The Mahaska County Board took a look at its employee handbook at a Thursday afternoon work session. County Board Chairman Willy Van Weelden says one item discussed was how to deal with accumulated sick pay.

“When you have a good employee that doesn’t take much time off, they call in sick and get paid for a full day versus selling back a half day.  In a way, we’re paying half as much money–in a way.  And I think it’s a good incentive for workers, for employees.”

Another idea discussed was having Good Friday as an official holiday for County employees, rather than Martin Luther King Day.  Van Weelden says that would spread out holidays more evenly.  No official action was taken Thursday.  Changes to the employee handbook would have to be approved at a future County Board meeting.