Metro GM further increases accountability with new controls on absenteeism
Metro General Manager and CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld announced new controls on absenteeism this week to improve productivity and reduce use of overtime, as part of his management team’s actions to reduce operating expenses.
Excessive absenteeism is being targeted for cost reduction,
as Metro employees took a combined 181,422 days of sick and unpaid leave days
in FY16, as compared to 171,019 days in FY15, an increase of nearly six
percent.
“Every day of absence we avoid improves productivity,
facilitates better operations, and helps prevent overtime,” Wiedefeld
said. “We expect this effort to generate
about $2 million in bottom-line improvements projected in the FY18 proposed
budget.”
A recent internal review by Wiedefeld’s new management
team found more than 100 employees were on extended leave beyond the time
limits required by collective bargaining agreements, policy, or law. Employees who remained in “active” status may
have continued to earn service time toward their pensions and health care
coverage. The first 25 people are being
formally notified that they are no longer “active” employees. Metro said another 100 people are under
review to determine the proper disposition of their employment status. Wiedefeld has ordered more rigorous
monitoring and full compliance with policies that require medical evaluation
for extended absences. Employees who
fail to comply may be subject to termination.
To ensure tighter management, Wiedefeld announced policy
changes that takes effect March 1:
- Supervisors can approve no more than two days of unexcused absences without pay
- Within a one-year period, progressive discipline up to and including termination applies to excessive absences
- Supervisors and Managers are now “at will” employees who may be terminated immediately for abuse of policy
- Metro’s internal Office of Medical services will take the place of supervisors in providing reviews and approval by medical professionals of sick leave and doctors’ notes.
Training and monitoring will be enforced through the
Compliance Department that reports directly to the General Manager to ensure
consistent application of the new program across the agency.
Metro also recently appointed a new Treasurer and new
Workers’ Compensation Manager, launched a new claims verification program,
expedited return to work medical exams, and is conducting supervisor training
to improve claims handling. Wiedefeld
also directed his Compliance department to start an audit of the program’s
third-party administrator.
Wiedefeld is ensuring that every department tightens
overtime use through monthly management reviews and schedule improvements. Wiedefeld has also launched a management
review of time and payroll verifications of the 100 “highest earners” of
overtime throughout the agency on a monthly basis.
“These actions are necessary to ensure that Metro is
properly managing public resources and that we get the maximum value out of
every dollar,” Wiedefeld said.