Iowa Department for the Blind
Proposed IDB Manual Updates

Change #1

The following section is to be added to the IDB Manual: 

3.24 No purchase of goods of services shall be made on behalf of IDB from any agency, community rehabilitation program, or other business holding a current certificate under section 14C of the Fair Labor Standards Act which allows that employer to pay workers with disabilities less than the minimum wage.

Change #2

Section 5.10, which currently reads:

5.10 Employees are entitled to a 15-minute paid break during the first half of the work shift and another 15-minute paid break during the second half of the shift. Breaks will be scheduled near the midpoint of the first half and the midpoint of the second half of the shift or combined with lunch to create a longer lunch break if the employee and supervisor agree to this arrangement. In some situations, the supervisor may allow the employee to make up lost time (i.e. to “flex time”), but in such cases, the employee must obtain the supervisor’s approval by providing justification based on the needs of the work unit. Employees may not take paid or unpaid breaks for the purpose of shortening the work shift. 

Is being changed to read:

5.10 Break and lunch times will be cooperatively determined by employee and supervisor based on the needs of the particular position in order to provide the best possible service to blind Iowans. While quality of service is the primary consideration, IDB supervisors and employees will make every effort to allow for a schedule that fits with the employee’s work preferences and promotes a healthy work/life balance. Attending trainings or conferences may alter an employee’s typical work schedule. Employees participating in continuing education in the Orientation Center as outlined in Section 1 of this manual will need to make arrangements with the center director to allow for travel time, time sheet completion, and other office tasks in a way that works best with the center class schedule. All flex time, comp time, and overtime must be approved by an employee’s supervisor prior to being scheduled or taken.