Employee Forum Minutes

August 11, 2005

Library Conference Room

Members Present: Amy Harvey, Chelsea Laws, Deborah Squires, Dorice Johnson, Jackie Thompson, Jerry Neville, Kristi McClellan, Lee Harris, Norman Clark, Terry Gearhart, Traval Watkins, Wendy Walsh, Will Quick.

Absent: Planning Rep, Ann Brown, Ceberettia Hinton, Charles Bynum, Chris Blue, Donnie Rhoads, Jonathan Bell, Maggie Burnett, Wes Tilghman.

Guests: Lisa Edwards, Human Resources, Anissa Graham-Davis, Human Resources, Tiffany Morrow HR Intern, Krystal Turner HR Intern

Opened: 9:15 am

Interesting fact about Inspections department:

They participate in an Apprenticeship program through the Department of Labor. The apprentice program is for 4 years to become an Inspector. The apprentice chosen is an employee of the town. He or she will need to pass the boards before becoming an Inspector.

Minutes approved.

New Items:

• Passed out copies of “A Quick Report.” Minutes from the meeting between the Town management group and a group of employees from the Transportation department. Employee Forum members are asked to bring the report back to departments and share with fellow employees. An electronic copy is attached.

Discussed that some employees in Public Works department have shown some interest in joining a union, but their issues would be different than what is being discussed at the Transit employee meetings. Anissa shared that it is against state law for the Town to recognize, negotiate or sign an agreement with a union, but that Administration and Human Resources are meeting with employees and the union representative to hear the issues and try to work them out.

• There were some complaints about the Town Workers Compensation doctor providing poor care to employees injured on the job. In one instance, an employee felt that he/she had been released back to full duty without getting the care he needed. Other members of the employee forum brought up some circumstances that they had heard about as well.

Anissa suggested that if the employee is not comfortable with the care he/she receives, call Chapel Hill Family Medicine and request another appointment with a different doctor within that practice. Some employees may not realize that they can do this. If the employee still does not receive the care that he/she thinks is necessary, please call Human Resources so they will be aware and can address the concern.

Anissa also pointed out that if Human Resources does not know there is a problem, they cannot work on fixing it. For example, if Human Resources does not know that employees are having difficulty with the Workers Compensation process, they would not know that additional training is needed. Human Resources is doing some planning and coordination to provide training in this area to help employees know what to do when they are injured on the job.

Also brought to the attention of the Forum is that the Safety Incentive Program at Public Works may discourage employees from reporting injuries. This program may need to be reviewed.

            Pay Plan Review Committee:

Two employees have applied to be on this committee so far. The Employee Forum is     asked to get the word out that this opportunity is available. It has already been advertised in the newspaper and by email, but it is important to rely on the Forum to let everyone         know and encourage employees to apply.

            Anissa thanked the Forum from Human Resources for participating in the Council’s       discussions on pay raises this year.

            Encouraging Council Members to Meet Employees:

A suggestion was made to encourage Council members to meet Town employees. This discussion included ideas like inviting them to “all employee” functions. After the   meeting, Anissa explained that Council members are indeed invited to employee      functions, such as the Appreciation Day lunch and service awards.  Under the Manager-            Council form of government, the Manager serves as the liaison to the Council and           directly supervises all employees.

            Work Group Summaries:

• Benefits:

Handed out draft proposal for employee discount program. They will also continue to work on AFLAC proposal.

• Education:

Announced Health Fair at Hargraves on Friday August 19^th. This event, which is arranged by the Human Resources department,  will include 30 vendors, and free health screenings. Work group continued to work on designing an orientation manual for new Forum members.

• Communication:

Continued to discuss employee recognition activities. Some of the suggestions collected from employees were: donating vacation day for a good deed from the director of the department; Director taking employees out to lunch or bringing in breakfast; Work groups should be recognized for a job well done (i.e., Street clean up after downtown events).

Reminded members to gather names of employees interested in the computer loan program.

• Policy:

Discussed sick leave donation. Will contact Pam Eastwood to find out what her research found.

            Agenda Items for September:

• DOL Apprenticeship Program
• Computer Loan Program
• Town Talk ideas

Next meeting hosted by Transportation on September 8, 2005

Adjourned: 10:55am