Bartholomew County offices hours ending at 4 p.m. going forward

Bartholomew County Commissioners have approved two new ordinances affecting county employees.

Both ordinances were approved by the commissioners at their meeting Monday morning.

Under the first ordinance, Bartholomew County full-time employees who become parents will be eligible for up to six weeks of paid maternity leave for a birth mother and up to four weeks for a non-birthing parent. Commissioner Larry Kleinhenz said a great deal of thought went into the exact wording of the ordinance, making sure to cover all contingencies including adoptions. The change will go into effect January 1st.

The county will also be moving all normal office county employees to a work day that ends at 4 p.m. in the afternoon. Bartholomew has been one of only two counties in the state that still work until 5 p.m. commissioners said.

Earlier this year, the workers in the county courts were moved to the 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. schedule, at the suggestion of state officials.

All affected employees will still work a 40 hour week. Each workday will include a 20 minute paid lunch period instead of a one hour non-paid lunch. The change will not effect employees who work an around the clock schedule.

The new office hours go into effect on October 1st.