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(A) No Employee or agent of the County, whether full or part-time, paid or volunteer, other than a duly sworn County police officer, general services officer or other individual authorized by statute to carry a weapon on behalf of the County, shall carry or possess a firearm or other deadly weapon (exceptions to this policy include small pocket knives or a rescue knife carried by appropriate personnel) during working hours, while on duty, or while otherwise engaged in County business or on County property. In accordance with Indiana state statute, an employee may possess a firearms weapon if it is stored in his/her vehicle on County property, and providing that the vehicle is locked.
(B) A violation of this policy will result in disciplinary action including termination.
(A) It is the policy of the County to ensure the safety of all employees by maintaining a workplace free of violence. Workplace violence can occur in many forms including: any verbal or physical action that is communicated or perceived as a threat, harassment, abuse, intimidation, or personal contact that produces fear for personal safety, causes bodily harm or damage to property.
(B) Employees are asked to take appropriate measures to keep the workplace harmonious and to treat co-workers, supervisors, and the general public with respect. Employees should not, under any circumstance, react to a threat of violence, verbal assault, or rude behavior. Rather, employees should immediately remove themselves from the situation and report the threat to their supervisor or department head.
(C) Violating this policy makes an employee subject to discipline, up to and including discharge.
(D) Right of Inspections and Inquiry
(1) When the County deems it necessary to ensure the safety of County property; to provide a secure workplace; to prevent the possession, use, or sale of illegal drugs; or possession of alcohol in the workplace, the County reserves the right to:
(a) Search employee areas.
(b) Question employees.
(2) In addition, the County may inspect the contents of lockers, storage areas, file cabinets, desks, offices, and work stations at any time. All searches may be conducted at the County's discretion and without notice. Employees are expected to cooperate with searches and inspections. Employees who fail to cooperate are subject to disciplinary action, up to and including discharge.
(3) Furthermore, employees are subject to disciplinary action appropriate to policy violations uncovered during a search/inspection.
(E) Damage, Loss, or Theft of County Property, Equipment, and Supplies - All employees are expected to exercise reasonable care to protect County property, equipment, and supplies from damage, loss, and/or theft. Employees are responsible for the proper care and return of all property, equipment, and supplies used to perform work and/or assigned to their possession. An employee who has reason to believe that County property, equipment, and/or supplies are in danger of being damaged, lost, or stolen is expected to immediately report this to his or her department head.
(F) Damage, Loss, or Theft of Employees' Personal Property - Employees are expected to exercise reasonable care for their own protection and for that of the personal items they bring to work. The County is not responsible for the loss, damage, or theft of personal belongings. Employees are advised not to carry unnecessary amounts of cash or other valuables with them when they come to work.
(A) Although accidents occur in the workplace, most are avoidable by carefully and safely performing one's job duties. It is important to use the proper equipment such as a ladder when having to reach overhead objects or to use one's knees (instead of just one's back and arms) when having to lift a heavy box or object. Some jobs require the wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as eye wear, ear protection and footwear with reinforced toes or gripping soles. PPE and performing job-duties with the proper equipment are just a few of the many steps that an employee can take to avoid an accident.
(B) If an employee becomes injured at work, he/she must report that injury to their supervisor immediately. Supervisors should also be notified immediately of any fires, hazardous conditions, or injuries to others.
(C) It is the County's policy to comply with the Indiana Workers' Compensation Laws and to aid any employee whose injury or illness is determined to be compensable under those laws. The County pays for all costs associated with providing this coverage and the insurance carrier will make all payments and decisions pertaining to compensable injuries or illnesses.
(D) If an employee is hospitalized or incurs medical costs as a result of a job-related injury or illness, the employee's department head should be notified as soon as possible. If absence from work is required as a result of a job related injury or illness, the employee will be required to furnish a statement from a physician stating that he/she is able to work before returning to work.
(E) An employee suffering a work-related injury and/or illness must report the condition immediately, but no later than twenty-four (24) hours from the time of the incident, to his/her supervisor or department head. If the accident or injury happened at work but requires medical treatment after going home, an employee should see a doctor of their choice or go to the emergency room at the local hospital. The employee should advise their supervisor or department head of the name of the doctor or hospital where treatment was received as soon as possible, but no later than forty-eight (48) hours from the time of the incident. Failure to immediately report an injury or illness could result in jeopardizing the employee's worker's compensation claim should the injury be more serious than first determined.
The County, including all of its buildings, is smoke-free. Employees are not permitted to smoke and/or vape e-cigarettes or similar devices while in a County building. In accordance with Indiana state statute, smoking is not allowed within 8 (eight) feet of an entrance.
(A) Each employee is issued an identification badge (I.D.) with his or her photograph on it for identification purposes. The purpose of the I.D. is to identify an employee of the County while performing his/her duties. It should never be used as a form of identification outside of work.
(B) The I.D. must be turned in when employment terminates. An employee should immediately report a lost or stolen badge to their supervisor. Should an I.D. become damaged, an employee may turn in the damaged tag for replacement at no cost. If an I.D. is lost, a $5.00 replacement fee may be charged.
SECTION 4- EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
The benefits outlined in this section apply to all County employees including those covered by a collective bargaining agreement, unless the bargaining agreement or contract explicitly addresses the issue in a manner contrary to this chapter. In those instances, the terms of the bargaining agreement or contract will supersede the terms of this chapter.
The County provides a number of benefits to its employees. Although some benefits are required by law, most benefits are provided voluntarily to employees as part of the overall compensation that an employee receives. Many of the benefits provided exceed those normally provided in the private sector. This section represents an outline of benefits and is not a full explanation/description. Employees who desire more detailed information regarding a specific benefit should contact the appropriate source as listed or the Insurance Department.
(A) Personnel of the County whose official duties include receiving, processing, depositions disbursing, or otherwise having access to funds that belong to the County, Federal Government, State Government, a political subdivision, or another governmental entity shall be trained once during a calendar year, and annually thereafter, unless on administrative leave status, pursuant to the County's Uniform Internal Control Standards and Materiality Policy and any other standards and procedures determined necessary by the County and shall cooperate with the Auditor so that the Auditor can timely certify to the State Board of Accounts that the training was received annually by those personnel as required by law.
All new County hires shall be trained pursuant to the County's Uniform Internal Control Standards and Materiality Policy.
All regular full-time employees are provided a life insurance policy at no cost to those employees covered by the County's Health Insurance Plan, and $1.00 to those employees who are not covered by the plan. The amount of the policy is equal to one year's salary (the amount is equal to the employee's base pay and does not include overtime). Please contact the Insurance Department for additional details. (See Voluntary Supplemental Benefits for additional life insurance benefits)
(A) Regular full-time employees and statutory full-time employees are eligible for single (employee) or family (dependent) coverage administered for the County by private contract. Coverage includes: medical, prescription, dental and vision benefits. Contributions and coverage limits may vary. Please contact the Insurance Department for additional information regarding current rates and coverage.
(B) A regular full-time employee is an employee who has completed his or her orientation period and who works on average at least thirty-five hours or more per week.
(C) A statutory full-time employee is an employee who is paid out of a regular full-time employee position, who in fact may not work at least 35 hours per week, but who receives benefits by virtue of State statute, reimbursement agreement with the State or Federal government, or is an elected or appointed official, judge or magistrate, pursuant to the Indiana Constitution, or State statute.
(1) These are employees who may work less than 35 hours per week but for budget purposes are placed in job classifications where the salary is based upon working 35 hours per week and for whom health benefits must be provided by State statute or reimbursement funding agreements watts the State of Indiana or the Federal government. This includes County elected or appointed officials, judges and magistrates in a position created by the Indiana Constitution, or State statute.
(2) Notwithstanding Section I.C., in order to implement the Settlement Agreement entered into between the Lake County Superior Court and the Lake County Council dated March 13, 2018, in Order for Mandate of Funds in the Lake Superior Courts, 45D10-1701-CB-00003, Judges and Magistrates appointed to a position of Judge or Magistrate after January 1, 2019, shall be ineligible to participate in any and all current and future health care coverage and benefits provided by Lake County Government. However, Judges or Magistrates appointed after January 1, 201 9, who were either a Judge or Magistrate in the Lake Superior Court on December 31, 2018, small be covered.
(D) In those cases where union pensions and welfare funds are involved, the County will make the appropriate contributions pursuant to the collective bargaining agreement.
(E) Cobra Rights
(1) Employees and their families will have the opportunity for a temporary extension of health insurance coverage in certain instances where coverage under the County’s health plan would otherwise end. Only those employees, as well as the employee’s spouse and dependents who were covered under the County’s health insurance plan on the day before the event which triggered termination of coverage are eligible to elect continuation of coverage.
(2) Employees who are covered by the County’s health insurance plan have a right to elect continuation coverage if a loss of group health coverage occurs because of a reduction in hours of employment or the termination of employment. Generally, an employee is eligible for up to eighteen (18) months of continuing coverage although the length of coverage may be extended under certain circumstances due to an employee disability, and for coverage of dependents and spouses. COBRA rights may be withheld to the employee for certain reasons of gross misconduct.
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