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HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 7258 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7258 FZ 1 of 4 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council February 9, 1988 Subject: Request for Extension of Injury Leave of Absence by Dana S. Jordan rors (M&C G-7431 dated 212188) The following information is submitted to the City Council in response to questions by members of the Council related to the above subject. BACKGROUND: On October 14, 1986, Firefighter Dana S. Jordan was injured when she slipped on the right rear running board of a fire apparatus and fell, injuring her lower back. Since the accident, Ms. Jordan has not been able to perform firefighter duties, and with the exception of an approximate two-month period of light duty work, Ms. Jordan has not been able to report to work in any capacity. Ms. Jordan has undergone surgery to the lower back on two separate occasions, first in January 1987 and more recently on September 29, 1987. At this time, the prognosis concerning Ms. Jordan's condition indicates she will not be able to return to an active firefighter status for an indefinite period. Under the State Civil Service Law, a firefighter is entitled to receive an injury leave of absence with full pay for a period of one year, when the injuries result from an on-the-job accident. Ms. Jordan, as of December 19, 1987, has received one full year of injury leave of absence with full pay, a portion of which has been comprised of Workers' Compensation benefits, and the remaining a supplement from the City. Since December 19, Ms. Jordan has been using her accrued benefits to insure her continued receipt of a partial salary. The State Civil Service Law also allows an injured firefigher the option to request from the City Council an extension of the injury leave with full pay or partial pay upon the expiration of the one-year period. Ms. Jordan's attorney, Mr. James Stanley, requested such an extension after the City notified Ms. Jordan of the option. After the year at full pay and any extensions granted by the governing body have expired, the firefighter may use accumulated sick leave, vacation time, and other accrued benefits. Under the City's Retirement System, Ms. Jordan can apply for a disability retirement, either after her accrued leave benefits have been exhausted; or sooner, if she applies for and is approved for disability retirement and elects a lump sum payment of her accrued benefits. PERSONAL DATA Ms. Jordan is 30 years old. She has been a Fort Worth Firefighter since January 5, 1985. Her performance has been satisfactory. ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No.7258 pg. 2 of 4 0 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council February 9, 1988 0* )_Mt Subject: Request for Extension of Injury Leave of Absence by Dana S. Jordan (M&C G-7431 dated 212/88) SALARY AND BENEFITS PAID-TO-DATE The following salary and benefits have been paid to Firefighter Jordan since her injury: A. Salary and Related Benefits 1. Salary Supplement $12,523.80 2. Worker's Comp 11,647.00 3. Longevity Pay 144.00 Sub Total $24,314.80 B. Worker's Compensation Settlement 1. Cash settlement $50,000.00 2. Medical payments 22,935.48 Sub Total $72,935.48 Settlement also included future medical benefits for a period of four years. C. Leave usage since December 1. Sick leave 495.18 (42 hrs @ 11.79) 2. Vacation Leave 943.20 (80 hrs Cd 11.79) Sub Total 1,438.38 D. Total Salary & Benefits $98,688.66 CURRENT BALANCE OF ACCRUED LEAVE The following leave balances are as of January 29, 1988: A. Vacation Leave 193.94 hours B. Sick Leave 311.94 hours C. Holidays 82.67 hours D. Personal Holidays 16.00 hours Total 604.55 hours (75.57 days) The above accrued leave has a value of $7,127.64 (604.55 x 11.79). -ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. X25& _ Pg. 3 of 4 "' *. 10O"a T sit I to To the Mayor and Members of the City Council February 9, 1988 4-' Subject: Request for Extension of Injury Leave of Absence by Dana S. Jordan (M&C G-7431 dated 2/2/88) ALTERNATIVES/OPTIONS A. Option 1 1. City Council approves extension of Ms. Jordan's injury leave for an additional year. 2. Ms. Jordan's leave benefits continue to accrue for one year. 3. After additional year, Ms. Jordan would use her accrued leave benefits. 4. After leave benefits are exhausted, and if unable to return to work, Ms. Jordan would be able to apply for disability retirement. B. Option 2 1. City Council approves extension of Ms. Jordan's injury leave for a time certain less than one year, e.g. 30 days, 60 days, etc. 2. Ms. Jordan's benefits would continue to accrue, but for a shorter period. 3. After the extended injury leave benefits end, Ms. Jordan then would use her accrued leave benefits. 4. After exhausting her leave benefits, and if unable to return to duty, Ms Jordan would be able to apply for disability retirement. C. Option 3 1. City Council denies Ms. Jordan's request for an injury leave extension. 2. Ms. Jordan then uses her accrued leave benefits. 3. After exhausting her leave benefits, and if unable to return to duty, Ms. Jordan would be able to apply for disability retirement. D. Option 4 1. City Council denies Ms. Jordan's request for an injury leave extension. 2. If unable to return to duty, Ms. Jordan would be able to apply for disability retirement. 3. Ms. Jordan would be paid her leave benefits in a lump sum amount. IMPLICATIONS OF APPROVING REQUEST A. Firefighter Jordan continues to fill a budgeted position in a non-work status. ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No.— 7258 Pg. 4 of 4 toary To the Mayor and Members of the City Council February 9, 1988 �EXAgi Subject: Request for Extension of Injury Leave of Absence by Dana S. Jordan `°" (M&C G-7431 dated 212/88) B. Firefighter Jordan continues to accrue sick leave (1 1/4 days per calendar month), vacation leave (1 1/4 days per calendar month), and holidays (9 days per year). C. Firefighter Jordan's salary, and longevity are continued. ($24,523 + $144) D. A precedent would be established. Ms. Jordan would be the first firefighter or police officer to receive the additional injury leave benefits, after receiving the state mandated year-long injury*leave. The last four requests for the extension of injury leave have been denied by the City Council (1) Walter Bostick, Firefighters 9/81; (2) Donny Hargrove, Firefighters 7/83; (3) Regina Mendoza, Police Officer, 5/84; and (4) Gary Randle, Police Officer, 9/84. If additional information is desired, it will be submitted upon request. Respectfully submitted, 'Douglas Haran �r City Manager DH;sm opj -ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS