Table of Contents
PolicyEffective Date:Revision Date:
INTRODUCTION
010Title Page 3/08/20013/08/2001
020Employee Welcome Message 3/08/20013/08/2001
030Organization Description 3/08/20013/08/2001
040Introductory Statement 3/08/20013/08/2001
051Employee Acknowledgement Form 3/08/20013/08/2001
EMPLOYMENT
101Nature of Employment 3/08/20013/08/2001
102Employee Relations 3/08/20013/08/2001
103Equal Employment Opportunity 3/08/20013/08/2001
104Business Ethics and Conduct 3/08/20013/08/2001
105 Personal Relationships in the
Workplace 3/08/20013/08/2001
107Immigration Law Compliance 3/08/20013/08/2001
108Conflicts of Interest 3/08/20013/08/2001
110Outside Employment 3/08/20013/08/2001
112Non-Disclosure 3/08/20013/08/2001
114Disability Accommodation 3/08/20013/08/2001
116Job Posting and Employee Referrals 3/08/20013/08/2001
EMPLOYMENT STATUS & RECORDS
201Employment Categories 3/08/20013/08/2001
202Access to Personnel Files 3/08/20013/08/2001
203Employment Reference Checks 3/08/20013/08/2001
204Personnel Data Changes 3/08/20013/08/2001
205Orientation Period 3/08/20013/08/2001
208Employment Applications 3/08/20013/08/2001
209Performance Review 3/08/20013/08/2001
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PROGRAMS
301Employee Benefits 3/08/20013/08/2001
303Vacation Benefits 3/08/20013/08/2001
304Child Care Benefits 3/08/20013/08/2001
305Holidays 3/08/20013/08/2001
306Workers' Compensation Insurance 3/08/20013/08/2001
307Sick Leave Benefits 3/08/20013/08/2001
309Bereavement Leave 3/08/20013/08/2001
311Jury Duty 3/08/20013/08/2001
312Witness Duty 3/08/20013/08/2001
314Educational Development 3/08/20013/08/2001
315Personal Days Off (PDO) 3/08/20013/08/2001
316Health Insurance 3/08/20013/08/2001
319Long-Term Disability 3/08/20013/08/2001
TIMEKEEPING/PAYROLL
401Timekeeping 3/08/20013/08/2001
403Paydays 3/08/20013/08/2001
405Employment Termination 3/08/20013/08/2001
408Pay Advances 3/08/20013/08/2001
409Administrative Pay Corrections 3/08/20013/08/2001
410Pay Deductions and Setoffs 3/08/20013/08/2001
WORK CONDITIONS & HOURS
501Safety 3/08/20013/08/2001
502Work Schedules 3/08/20013/08/2001
504Use of Phone and Mail Systems 3/08/20013/08/2001
505Smoking 3/08/20013/08/2001
506Rest and Meal Periods 3/08/20013/08/2001
508Use of Equipment 3/08/20013/08/2001
510Emergency Closings 3/08/20013/08/2001
512Business Travel Expenses 3/08/20013/08/2001
514Visitors in the Workplace 3/08/20013/08/2001
516Computer and E-mail Usage 3/08/20013/08/2001
517Internet Usage 3/08/20013/08/2001
518Workplace Monitoring 3/08/20013/08/2001
522Workplace Violence Prevention 3/08/20013/08/2001
524Ergonomics 3/08/20013/08/2001
LEAVES OF ABSENCE
601Medical Leave 3/08/20013/08/2001
604Educational Leave 3/08/20013/08/2001
605Military Leave 3/08/20013/08/2001
607Pregnancy-Related Absences 3/08/20013/08/2001
EMPLOYEE CONDUCT & DISCIPLINARY ACTION
701Employee Conduct and Work Rules 3/08/20013/08/2001
702Drug and Alcohol Use 3/08/20013/08/2001
703Sexual and Other Unlawful
Harassment 3/08/20013/08/2001
704Attendance and Punctuality 3/08/20013/08/2001
705Personal Appearance 3/08/20013/08/2001
706Return of Property 3/08/20013/08/2001
708Resignation 3/08/20013/08/2001
710Security Inspections 3/08/20013/08/2001
712Solicitation 3/08/20013/08/2001
714Drug Testing 3/08/20013/08/2001
716Progressive Discipline 3/08/20013/08/2001
718Problem Resolution 3/08/20013/08/2001
MISCELLANEOUS
800Life-Threatening Illnesses in the
Workplace 3/08/20013/08/2001
900Index 3/08/2001 3/08/2001
Center for Independent Living
Employee Handbook
Issue Date: March 8, 2001
020 Employee Welcome Message
Welcome new employee!
On behalf of your colleagues, I welcome you to the CIL and wish you every success here.
We believe that each employee contributes directly to the CIL's growth and success, and we hope you will take pride in being a member of our team.
This handbook was developed to describe some of the expectations of our employees and to outline the policies, programs, and benefits available to eligible employees. Employees should familiarize themselves with the contents of the employee handbook as soon as possible for it will answer many questions about employment with the CIL.
We hope that your experience here will be challenging, enjoyable, and rewarding. Again, welcome!
Sincerely,
Executive Director
CIL Board President
030 Organization Description
I. Goods Produced and/or Services Provided
The Center for Independent Living (CIL) is a non-profit, non-residential organization established by and for people with disabilities. To empower people with disabilities to fully participate in all aspects of society is the guiding principle of the CIL.
The CIL offers services to anyone with a disability who resides in some of the surrounding counties. There are no age restrictions to receive services. Services are also available to families of individuals with disabilities, community service providers, governmental agencies, and private businesses.
Services available, but no limited to, include:
-Independent Living Services (IL)
-Interpreter Referral Service (IRS)
-Local and statewide advocacy
-Transportation Alliance Advocacy
-Disability Awareness Training
-Americans with Disabilities Act Technical Assistance
-Information and Referral
-Rural Access Modification Project (RAMP)
-Operation Rebuild.com
II. Facilities and Location(s)
The CIL is housed in the bottom floor of a three-story office building and has use of 10 offices. Automatic doors with the CIL signage designate the CIL office. There is a large conference room with easy access, as well as a workroom. A large off street parking area that has clearly marked accessible parking spaces for vans and cars is designated for the CIL use. The CIL has gone to great lengths to ensure that the office location meets ADA compliance. Two fully accessible bathrooms with lever handles are available for use as well as a kitchen/lunchroom. The office location is situated with easy access to major highways within the service area.
III. The History of CIL
The Center for Independent Living, a 501(c)(3) agency, is a consumer controlled, cross disability organization dedicated to assisting people with disabilities achieve and maintain independent life styles. The CIL’s mission is to advance the rights of persons with disabilities through the elimination and prevention of barriers that people with disabilities experience.
1988
The Center was incorporated in April 1988, and received its first grant in October 1988. Under the direction of the president of the board, and acting Executive director, the first office site was chosen at it current location.
1989
In February 1989, the current Executive Director was hired. After staffing and establishing the office, we began providing services to surrounding counties, the area covered by the CIL.
The CIL initially began providing independent living (IL) services to people with disabilities through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). Core Services offered under the IL Program include information and referrals, individual and systems advocacy, peer counseling, service coordination, and skills training. Since its inception, several programs have been established through the CIL, but the primary purpose of the CIL is to provide persons with disabilities a comprehensive array of services, thereby allowing full participation in society.
1990
In April 1990, the CIL hosted a volunteer recognition dinner at a ____ Lodge. Honored in addition to the CIL volunteers were several others.
Later that year, a three-day board and staff retreat was held at the Marriott to build closer and more effective board and staff relations. This retreat was the beginning of a new and more productive relationship between the board and staff.
In June the "Father of Independent Living," was the guest speaker and facilitator at a two-day retreat designed to make us a more active Center. The net result of his presentation and several work sessions was to move the Center into more of a consumer directed advocacy organization. Because of the consumer direction, the CIL held its first demonstration to call attention to inaccessible fixed route busses.
1991
In June 1991, the CIL hosted a second volunteer recognition dinner at the Marriott. Honored were several people, Human Services, and a local TV station.
In September 1991, two staff and one board member traveled several blocks against traffic videotaping the lack of accessible curb cuts in the city. This information was presented to the City council requesting the installation of curb cuts. The CIL was promised that $250,000 would be allocated for curb cut construction.
1992
In October 1991, the CIL assisted Accessible Community Today (ACT), a grassroots advocacy group, in receiving a one-year grant from the State Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC). This grant was administered through the CIL, and its purpose was to increase accessibility in the community. Many changes occurred as a result of this group, such as curb cuts in the city, development of ADA Potential Violation Tickets, and a community Celebration of Human Spirit in recognition of the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). ACT continues to be a strong advocacy group in the State.
1993
In 1993, the CIL relocated its office, to accommodate the expansion of services and staff.
In September 1993, the CIL began administering an Assistive Technology Resource Center (ATRC). This resource center provided advocacy to access funding for assistive technology, training demonstrations, referral and information on assistive technology devices and services, and short-term equipment loans. The ATRC was funded through a grant received from the State Initiative on Assistive Technology through a University.
1994
In January 1994, the CIL administered a Special Outreach and Education Project. The primary purpose of this project was to create an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Technical Assistance Service. Although this was a one-year grant funded through the State Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, the CIL continues to offer ADA Technical Assistance.
In March 1994, the CIL established Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (DHHS) through a grant from the ______District Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. The purpose of this program was to provide qualified/certified interpreter services to businesses and individuals. Since 1994, DHHS has sponsored several interpreter workshops and empowerment workshops for people who are deaf or hard of hearing and regularly participates in community expos and exhibits.
In October 1994, the Educational Outreach Project began operation. This project continues to be implemented by ACT-_____County. This project provides educational/sensitivity training to school age children with and without disabilities from various local schools. The presenters are persons with disabilities who teach children to become aware of various disabilities. This one-year project was funded
through a collective advocacy grant from the State Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC).
1995
In February 1995, the CIL began a Grassroots Advocacy Project (GAP) to advocate for local and statewide systems change. The primary focus of this initiative is to mobilize people with disabilities as well as parents of children with disabilities to advocate for more meaningful change on a local and statewide level. The GAP project is funded through a grant received from the State
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC), and was administered by the State Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities (CCD).
Also in February 1995, the CIL, through the DHHS program, received a grant from the Telecommunication Education Fund (TEF) to provide TTY trainings for businesses, consumer telephone bill counseling, workshops, and informational articles in newsletters. This was a one-year grant, but TTY
trainings are still being provided.
In October 1995, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Coalition (DHHC), a grassroots advocacy group, was awarded a grant to increase communication accessibility in the community. This one-year grant was administered through the CIL’s DHHS and was funded by the State Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC). During this fourth quarter, DHHS became self-sustaining.
Also in October 1995, the CIL received additional moneys from the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) to open a satellite office. The satellite was and is known as the Center for Independent Living of ______. The satellite became an independent center in October 1998.
1996
In February 1996, the satellite office, officially opened with full staff. This was a three-year project with the goal that the satellite office would become a Center for Independent Living. At the same time, a Grassroots Advocacy Project (GAP) was also established in the satellite office.
In September 1996, the CIL was also awarded a grant to administer an Assistive Technology Resource Center (ATRC) for the eight counties they serve.
1997
In April 1997, the CIL moved, to accommodate additional increases in staff and programs.
In July 1997, the CIL received notice that it would be administering another grassroots advocacy grant from the state. ACT, a grassroots advocacy group, received this grant to increase accessibility in a County.
In October 1997, the DHHS program was renamed the Interpreter Referral Service (IRS). It was felt that this name was more descriptive of the service being provided under this program.
In addition, in October 1997, the CIL began implementing another grant from the state. This grant is geared towards improving rural transportation services through advocacy with local and state governments in eastern regions of the state.
1998
In March 1998, the CIL participated in its 5th Home Builders Show. Through the donation of a board member an obstacle course including a ramp was built to simulate the differences between an accessible and an inaccessible home.
This was our largest and most successful display in the history of the CIL. Volunteers, board, and staff donated many hours in answering numerous questions about accessibility, assistive technology, and CIL services.
In July 1998, the State Association of the Deaf Blind, a grassroots advocacy group, received notification that it was awarded a grant to provided Deaf Blind awareness to organizations and businesses in the community. This grant began in October 1998, and was a one-year grant administered by the CIL. The State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council funded it.
1999
In February 1999, the CIL, in collaboration with ______Inc., implemented Operation Re-Build.Com. The goal of Operation Re-Build.Com is to place refurbished computers in the homes of people with disabilities who have low income.
In March 1999, the CIL participated in the 1999 Home Builders Show. The theme was “Accessibility Features for the Home." An obstacle course, donated and built by Environmental Accessibility Consultants, was available for people willing to take the challenge using a manual wheelchair, donated by ______Medical Equipment. The Home Builders Association donated exhibit space. Other miscellaneous donations were given.
In April 1999, the CIL recognized our volunteers with special recognition given to volunteers who had donated over 100 hours of service in the past year.
In April 1999, the CIL also received notice that the Transportation Alliance project would continue for another year.
In May 1999, the CIL began free computer training to consumers. This training includes basic computer skills, Microsoft Word, and Internet training.
In June 1999, Accessible Communities Today (ACT) took action in Midtown to make businesses accessible. Working with the Disability Law Project, ACT entitled its advocacy “Midtown Sweep.”
In October 1999, the CIL hosted its first Casino Night/Fashion Show. It was very successful with plans to continue similar fundraising annually.
2000
In January 2000 the CIL continued to advertise Operation Rebuild.com, a project that refurbishes used computers and gives them to people with disabilities who do not have the resources to purchase a computer. The CIL recruited two new volunteers to work on this project.
The CIL participated in the 2000 Home Builders Show with cooperation from The Home Depot who provided an accessible kitchen area for display. Several board members, staff, and volunteers were available throughout the 10-day show. It was estimated that eight to ten thousand people attended the show.
Beginning in February the CIL assisted another independent living center, ______, through a six-month restructure and re-organization process.
Beginning in July 2000 the CIL began an Independent Monitoring Project with six surrounding Counties Mental Health/Mental Retardation Services. Its primary purpose is to conduct individual interviews with individuals with mental retardation receiving services from the county Mental Retardation program. Through the interviews, obtain information about the services people receive to access their life outcomes and level of satisfaction.
In July 2000 the CIL coordinated Rolling Justice 2000. This statewide, grassroots advocacy event drew attention to the need for accessible, affordable transportation for people with disabilities. Beginning on July 5 transportation events were held in cities and towns across the state in a relay on July 21 and ending in Philadelphia on July 29 near a National Convention. 2000 participants also marched with the Initiative 2000 torch relay which, was a nationwide event celebrating the 10th anniversary of the ADA.
In September 2000 an article written for Accessible Communities Today (ACT) group on the Midtown Sweep, was published in Reading in Independent Living, a publication of Independent Living Research Utilization (ILRU). Because of the article the action CIL took was nationally acknowledge as an innovative CIL project.
In October 2000, the CIL received a grant from the Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC) for Rural Access Modification Project (RAMP), which focuses on organizing volunteers in some counties to build ramps and small home modifications.
In October 2000 the CIL participated in the Chamber of Commerce’s 50th Anniversary Business and Industry Night. This was the third year that the CIL exhibited a booth. In conjunction with the theme of the Fabulous 50’s the CIL had a “Beat the Clock” game by dropping clothespins in a bottle, and our tabletop display.
Also in October 2000 the CIL’s annual fundraiser, Casino Night, was held at a Country Club.
2001
The CIL participated in the 2001 Home Builders Show February 24-March 4. Several board members, staff, and volunteers were available throughout the 10-day show. The CIL’s booth was located directly behind the feature home.
In April 2001, the CIL hosted its Annual Volunteer Recognition Tea. Volunteers were recognized for their service to the CIL during the last fiscal year.
INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT
This handbook is designed to acquaint you with the CIL and to provide you with information about working conditions, employee benefits, and some of the policies affecting your employment. You should read, understand, and comply with all provisions of the handbook. It describes many of your responsibilities as an employee and outlines the programs developed by the CIL to benefit employees. One of our objectives is to provide a work environment that is conducive to both personal and professional growth.
No employee handbook can anticipate every circumstance or question about policy. As the CIL continues to grow, the need may arise and the CIL reserves the right to revise, supplement, or rescind any policies or portion of the handbook as it deems appropriate in its sole and absolute discretion. The only exception to any changes is our employment-at-will policy permitting you or the CIL to end our relationship for any reason at any time.
EMPLOYEE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM
The employee handbook describes important information about the CIL, and I understand that I should consult my supervisor or the fiscal manager regarding any questions not answered in the handbook. I have entered into my employment relationship with the CIL voluntarily and acknowledge that there is no specified length of employment. Accordingly, either the CIL or I can terminate the relationship at will, with or without cause, at any time, so long as there is no violation of applicable federal or state law.