After several years of development, a new city employee handbookis close to being approved by the mayor and board of aldermen.Officials hope to OK the document later this month, distribute itto employees and have it take effect in January.

An employee handbook is a nuts-and-bolts aspect of governmentand business. Nevertheless, it is a vital document that givesworkers information about what is expected of them and what theycan expect in return for good service.

In the new handbook, employees can expect a little give-and-takein the area of leave time.

Instead of separate time off policies for sick leave andfunerals, the new handbook gives employees only five “personal”days to use any way they wish. That concession is offset by thefact that any unused vacation or personal leave time may be countedtoward an employee’s retirement, an incentive that is not offeredunder the current “use it or lose it” policy.

Handbook development has lingered off and on the back burner asofficials pursued other projects and contemplated other decisionsfacing the board.

The fact that the mayor and board of aldermen have nearlyfinalized the document is a good sign of city officials workingtogether. We commend that spirit of cooperation and look for it tocontinue in the future.