Common use of EMPLOYEE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT Clause in Contracts

EMPLOYEE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. The Board and the Union agree that employee growth and development should be encouraged and supported. REQUIRED COURSE WORK (Employer Initiated) It is agreed that the employer may require an employee to attend course work or training programs to perform work better. (a) For required training and course work the employer will pay for the course or program registration fees, required textbooks and materials, and required laboratory fees. (b) For required training and course work the employer will assist with travel expenses as per the School District travel policy No. 4133. 1. The employer will pre-pay transportation and accommodation expenses. The employee may request through the immediate supervisor an advance on per diem expenses as per travel policy No. 4133.1 dated May 21, 1996. (c) It is recognized that required course work or training occurs both on regular work hours and outside of regular work hours. (d) For course work or training occurring outside an employee's regularly scheduled work hours, attendance will be voluntary. (e) With the prior approval of the supervisor, attendance at courses outside of the employee's regularly scheduled work hours will be compensated either: (i) at the employee's regular rate of pay for the course hours attended; (ii) or the employee will be given equivalent time off for the course hours attended. VOLUNTARY COURSE WORK OR TRAINING (Employee Initiated) Regular employees shall be eligible for some training or course work reimbursement. The amount of reimbursement will be 50% of the cost of the approved course provided that: (a) The courses or training are accepted by the Property Maintenance Manager, in consultation with the Secretary-Treasurer, as properly relating to the employee's current responsibilities or are determined to be specific skills necessary for meeting future district staffing needs. (b) The course or training is approved in advance, in writing, by the Property Maintenance Manager. (c) Proof of successful course completion is presented to the Property Maintenance Manager within one month following notification from the instructor or the educational or training institution, prior to reimbursement by the Board to the employee, and (d) The employee is actively at work. In cases where the employee is not actively at work (i.e., on a leave of absence), reimbursement will be payable when the employee returns to active duty. If the employee voluntarily leaves the employ of the Board before the end of the school year in which the reimbursement for voluntary course work or training is received, this reimbursement may be deducted from the final pay on a pro-rate basis. PROFESSIONAL DAYS (Employee Initiated) All regular employees, with the approval of the Property Maintenance Manager, may participate in school, zone, or district professional days, provided that the program of activities on such days is relevant to the employee's assigned duties. Such approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. Such attendance during the regularly scheduled work hours will be considered part of the regular work time. Attendance at such activities outside of regularly scheduled work hours will be without pay. Regular employees shall be granted time off with pay, during regular work hours, to write exams for approved courses.