By Rusty Nixon Correspondent
PLYMOUTH — Unpaid leave or no unpaid leave — that is the question.
Just as Hamlet in Shakespeare’s masterwork struggles with the question of his existence, the Marshall County Personnel Committee continues to struggle with the existence — or non-existence — of unpaid leave for county employees.
The County Personnel Committee does not make a final decision on personnel issues, but exists as a body to hear requests and make non-binding recommendations to the County Council on such issues. The makeup of the committee is a cross section of county government department heads and elected officials.

The problem for committee members is mostly over how, and under what, circumstances such leave should be granted. Those on the committee acknowledge that the benefits package for employees contains considerable time off, with paid vacation, 14 paid holidays and personal time. The county also provides bereavement leave and is subject to the Family Medical Leave Act.
However, in certain circumstances, such as serious illness, employees can use up the time allotted them and have other situations arise where more time off work is necessary. If the individual has been a valued and loyal employee, the county — as with any employer — is not willing to fire someone under such circumstances. How to deal with such situations has become a problem the committee is trying to resolve.
Many times the issue has been an emotional one. The county must be an equitable and responsible employer, yet caring for those who work for them.
“It’s really about how we keep a good measure of humanity in our departments,” stated County Auditor Penny Lukenbill at the committee’s meeting Tuesday morning.
There are also the hard facts.
“There is a reality of what we can afford to do,” said Sheriff Jon VanVactor, also a member of the committee.
While on any leave, even unpaid, the county continues to pay for the benefits package of that employee.
Personnel consultants for the county have advised to have a policy stating that unpaid leave not be allowed under any circumstances. Committee members continue to struggle with the aspect of being fair while also being sensitive to the needs of their employees.
Discussion will continue on the matter that may or may not be resolved soon.