Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Sick Pay: Buy Back vs Accumulation

Much ado was made at the Annual Town Meeting (ATM)
regarding

SICK LEAVE BUYBACK
Because those amounts were clearly disclosed, voters FINALLY
began to notice one of many giveaways, courtesy of taxpayers.
At ATM, Chairwoman Brunelle indicated that the town policy
had been discontinued after 2005.
11/5 STM was again asked to fund
SICK LEAVE BUYBACK
TO THE TUNE OF HOW MUCH?
Were you watching? Have you totalled
those amounts?
I'll offer the hint that it's not a pittance.
What the Bait & Switch experts didn't tell you is
they instead ALLOW employees to
ACCUMULATE SICK LEAVE
UP TO 275 DAYS.
Regardless of whether the policy is a conspicuous
lump sum that requires Town Meeting approval
or a carefully concealed additional 'EMPLOYEE'
on the payroll exhausting their sick pay prior to
retirement, it is a concealed liability the
TAXPAYER - TRANSLATION - YOU,
has incurred that will reduce town services.
That the policy IS extended to SALARIED
EMPLOYEES has yet to be questioned.
The retired Town Manager received his
'lump sum' for his accumulated
sick pay, declaring that he had never taken
a sick day.
A cursory review of the BOS
meeting minutes might prove otherwise.
The BOS signed a contract with a recently
hired SALARIED Town Accountant who will work
4 DAYS EACH WEEK
yet he will accrue sick time at the same
rate as a full time town employee.
The BOS also allowed the contract to
include VACATION PAY that he WOULD
HAVE been entitled to in his previous
position.
Little noticed is that NO ONE was
keeping track of sick pay or vacations.
While some might disagree, a list of
private sector employers offering
those benefits would be appreciated.

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