Granite Falls council reviews draft personnel handbook; no vote taken

City Manager Jeff Balentine presented a draft Personnel Policies & Procedures Employee Handbook during the Feb. 18 City Council meeting, outlining scope, guiding principles, leave and benefit provisions, workplace conduct standards, performance management and grievance procedures.

Balentine listed specific handbook sections covered: employment classifications, compensation and hours, pay transparency, rest and meal breaks, paid sick leave per RCW 49.46, vacation accrual, holiday pay, family and medical leave, other leave benefits, health and retirement benefits, workplace safety, progressive discipline and grievance/appeal procedures. Councilmembers posed questions and offered suggestions during the presentation; after discussion the Council agreed not to take action on the handbook at this meeting.

Council did not set a date for final consideration and directed staff to continue work on the draft. No formal vote or amendments were recorded.