Commissioners adopt amended reemployment policy to ease rehiring within 12 months

Kent County commissioners voted to adopt amendments to the county employee handbook that expand reemployment protections for former county employees who return to work within 12 months. The board approved adoption of resolution 2025-12, which amends the reemployment policy and will be effective January 1, retroactive to the start of the year.

Human resources representative Jen White told commissioners the change is intended to aid recruitment and retention by reinstating applicable leave accrual rates and seniority for employees who separate and return within a 12-month break in service. Under the amended policy, employees who return within 12 months would retain prior accrual rates (for example, a returning employee who had previously accrued annual leave at a higher seniority level would not be reset to a new-hire accrual rate). Commissioners clarified that the change applies only if the break in service is 12 months or less and does not apply to longer breaks.

Commissioners voted to approve adoption of the amended reemployment policy and the accompanying resolution.