HOLLISTER
Facing the issue of vacation and sick time donations, the San Benito County Board of Supervisors today overturned a decision to deny the request of a county employee to receive donated paid leave time for an elective surgery.
County Administrative Officer Susan Thompson originally denied the claim by the employee to keep consistency in her decisions.
“I was sticking with existing, standing policy,” Thompson said.
Even without approval, the employee had the surgery and was not allowed to use time donated by co-workers. Had the employee waited, that worker could have established enough vacation and sick time to cover the needed absence.
Prior to December when the board passed a formal resolution regarding donated paid leave, there was no resolution regarding this practice. Thompson said it is allowed, but only for emergency and life-threatening situations .
After several members of the public spoke, including the employee, the board discussed the matter. The board then unanimously decided to award the employee the donated time and directed staff to look into the costs of the leave time.
