Youngstown council approves 4 workplace policy measures proposed by mayor

YOUNGSTOWN

City council approved ordinances that formally create policies to protect whistle-blowers, address violence and bullying in the workplace, and detail the improper use of city-owned cellphones and computers.

“These are general workplace policies that the private and public sectors have,” said Mayor John A. McNally, who sponsored the four ordinances. “Employers need to have them to protect employers and employees. These are good governance accountability tools that need to be in place.”

Council had postponed votes on the issues Jan. 21 after some members had questions. Council unanimously approved the ordinances Wednesday.

The whistle-blower policy protects employees from retaliation if they report suspected or actual wrongful conduct by other city workers.

The policy against violence and bullying protects those victimized by those practices.

The policies on the improper use of cellphones and computers owned by the city spells out for city employees the restrictions on both.

“They are using city equipment and need to treat it properly,” McNally said.

For details on the measures, read Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.