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CIVIL SERVICE AND EFFECTIVE BACKDRAFT PREVENTION TECHNIQUES. Problems Fire Chiefs Get Into With Civil Service. LOUISIANA FIRE CHIEFS’ ASSOCATION APRIL 13, 2012. ORGANIZED 1973. To avoid Backdraft on the Fire Ground. SIZE UP. -- BACKDRAFT – Civil service. Some slip –ups are
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CIVIL SERVICE AND EFFECTIVE BACKDRAFT PREVENTION TECHNIQUES Problems Fire Chiefs Get Into With Civil Service LOUISIANA FIRE CHIEFS’ ASSOCATION APRIL 13, 2012 ORGANIZED 1973
-- BACKDRAFT – Civil service Some slip –ups are minor Some can be disastrous
You may think all you have to worry about is fire But the public might get fired up!
The Mayor The Fire Board
SOLUTION Gain a Better Understanding of: Louisiana Municipal Fire & Police Civil Service Law: LSA-RS 33:2531 et seq. LSA-RS 33:2471 et seq.
SOLUTION Gain a Better Understanding of: Local Civil Service Board Rules: Classification Descriptions & Minimum Requirements Leaves of Absence Force and Effect of Law
SOLUTION Gain a Better Understanding of: Louisiana Fire Service Bill of Rights LSA-RS 33:2181 thru 2186
SOLUTION Gain a Better Understanding of: Loudermill Procedures Cleveland Board of Education v. Loudermill, 470 U.S. 532 (1985)
MAKING APPOINTMENTS RECRUIT To Obtain Firefighter I Six Months Duration At Will Can Be Terminated No Appeal Rights
MAKING APPOINTMENTS PROBATIONAL APPOINTMENTS
PROBATIONAL APPOINTMENTS Must begin immediately upon appointment Requires medical examination after offer At least six months; not more than twelve
PROBATIONAL APPOINTMENTS Interrupt the wtp if leave is more than 30 days PAF must be completed Cannot be done retroactively
PROBATIONAL APPOINTMENTS Rejection is not a disciplinary action Give reasons for rejection in writing Appealable only if not given fair opportunity
Backdraft Prevention Technique Make sure action to reject is done prior to the end of the working test
PROBATIONAL APPOINTMENTS Entrance Firefighters & Communications Officers can be rejected anytime during the working test. • Prior approval not required • All other classes can be removed in first six months only with board’s prior approval
PROBATIONAL APPOINTMENTS Explain and re-enforce expectations Hold accountable BUT. . .
PROBATIONAL APPOINTMENTS DO NOT CONFIRM IF CONFIRMATION HAS NOT BEEN EARNED
Backdraft Prevention Technique Do not alter confirmation dates R.S. 33:2505 & R.S. 33:2565
MAKING APPOINTMENTS PROVISIONAL APPOINTMENTS
PROVISIONAL APPOINTMENTS Proposed Class Purpose: for filling vacancy when there is no employment list while new class is being adopted offered to anyone deemed qualified no time limitation
PROVISIONAL APPOINTMENTS Existing Class Purpose: for filling vacancy when there is no employment list used until list is established offered to anyone deemed qualified temporary -- up to 90 day one-time renewal ONLY terminates 15 days after list is certified
Backdraft Prevention Technique Notify board of all provisional appointments
MAKING APPOINTMENTS SUBSTITUTE APPOINTMENTS “WORK UP” “STEP UP” “ACT UP”
SUBSTITUTE APPOINTMENTS Placing one employee in another employee’s position: Leave of absence Substituting for someone else
Backdraft Prevention Technique Substitute appointments are NOT Emergency appointments AG Opinion No. 92-164
MAKING APPOINTMENTS REEMPLOYMENT/EMPLOYED AGAIN RESIGN REHIRE
REEMPLOYMENT/EMPLOYED AGAIN Regular employees Prior board approval 4-year eligibility Position must be offered first from eligibility list RESIGN REHIRE
REEMPLOYMENT/EMPLOYED AGAIN Has lost all seniority Medical certificate Serves working test period RESIGN REHIRE
Backdraft Prevention Technique Make sure to follow all procedures for re-employment R.S. 33:2490.D & R.S. 33:2550.D
Confirmation BREAKING TIES IN SENIORITY Confirm on same date Don’t establish seniority arbitrarily
MAKING APPOINTMENTS BREAKING TIES IN SENIORITY Merit Based Criteria: Most Recent Promotional Test Score Certifications Performance Evaluations
Maintaining Discipline and standards of service
MAINTAINING DISCIPLINE A poorly disciplined employee is a sign of poorly communicated expectations Establish performance expectations Convey expectations to your employees
MAINTAINING DISCIPLINE How To Establish Performance Expectations • Determine how department should run from a “procedures” point of view • Determine how employees should treat each other and the public
MAINTAINING DISCIPLINE How To Convey Performance Expectations • Written policies and procedures • Department and division meetings • Provide guidance through • performance planning and review
MAINTAINING DISCIPLINE Expectations should not be conveyed through corrective or disciplinary action
MAINTAINING DISCIPLINE Make expectations clear, concise and easy to understand through policies, rules, and procedures
MAINTAINING DISCIPLINE Developing Policies, Rules, and Procedures -- 6 Important Questions -- • Will it contribute to efficient and cost- effective operations • Will it provide for safety of employees or the public • Will it assure that rights of employees are respected
MAINTAINING DISCIPLINE Developing Policies, Rules, and Procedures -- 6 Important Questions -- • Will it promote comfortable and professional work environment • Will it promote reputation and integrity of department • Will it help the department avoid legal challenges
MAINTAINING DISCIPLINE How To Develop a Performance Appraisal System Determine criteria important to department’s mission Dimensions of job performance • competency • dependability • adaptability • cooperation • professional development
MAINTAINING DISCIPLINE • Now . . . What happens when employees don’t follow the plan?
MAINTAINING DISCIPLINE COACH FIRST DISCIPLINE LATER . . . and only if necessary
MAINTAINING DISCIPLINE Good Supervisors: • create a positive work environment • give support and encouragement • reinforce the desire to do well
MAINTAINING DISCIPLINE Good Supervisors: • recognize the differences in individuals • bring out the best in employees • know employees’ strengths and weaknesses
MAINTAINING DISCIPLINE A Supervisor’s Greatest Challenges Employees who: • are good workers, but poor team players • are marginal workers who do just enough • think they are more qualified than others & resent authority
MAINTAINING DISCIPLINE Sometimes all it takes is to say: DON’T DO THAT AGAIN!
MAINTAINING DISCIPLINE It saves time Less stressful
MAINTAINING DISCIPLINE Forget about written reprimands Use the written record of counseling