AUTHORIZATION TO REVISE HR POLICY 401 REMOVING COLUMBUS DAY AS A RECOGNIZED CITY HOLIDAY
Staff Contact: Jim Brown, Director, Human Resources and Risk Management
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Purpose and Recommended Action
Recommendation
This is a request for City Council to authorize the revision of Human Resources Policy #401 to remove Columbus Day as a recognized City holiday. This change will result in City offices being open for business on the Columbus Day holiday and will provide employees with a floating holiday.
Background
In the March 7, 2017 workshop, Human Resources presented the Mayor’s Council Item of Special Interest to review with Council the organizational impact of keeping City offices open for business on Columbus Day and providing a floating holiday for City employees. Human Resources also provided benchmark data reflecting what other valley cities have done regarding the Columbus Day holiday.
After review of the information presented, Council directed that Human Resources go through the process of revising HR Policy #401 to remove Columbus Day as a recognized City holiday and provide City employees with a floating holiday.
Analysis
The Human Resources Department conducted an internal survey of all departments to determine the impact of having City offices remain open on Columbus Day and providing employees with a floating holiday. The survey reflected that this change would have little or no financial or service impact to the organization.
Human Resources also researched valley benchmark cities and found that none of the following cities recognized Columbus Day as a City holiday by closing their offices:
Avondale Peoria
Chandler Phoenix
Gilbert Scottsdale
Goodyear Surprise
Mesa Tempe
Human Resources revised HR Policy #401 to remove Columbus Day as a City holiday and provide a floating holiday for employees. On May 17, 2017, the Personnel Board was convened to review the policy changes. The Personnel Board provided consensus to move forward with removing Columbus Day as an official holiday from HR Policy #401.
Previous Related Council Action
On March 7, 2017, this item was presented to Council as the Mayor’s Council Item of Special Interest. At that time, Council gave direction to move forward with changing HR Policy #410 to remove Columbus Day as an official City holiday, for City offices to remain open on that day and for employees to receive a floating holiday in lieu of having Columbus Day off.
Community Benefit/Public Involvement
Having City offices open on Columbus Day provides an additional day of service for our citizens and stakeholders.