(A) Purpose. The following uniform disciplinary policies and procedures are provided so that employees of the city will be aware of the consequence of violations of the city’s policies, rules, and regulations. This disciplinary policy may be changed from time to time as new problems or situations are encountered. All employees will be notified of any changes. The following policy supersedes all previous policies.
(B) Offenses resulting in immediate termination. The following offenses shall result in immediate termination.
(1) Report to work under the influence of alcohol or other drugs not prescribed by a physician.
(2) Drinking alcoholic beverages or using drugs not prescribed by a doctor while on the job.
(3) Fighting on the job.
(4) Threatening employees or other citizens while on the job.
(5) Stealing while on the job.
(6) Stealing from the city.
(7) Intentional or grossly negligent destruction or damaging of property while on the job.
(8) Representing oneself as a city employee in order to aid in committing or attempting to commit a felony or misdemeanor.
(9) Failure to comply with a supervisor’s direct order.
(10) Any action which, while not a violation of a regularly established rule, regulation, or policy, is so deleterious to affect city operations or to the public interest, that discipline or discharge could reasonably be expected to result.
(C) Tardiness.
(1) Late arrivals will be clocked in 15-minute increments after the first three minutes of tardiness. If an employee is to report at 7:30 a.m. and clocks in at 7:33 a.m., the employee will be paid as if he or she clocked in at 7:30 a.m. However, if the employee clocks in from 7:34 a.m. to 7:45 a.m., one-quarter hour of pay will be deducted.
(2) Two late arrivals in a 12-month period will result in written notice. Three written notices in a 12-month period will result in immediate termination.
(3) An employee is expected to be at their station and ready to begin work at the start of their regular work schedule.
(D) Other offenses. Any other offenses shall be treated in the following manner.
(1) A first offense will result in a verbal reprimand given by the employee’s immediate supervisor, to inform the employee the activity or behavior objected to does not meet the municipal standards. However, the reprimand shall not be utilized to embarrass the employee and should be given in private conversation with the employee whenever possible.
(2) A second offense, including, but not limited to, a repetition of the first offense, shall result in a written warning.
(3) A third offense, including, but not limited to, a repetition of the first offense, in a 12-month period, shall result in a written warning and a one- to three-day suspension. The length of the suspension shall be at the discretion of the department head or the Mayor. The length of the suspension should give the employee an indication of the seriousness of the infraction and show that further violation will not be tolerated.
(4) A fourth offense, including, but not limited to, a repetition of previous offenses, in a 12-month period, will result in immediate termination.
(E) Employee disciplinary notice forms. Any and all disciplinary action, including verbal reprimands, if issued, must be promptly reported on an employee disciplinary notice form (refer to Appendix 1 of Ord. 1848, copies of which are on file in the office of the Clerk-Treasurer). This report must include the specifications of the offense, the disciplinary stage, and the disciplinary action taken. Copies of the employee disciplinary notice forms are to be kept by the supervisor and department head and be placed in the employee’s permanent personnel file.
(`81 Code, § 35.21) (Ord. 1848, passed 3-18-86; Am. Ord. 95-2167, passed 3-6-95; Am. Ord. 97-2249, passed 6-2-97)