Town’s training and reimbursement policies updated

By Cal Braid
Taber Times
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

At a July 15 regular meeting of council, the Town’s reimbursement and training policies were due for renewal and approved unanimously. HR Manager Grace Noble pointed out the minimal changes to the documents and council accepted them as they were.

 Taber’s staff professional development & training policy is in place to create an organizational culture that enhances virtues like excellence and integrity. It promotes staff skills and knowledge in their current and future roles with the Town. The policy exists to:

-optimize the quality of working life and to achieve excellence by enhancing the recruitment and retention of high-quality staff.

-provide support for career advancement.

-maintain and increase job satisfaction.

-develop the ability of staff to initiate and respond constructively to change.

-maintain and improve organizational effectiveness and efficiency.

The Town recognizes “that individual staff needs and organizational needs should be linked to the overall strategic objectives of the department and the Town of Taber.” All training requests are to fall within the approved budget of the department as established by council. Department managers are responsible for approving and documenting their staff training. Training beyond the province must be approved by the CAO and training outside of North America must be approved by council.

 In addition, the Town’s travel and subsistence policy was due for renewal. Other than updated formatting, the administration did not recommend any changes to it. “The Town recognizes the financial implications of business travel and the importance of fair reimbursement for such expenses,” it says. “The principles included in this policy apply to all Town employees and members of town council, respective boards, committees and commissions.”

 The CAO and management team oversees the employees, and the mayor and deputy mayor oversee the council members and other appointed officials to ensure that the policy is handled fairly and consistently. Council has its own final say in authorizing “if, when and by what means Council will travel on government business.” The department heads have the same powers of determination when and if employees travel on government business. Any approved request for travel means that the Town has agreed to pay for the employee’s reasonable and legitimate travel related expenses. Town employees are reimbursed for travel based on the most direct, practical, cost effective route and mode of transportation to reach their destination.