By: Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Essex Free Press
Essex County Council directed Administration to reclassify the Attendance Support Policy from a Corporate to an Administrative Policy, in alignment with the Policy and Procedures framework, during the November 5 meeting.
“Our goal with this policy is really to have early and consistent solutions, focused discussions with employees, and provide them with the supports and options in an effort to prevent longer-term absences and more complex attendance concerns,” Kyla Pritiko, Director of Human Resources, explained.
Originally adopted in 2004, the County’s Attendance Support Policy has been revised, Pritiko told members of County Council. Over the years, it has gone through several reiterations.
In July of 2021, the policy was put on hold, following concerns from a union partner, regarding lack of consultation and inconsistent application of the policy, Pritiko explained.
Since then, the absence of an Attendance Support Policy “has resulted in inconsistency in how we are managing attendance across the County,” she commented. “This has negatively impacted morale and culture.”
The amended policy has undergone extensive consultation, including with union partners, ensuring equitable input and shared understanding.
“Overall, the key changes were made in an effort to increase transparency and consistency in the way that the policy is being managed,” Pritiko added, noting the purpose of the policy is to connect and support employees who may be struggling to maintain consistent attendance at work.
Supported absences under this policy are treated as non-disciplinary.
The recommendation to redesignate it as an administrative policy from a corporate policy was also made, with Pritiko explaining that it will align with the County’s policy in procedure and governance frame work.
An administrative policy provides “the principles and protocols for staff to execute operations with consistent standards and established conventions…and address issues that may affect one or more departments,” she outlined in her report. With that definition, the Attendance Support Policy fits better under that framework.
Lakeshore Mayor Tracey Bailey said the policy was comprehensive. She wondered if it covered things like arrival times, tardiness, and lateness.
One of the key amendments to the policy is that it specifies culpable absenteeism. Depending on the nature of why the lates are occurring, it may fall under the culpable piece or attendance support framework.
Bailey liked the non-disciplinary approach for this policy.