Scott County approves sick-leave buyback policy to support retention
Summary
The fiscal court approved a sick-leave buyback policy intended to reward consistent attendance and support employee retention; the program aligns with the Family and Medical Leave Act considerations and will take effect with buyback purchases later in the calendar year.
Scott County Fiscal Court on June 13 approved a sick-leave buyback policy aimed at encouraging regular attendance and strengthening employee retention. County staff said the design emphasizes a 60-day threshold to align with Family and Medical Leave Act considerations and to ensure employees retain sufficient sick leave for serious needs.
Administrators said the policy is an additional benefit and part of broader retention efforts that include the 3% cost-of-living adjustment in the adopted budget. Staff said implementation details will be incorporated into the county's personnel handbook and communications to employees will be distributed in late June, with buyback purchases to begin later in the calendar year (administrators indicated November as the earliest expected timing to process buybacks).
The court approved the policy by motion. County human-resources staff said they will finalize letters and communication templates and work with payroll to schedule the first buyback payments.
