Q. Recent questions regarding time off for elected officials leads to a follow-up question. Does the state of North Dakota have internal control policies dealing with time off?
Businesses (government in this instance) with strong internal controls require employees (officials in this instance) to take a certain number of days off. Those with stronger internal control policies restrict electronic access during the time off. Policies such as these are designed to reveal/prevent unethical/illegal action.
It would be interesting to know state employee policies.
Connie Hamre, Fargo
A. I contacted Laurie Sterioti Hammeren, director of North Dakota Human Resource Management Services. Here's what she said:
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"Elected officials are not required to follow the leave schedule set up for the classified work force. The classified work force earns leave according to their years of service. I am not aware of agencies requiring their workforce to use a certain amount of leave per year, although they could. Employees are restricted in carrying over more than 240 hours per year. Employees are encouraged to take leave rather than accumulate it.
"The e-mail access would be an agency by agency decision. Often workers are allowed VPN access from home. This access is not just for leave purposes, but useful for some positions throughout the year.
"Leave is covered in Administrative Rules: Chapter 4-07-12 Annual Leave."
You can find North Dakota Administrative Code at www.legis.nd.gov/information/rules/admincode.html .
Do you have a question for a North Dakota state government official or agency? Send us your question, and we'll do our best to find an answer.
E-mail politics@wday.com (Subject: Ask your government).
You may also write to Teri Finneman c/o Forum Communications, Press Room, State Capitol, Bismarck, ND 58505.
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