The Town Council of South Berwick hereby adopts the following personnel policy and rules for utilization by the Town Manager and the Town Council in the administration of personnel activities of employees of South Berwick.
The purpose of the Town Council in prescribing these rules is to set forth a uniform and equitable system of personnel administration for the Town of South Berwick, to promote more effective and efficient municipal operations, and to pursue positive employee morale. The hope of the Council is to provide each employee with a written summary of work benefits and privileges, as well as responsibilities, to better ensure that all employees are treated the same and to provide a logical, workable method for employees to resolve any problems which may arise from time to time.
Except as otherwise provided, these rules and policies shall apply to all South Berwick employees. These rules shall not apply to any matter covered by a collective bargaining agreement between the Town and its organized employees, nor shall it apply to employees covered under individual contracts. The fringe benefits provided by the Town to employees shall apply to full-time employees only, except as specifically provided herein.
A. 
Ensuring the day-to-day administration of these rules shall be the function of the Town Manager, working through each department head to ensure familiarity with these rules as well as that of his/her department staff.
B. 
It shall be the duty of the Town Manager to:
(1) 
Encourage and exercise leadership in the development of sound personnel practices between the departments of the Town of South Berwick.
(2) 
Advise the Council on manpower utilization.
(3) 
Foster and develop programs for the improvement of employee effectiveness, including training, safety, health, counseling, proper courtesy when dealing with the public and respect for municipal property.
(4) 
Ensure the establishment and maintenance of records for all employees in the public service, in which there is set forth, as to each employee, the class, title, pay or status, medical leave, vacation time, and other relevant data.
(5) 
Ensure that in each department these rules are administered fairly and in conformity to the Town Charter and provisions of state and federal statutes.
(6) 
Issue various administrative procedures and take other appropriate action to carry into effect the specific provisions of these rules and policies.
(7) 
Perform the duties of Equal Employment Opportunity Officer or delegate these duties to an employee who shall be designated as the Town's Equal Employment Opportunity Officer.
It is recognized that there may be a need to establish and maintain departmental rules of conduct and procedures, especially in the emergency services areas. In the case of conflict between these rules and policies and those of a specific department, these rules and policies shall be controlling unless the department rules and any revisions have received Council approval. However, every reasonable effort should be made to ensure maximum compatibility between these and departmental rules.
The Council recognizes that, as with any undertaking, it may be necessary to make adjustments in these rules from time to time to make them work smoothly. All employees are therefore encouraged to make note of any problems or difficulties which may require changes, and bring them to the attention of a superior. The Town Manager shall make recommendations to the Council for amendments as needed.