Primary Department: Human Resources and Talent
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Andrea Coughlin Rowley, Chief People Officer
Secondary Department: County Attorney
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official:
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Policy
Project ID (if applicable):
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Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
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Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A - Not a grant item
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
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Request for discussion and possible action to authorize Human Resources and Talent to amend the Harris County Personnel Policies & Procedures Manual to include amendments to Section 6, Workplace Safety, and Section 12.044, Wellness Leave.
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Background and Discussion:
A recent compliance review found that the Personnel Policies & Procedures Manual does not currently address firearms or other prohibited items in County facilities.
HRT recommends adding Section 6.04, within Section 6 (Workplace Safety), directing employees to comply with the Building Standards adopted by Commissioners Court and applicable to County facilities, including firearms, smoking, alcohol, and other prohibited activities, consistent with the section's existing entries
Separately, HRT recommends amending Section 12.044 (Wellness Leave) to include additional language regarding leave requests, documentation, and coordination with other leave benefits. The version adopted August 8, 2026, covers eligibility and entitlement only; this amendment adds related details, including appropriate uses, leave requests, documentation, and coordination with FMLA/ADA, as new Sections 12.0442 through 12.0445, without changing eligibility or the existing 24-hour allotment.
Expected Impact:
This item involves two components: an update to internal HR policy language addressing Building Standards, and an update to the existing Wellness Leave provision.
1. Personnel Policy (Building Standards): No additional fiscal impact to the County. This amendment codifies existing employee responsibilities under the County's Building Standards as new Section 6.04 of the Personnel Policies & Procedures Manual; it does not create a new benefit, program, or appropriation.
2. Personnel Policy (Wellness Leave): No fiscal impact to the County. This amendment adds implementation provisions (appropriate uses, requesting leave, documentation, and coordination with other leave benefits) to the existing Section 12.044 Wellness Leave provision; it does not change employee eligibility or the existing 24-hour annual allotment as previously approved.
HRT will implement the policy amendment within existing resources.
Alternative Options: N/A
County Strategic Plan Goal: N/A
County Strategic Plan Objective: N/A
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): N/A
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): N/A
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): N/A
Health Initiative (Goal 4): N/A
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): N/A
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): N/A
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan: N/A
Prior Court Action (if any):
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Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
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8/6/2026 |
14 |
Approved 24 hours of paid Wellness Leave for eligible full-time regular employees not currently covered under Texas Government Code, Chapter 614.015, or Harris County Paid Mental Health leave approved by Commissioners Court on November 15, 2022. |
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8/6/2026 |
16 |
Approved amendments to the Harris County Personnel Policies and Procedures. |
Location:
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Precinct(s): Countywide
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Anticipated Court Date: 9/17/2026
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): TBD
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Erika Owens, HR Director, Human Resources and Talent
Attachments (if applicable): Proposed amendment language for Section 6.04 (Workplace Safety) and Section 12.044 (Wellness Leave) of the Harris County Personnel Policies & Procedures Manual