As a condition of employment or continued employment, employees may be required to appear as witnesses in grievance hearings and/or as witnesses for the City in administrative or judicial proceedings as directed by City administrative staff. This includes, but is not limited to, cooperating with City officials and insurers of the City in any claim, whether for civil damages or other relief, brought by or against the City.
Employees are required to cooperate in City investigations and in efforts to recover damages, benefits, settlements or any court or administrative action relating to injury time or Workers’ Compensation claims. Refusal to cooperate is considered just cause for disciplinary action up to and including termination.
Employees called as witnesses, related to their employment, during work hours shall be paid at their regular rate. Employees will be required to return to work when they are no longer needed as witnesses. All witness fees received by employees must be remitted to the City if called as a witness during work hours.
Employees who are parties to or called as witnesses in administrative or judicial proceedings unrelated to their employment or official capacity with the City must submit a Request for Leave of Absence form specifying vacation or leave without pay to their immediate supervisor with a copy of the order to appear. Under this condition, employees are not required to return witness fees to the City.