In accordance with Section 5.6 of the City Charter, the City Manager is the Personnel Director of the City, with the authority to delegate his duties to the Director of Employee Relations. The office of Employee Relations shall assist all departments by keeping personnel records, testing applicants, maintaining a pool of qualified job applicants and negotiating collective bargaining agreements with employee bargaining units. The functions of the office of Employee Relations shall be to:
(a) Recruit, examine and place employees within the framework of established employment practices and other applicable laws and regulations;
(b) Negotiate, in coordination with the City Manager, all contracts with employee bargaining units; gather and interpret data on wages, fringe benefits and working conditions; prepare cost estimates of employee demands and City proposals; assist in putting contract provisions in effect; and perform the day-to-day contract administration function;
(c) Compile wage and salary surveys to determine equitable salary ranges and specific classifications and administer the step plan;
(d) Periodically review City classifications, prepare class descriptions, allocate positions to proper classes and, when necessary, reclassify employees with the approval of the City Manager and the City Commission, as required;
(e) Administer fringe benefit programs, including health and life insurance, the retirement program, sick leave, other leaves and vacations;
(f) Administer and monitor a City-wide performance evaluation system, notify department heads of anniversary dates within their departments on a monthly basis and provide the forms necessary for evaluation;
(g) Maintain central personnel records on all City employees and initiate all forms related to employment and changes of status and pay;
(h) Coordinate a City-wide safety program; maintain a reporting system for industrial accidents and compile injury and accident reports; serve as a liaison with the worker's compensation carrier; and prepare reports as required by the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA);
(i) Consult with the City Manager and the department heads, make recommendations regarding departmental organization and manpower utilization and give technical assistance to the City Manager upon request; and
(j) Answer employment inquiries; consult with department heads, employees and employee representatives; complete questionnaires from other agencies; conduct surveys and prepare reports; and fulfill community relations duties as may be necessary.
(Ord. 14-78. Passed 11-28-78.)