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Worker gets more time to accommodate trustee
(by Joseph Koziol Jr. - December 03, 2008)
Worker gets more time to accommodate trustee
By JOSEPH KOZIOL JR.
Claridon Township Trustees have authorized more time for office help after hearing of an apparent conflict over employee's use of time.
Township Fiscal Officer Lisa Millet said routine work, such as preparing meeting minutes, was falling behind, because her help was being requested to tend to other duties by Trustee Mary Briggs. "Can I get ahead of Mary on the list?" she asked.
Trustees agreed to extend the hours of township secretary Lea Hlifka to accommodate both needs.
"We'll spend a little more township money," Trustee David Brockway said.
Mrs. Millet said Ms. Hlifka typically has worked 10 to 12 hours per week, although she is authorized to work up to 20 hours. The week just before Thanksgiving, she worked 20.5 hours.
"I want her doing minutes, not e-mails to the prosecutor," Mrs. Millet said. "Are you using Lea as your personal secretary?" she asked Ms. Briggs.
Ms. Briggs replied, "Certainly not."
Ms. Hlifka said it's disruptive to have people in her office when she is attempting to get work done. She said she's often asked to type items for Ms. Briggs. When Mr. Brockway hands her items to be sent out, they are already typed, she said.
Mrs. Millet said it would be easier if all correspondence from trustees arrived by e-mail.
On another matter, Mrs. Millet said Ms. Hlifka was asked why she was shredding items. She said Ms. Briggs has asked what items are being shredded. A log is kept for every item that's shredded, and she and Ms. Hlifka both have taken courses on record retention, she said.
Ms. Briggs said she has asked on three occasions about the shredding. The sound of the shredder irritates her, she said. "I expressed my level of discomfort."
Mrs. Millet said such interruptions cause workers to take time out to explain what is happening. "If you're asking every little thing, it is taking time away," she said.
Mr. Brockway said the duties of the fiscal officer should come first and should be put ahead of an individual trustee. He asked Ms. Briggs if she could agree to that condition.
Ms. Briggs said she could only agree to a point. "Within reason," she said. "But she works for both."
Trustee Edward Ward said trustees would spend more money to accommodate Ms. Briggs. "We spend money on you all the time," he said.
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