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HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93010_0738 (2)REQUEST FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES FOR APPROVAL OF A SIX MONTH PILOT PROJECT INVOLVING FLEX -TIME OPTIONS: Social Services Director Don Wall, Income Maintenance Administrator Lynn Deal, and Human Resources Director Carolyn Hams attended the meeting to explain the flex -time request. Wall said the pilot program was being offered in an attempt to improve employee morale. He said the project would initially be offered to the income maintenance employees, and it would offer the following four work options. 1. 8:00 am - 5:00 pm with one hour for lunch 2. 7:30 am - 5:30 pm with one hour for lunch, '/z day off every week Ji 3. 8:00 am - 5:30 pm with one-half hour for lunch, % day off every week 4. 7:30 am - 5:00 pm with one-half hour for lunch, 'h day off every week Mr. Wall said the sick leave, vacation and comp time deductions would be based on the flex week, e.g., if an employee was sick on a nine -hour day, then the employee would have to take nine hours of sick leave. Mrs. Deal said it was important to maintain customer service, but the department was trying to find ways to improve employee morale. She said some units had experienced 100% turnover. Deal said the public would continue to use the hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for office visits. She said flex time was an option, it was not mandatory. County Manager Mashburn said other county departments were interested in flex time. He shared a proposed amendment for the county's personnel ordinance that would allow him to authorize deviations from the normal 8 to 5 work day. Health Director Ray Rabe said his department had been reviewing flex time. He said the environmental division was especially interested. Rabe said the health department had been studying a four day work week composed of ten hour work days. Commissioner Johnson asked the social services staff if the flex -time option would impact service. Deal said the public would still be served from 8 to 5. She said it would be up to the supervisors to insure that adequate staff members were working to assist the public. Mrs. Deal said that currently, appointments were made for the clients and this practice would continue. Commissioner Bowles asked if social services had considered extending the hours of operation to the public. Wall said this had not been considered, but some clients might come earlier. Mr. Wall said the employees would use the early morning and late afternoon times for paperwork. He said the department just had one switchboard operator and one receptionist during the core hours (8am-5pm), and these people had to be relieved during lunch times, etc. Commissioner Williams asked what would happen if everyone selected the same schedule. Wall said the department couldn't allow it. He said seniority would be used. Mr. Wall said the employees already utilized "protected time" (time when the employees did not receive telephone calls or interview clients) to complete their applications and paperwork. Williams asked how many people would be involved in the pilot program. Deal said approximately 70 people. Commissioner Bowles asked if other social services offices in the state were using flex time.