The Oconto Falls City Council on Feb. 11 voted to increase the number of compensatory hours available to city employees. With a unanimous vote, the council increased the limit from 40 to 80.
City Administrator Vicki Roberts requested the change, citing the extra hours employees are dedicating to snow removal and frozen water lines this winter.
Roberts could not provide an estimate of the number of extra hours needed for winter work this year, saying only, “It’s been a lot.”
According to federal statute, the city may give employees one and one-half hours of time off for every hour of overtime rather than pay the overtime rate. Roberts said the city would benefit financially by using compensatory time, and employees would have more vacation time.
Employees can choose which option they prefer and have no time limit in which to use the hours. The amount of time an employee can accrue cannot exceed 80 hours.
The city plans to review this policy, along with the rest of the employee handbook, in the future, Roberts said.
Categories
