor. The time period had been three days.

“How is a department head supposed to run his department if hedoesn’t know who’s coming to work?” Ward Four Alderwoman ShirleyEstes asked rhetorically.

Officials have been working on the new handbook for severalyears. Massengill applauded aldermen for their action towardfinalizing a new policy.

“I’m real pleased we took these final sections and dealt withthem,” the mayor said.

Massengill said officials hope to have the new employee handbookready to take effect in January, replacing the 1986 handbook.Officials acknowledged the new version may need to be reviewed inthe future.

“With any document, there’s room for improvement,” Massengillsaid. “We’ll just improve it as time goes on.”