The City of Harrisonburg Human Resources Department, joined by the Benefits Study Committee, conducted an organization-wide initiative in early 2024 to understand what benefits City employees would like to see enhanced or added, and what pressures they are experiencing in their lives and the lives of their families or loved ones that could be positively impacted by benefits. That process resulted in approximately 30 recommendations that now must be studied and evaluated before they can be considered for implementation. Additional recommendations that were provided by employees less frequently will be evaluated at a later date.
Input was gained through multiple avenues. All City employees had the opportunity to take part in a Benefits Study Listening Session, of which 70 were offered. More than 600 City employees attended such a session. Additionally, employees had the opportunity to complete an online survey focused on City benefits and what employees would like to see added. Finally, any employee could request a private one-on-one meeting with Human Resources to discuss their benefits needs. The complete report with all data received during the Benefits Study is available for your review here: Benefits Study Report [4.9MB]. The report includes a complete list of recommendations currently planned for evaluation along with the timeframe for when the Benefits Study Committee estimates they will be evaluated
Recommendations Approved Fiscal Year 2024-2025:
- Parental Leave Policy - Effective January 1, 2025 [2MB]
- Parental Leave Frequently Asked Questions [310KB]
New Recommendations Approved Fiscal Year 2025-2026:
- Section 6 – Benefits – Leave Related – Various Effective Dates (See Policy) [1MB]
- HRPM #13 – Family Medical Leave – Effective October 1, 2025 [1MB]
- HRPM #16 – Administration of Military Leave – Effective October 1, 2025 [1MB]
- Section 7 – Education & Training (7.3) – Effective January 1, 2026 [767KB]
- HRPM #17 – Education & Training – Effective January 1, 2026 [1MB]
FAQs and Additional Information on Benefits Enhancements:
- Policy Summary & Implementation FAQs - High Priority/Short-Term Evaluation Items [294KB]
- Vacation & Sick Leave for All - Leave Chart - Effective October 1, 2025 [97KB]
Recommendations Currently Under Evaluation (As of August 2025):
- Health Insurance - Cost/Coverage
- Retiree Health
- Leave (For Part-Time Employees)
- 457 Employer Contribution/Match
- Sick Leave Donation
- Pet Insurance
- Housing Assistance/Homebuyer Assistance/Commuter Assistance
- Insurance for Part-Time Employees
- City Benefits - Parks & Rec
- Emergency & Inclement Weather
- Flexible Spending Account
- Health Savings Account
- Gym Membership
More recommendations will be added here as those efforts move forward.
Additional Documents:
- Listening Session Data - Activity #3 - Benefit Frequency - Full-time Employees [16MB]
- Listening Session Data - Activity #3 - Benefit Frequency - Part-time Employees [4.5MB]
- City Employee Benefits Guide [2.9MB]
The City’s Benefits Study is a goal of the Human Resources Strategic Plan. To continue to monitor the work of the Executive Leadership Team, Deputy Leadership Team, and Benefits Study Group related to the ongoing Benefits Study implementation, check back periodically. In addition, please read the Human Resources Newsletter, published monthly, for continued updates.