IS IT TRUE NOVEMBER 9, 2015

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IS IT TRUE we asked George Fithian, PHR the Executive Director of Administrative Services for the City of Evansville to provide us with a copy of the employee handbook for our review? … Mr. Fithian honored our request in a timely manner? …Attached below is the response from Mr. Fihian concerning our request?

Dear Editor:

This letter is an additional response to your Request for Records dated October 15, 2015. This response is made pursuant to Indiana’s Access to Public Records Act (“APRA”, IC 5-14-3). Enclosed is a copy of the City of Evansville’s Employee Handbook per that request.

However, we need to clarify two issues raised by the request itself.

First, we note the request contains what you may have intended it to be a single request, rather than two requests, because of certain assumptions you may have made. Your request first states you seek “a copy of pension/retirement benefits, sick leave and personal leave”, but then states “Just send me a copy of employee handbook.” It appears you assume the records satisfying the first part of the request (benefits and leave records) would be contained in the record satisfying the second part (employee handbook), which is not entirely true. The employee handbook does contain information about the sick and personal leave benefits. But it only references the pension or retirement benefit without providing any substantial detail, because those details are provided to employees by the Indiana Public Retirement System (“INPRS”), which administers various retirement programs including the Public Employee Retirement Fund (“PERF”). As such, if you in fact wish to request additional pension and retirement plan records not contained in the employee handbook, we might suggest directing that request to INPRS, although we will certainly respond to any request you send to us.

Second, please note that the employee handbook does not cover all City employees. Rather, it only applies to employees who are not part of a collective bargaining unit. The employees who are part of collective bargaining units would find the terms of their employment in their collective bargaining contracts.

Sincerely,

George Fithian, PHR

IS IT TRUE we have attached below a couple sections of the City of Evansville Employee Handbook we found interesting?

DISCRIMINATION & HARASSMENT POLICY STATEMENT

IS IT TRUE part of this section states that “It is the policy of the City of Evansville that all employees have the right to work in a professional atmosphere and be treated with respect and dignity. The City of Evansville expects all employees to be business like and free of bias,  prejudice, and harassment”.  …its unfortunate that that the Employee Handbook doesn’t address how city employees should treat citizens of this community?  …later this week will give you documentation why we feel the Public Information Officer of the EPD not only censored but also discrimated against the CCO?  …we are in the process of filing a formal complaint against him with the Indiana Public Access Counselor and the EPD Merit Commission?

POLITICAL ACTIVITY

IS IT TRUE can you tell us how many current city employees has violated this section of the Employee Handbook?  …the City Employee Handbook states that; ” as an employee of the City of Evansville, you are entitled to exercise your rights as a citizen, to express your opinions, and to cast your vote.   As a public employee however, you may not engage in political activities during work hours.  You may not wear clothing or buttons demonstrating political affiliation.  Displaying stickers or other political items in your work area or on City property is also prohibited.  Failure to comply with this notice will subject you to the appropriate disciplinary action by your Supervisor.”

EMPLOYEE CONDUCT

IS IT TRUE that the City of Evansville Employee Handbook addresses Employee Conduct?   …it states “Our goal is to provide quality service to the residents of the Evansville community. Your actions toward fellow employees and the general public directly affect the public’s perception of the City’s ability to effectively manage City services.  You are expected to treat all employees and the general public with courtesy, fairness, and impartiality. There should be no intentional or unintentional conflicts between your interests and the interests of the general public.”  …we look forward to hearing what our buddy George Lumley has to say about this policy listed in the City Employee Handbook?

 CONFLICT OF INTEREST

IS IT TRUE the Employee Handbook states; “The City of Evansville expects our employees to conduct business according to the highest ethical standards of conduct.  Employees are expected to devote their best efforts to the interests of the City of Evansville.”  “A conflict of interest occurs when an employee’s private interest interferes or even appears to interfere in any way with the interest of the City.”  “The existence of a conflict depends upon the circumstances, including the nature and relative importance of the interest involved. A conflict of interest may be present when an employee takes actions or has interests that impair the employee’s ability to performhis/her job duties objectively and effectively.  A conflict of interest may occur when an employee improperly receives personal benefits as a result of his/her position with the City.”  “An employee may not receive any payment, fees, services, vacations, or other unusual favors from any person or business organization that does or seeks to do business with the city. If an employee has any question whether an action or proposed course of conduct would create a conflict of interest, he/she should immediately contact their Supervisor or the Personnel Department to obtain advice on the issue”.

ANTI-NEPOTISM

IS IT TRUE that the Employee Handbook states; “The employment of relatives can cause various problems, including charges of favoritism, conflicts of interest, family discord, and scheduling conflicts that work to the disadvantage of both the City of Evansville and its employees”.  “Therefore, immediate family may not be hired if employment would:

1. create a supervisor/subordinate relationship with a family member; have the potential for creating an adverse impact on work

3. create either an actual conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest”.

City of Evansville Handbook Revised February 2015

IS IT TRUE CCO has posted the entire City of Evansville Handbook policies as revised in the February 2015?

IS IT TRUE attached below is a link to the entire City of Evansville Employee Handbook for your review and comments?

Employee Handbook REVISED 2015

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

12 COMMENTS

  1. You are expected to treat all employees and the general public with courtesy, fairness, and impartiality. There should be no intentional or unintentional conflicts between your interests and the interests of the general public.” …we look forward to hearing what our buddy George Lumley has to say about this policy listed in the City Employee Handbook?

    I could write a book about this one. I am actually working on an issue right now involving police officer Nick Henderson. While giving a power point presentation to the Poplar Grove Neighborhood Association that included facts about the city, Officer Henderson stopped my presentation and along with Mrs. Jenny Thomas (representing a not for profit) became hecklers and claimed I was just all negative. I considered my presentation positive and factual. If the facts hurt – maybe there is a problem.
    I sent Officer Henderson some documentation, a copy of the power point, and asked for his input to make it more palatable. The reply has been silence.
    Mrs. Thomas is trying to impede my presentation at other UNOE associations. She was telling members of one of those that I was disruptive at the West Side Improvement (UNOE member) and if I contact them, they should say they are too busy. She did not realize she was talking to my daughter.
    If the individuals feed off the city or not for profits they are very sensitive to fact.

    • George

      You need to file a formal complaint against Officer Henderson with the EPD Merit Commission.

      Editor

      • Officer Henderson seems to be a great guy and truly concerned with the neighborhoods and his job. I hope to get his input to help with my presentation. There seems to be a difference in opinion of what is propaganda and fact.

  2. Mr. Lumley, Please post your presentation on here so that we have a better understanding of your presentation. Thank you.

  3. It works better when the Employee Handbook rules are simple.
    Like:
    “Do you agree with us politically?”
    “No?”
    “You’re a troll. You’re fired.”

  5. The way that reference to nepotism has been twisted, spun, and downright broken under several administrations is pretty amazing.

  6. It looks like CCO ran afoul of EPD when the comments about Chief Bolin changing addresses of a suspect in the Milan raid. The truth hurts, and sometimes it hurts the person telling it, until the courts step in. I think the Chief and City are going to get kicked right back to the Seventh Circuit, which has already kicked them in the rump, but if SCOTUS takes it up we can depend on more national embarrassment than the CSO, Russ Lloyd, and Cher caused, combined.

    • I went back to the “IIT” that was up on October 29, 2015 and re-read the whole Milan fiasco. I have reached the conclusion that if a rank-and-file officer did what Chief Billy Boling admitted doing by changing the address of a suspect, he would have been fired, and stripped of his pension. If that officer happened to be of the “wrong political persuasion”, he’d probably have been prosecuted too.
      All I can say is that Bolin must have one helluva “job insurance policy . My advice to all of the fine, honest officers we still have is that you should keep your head down and do your job the best you can, and retire ASAP.
      As the money gets tighter, city employees need to watch their pensions and don’t count on them too much.

      • Is it not a crime for Bolin to go back and change the address of Murray’s supposed associate? This is a serious question.

  7. Elkaybee: “As the money gets tighter, city employees need to watch their pensions and don’t count on them too much.” Understood. Just from the few months of observation of that mess of a small city.
    I’d say the city employees need to keep a keener watch on just what and where their leadership throws its funds, and likely “their pensions” at. Btw, a innovative retired person can easily become finance abundant if one uses those lifelong skills to better the available work force where one resides. I work with people from around the planet daily, although many are not citizens of the United States the satisfaction of the useful advances given to mankind’s younger generations drives them forward every day.

    I’m a lucky one you see, I’m one of the the mentored ones. Mid thirties and still amazed at what one can learn from my mentors and their colleagues on a daily basis. Evansville needs to get smart and keep a watchful eye on those who distribute the few available funds you seem to possess now.

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