Chapter 2.32 — PERSONNEL SYSTEM

A personnel system for the town is established in order to provide for an equitable and uniform procedure for dealing with personnel matters and to place town employment on a merit basis so that the best qualified persons available shall be brought into the service of the town. (Ord. 13 §1, 1980)

The personnel policy of the town is declared to be as follows:

A.

Employment in the town government shall be based on merit and fitness.

B.

Just and equitable incentives and conditions of employment shall be established and maintained to promote efficiency and economy in the operation of the town government.

C.

Positions having similar duties and responsibilities shall be classified and compensated on a uniform basis.

D.

Appointments, promotions and other actions requiring the application of the merit principle should be based on systematic tests or other appropriate evaluations.

E.

High morale shall be maintained by fair administration of this chapter and by every consideration of the rights and interests of employees consistent with the best interests of the public and the town.

F.

Employment shall be subject to the good behavior and satisfactory performance of work by the employee, and to the necessity for the performance of work and the availability of funds by the town. (Ord. 13 §2, 1980)

The town manager shall be the personnel officer. He may delegate certain responsibilities of the personnel director to a designated assistant. The personnel director shall administer all provisions of this chapter and of the rules pertaining to town employment not specifically reserved to the council. (Ord. 13 §3, 1980)

The officers and employees of the town, as well as others rendering services thereto, are divided into either the exempt service or the classified service. (Ord. 13 §4, 1980)

The exempt service shall include the following:

A.

Management employees:

Officers of the town, the town manager and his immediate staff,

Each department head,

Such assistants to department heads as the town manager may designate;

B.

Volunteers and persons appointed to serve without pay;

C.

Consultants, counsel rendering professional services and independent contractors;

D.

Any position which is not specifically included within the classification plan and pay plan for the classified service as adopted from time to time by council resolution. (Ord. 13 §5, 1980)

The classified service shall include all positions of the town as are specifically set forth in the classification plan established by the town manager and in the pay plan adopted by council resolution. (Ord. 13 §6, 1980)

Personnel rules, as well as any revision or amendment thereof, shall be adopted by council resolution, covering but not necessarily limited to, the following subjects:

A.

Preparation, installation, maintenance, amendment and revision of a classification plan covering all positions in the classified service, including job descriptions, minimum standards and qualifications;

B.

Preparation, installation, maintenance, amendment and revision of a pay plan directly correlated with the classification plan;

C.

Manner of giving notice of all job openings and acceptance of applications therefor;

D.

Employment procedures and employment lists resulting therefrom;

E.

Certification and appointment of persons from employment lists and the making of temporary and emergency appointments;

F.

Evaluation of employees during the probationary period;

G.

Transfer, promotion, demotion and reinstatement of employees in the classified service;

H.

Separation of employees from the classified service through layoff, suspension or dismissal;

I.

Determination of hour of work, overtime, sick leave, vacation, holidays, leave of absence, training and other working conditions;

J.

Provision for orderly and equitable presentation by an employee to his appointing authority relating to grievances;

K.

Procedures governing employer-employee relations;

L.

Procedures regarding affirmative action; and

M.

Establishment, maintenance and use of a personnel records system. (Ord. 13 §7, 1980)

Appointments to vacant positions shall be made in accordance with Chapter 2.04, describing the powers and duties of the town manager, this chapter and the personnel rules. (Ord. 13 §8, 1980)

Whenever in the judgment of the council it becomes necessary for reasons of economy or because the need for a position no longer exists, the town manager may lay off, demote or transfer an employee holding such position or employment without the right of appeal. (Ord. 13 §9, 1980)

A.

Except as otherwise provided by the general laws of the state, no person shall be employed, promoted, demoted or discharged, or in any way favored or discriminated against because of political or religious affiliation, race, sex, age or ethnic derivation.

B.

No rule shall be adopted prohibiting the employment of any person otherwise qualified, solely because of age, excepting only the employment of policemen or firemen. (Ord. 13 §10, 1980)

Any period of time during which an employee is required to be absent from his position by reason of an injury or disease for which he is entitled to receive worker's compensation benefits shall not be deemed to be a break in his continuous service for the purpose of his right to any salary adjustments, sick leave, vacation or seniority rights which might otherwise apply. (Ord. 13 §11, 1980)