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Posted on Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 6:03 a.m.

University of Michigan public safety director doesn't qualify for extended medical leave, policy shows

By David Jesse

University of Michigan Public Safety Director Kenneth Magee has been drawing a paycheck for the last three months while on medical leave, despite the fact that he apparently isn't qualified for it under university policy.

University policy states employees aren't eligible for longterm paid medical leave until they've been employed at U-M for two years — a requirement Magee fell about three weeks shy of meeting.

Kenneth-Magee.JPG

U-M Public Safety Director Kenneth Magee

It’s unclear whether an exception was made for Magee and for what reasons.

University spokesman Rick Fitzgerald was looking into the specifics of the situation, but was unable to provide answers from the university’s human resources department by late Monday. AnnArbor.com first raised the question of Magee’s eligibility with Fitzgerald on Friday.

Magee, who earns $182,000 annually, started his job as the public safety director on Nov. 14, 2008, according to various reports at the time. He went on medical leave on Oct. 27, 2010. Fitzgerald confirmed Monday afternoon that Magee is still on paid medical leave.

U-M’s standard practices guide says employees are eligible for 15 days of paid sick time each year until they’ve been at the university for two years, at which point they are eligible for six months of full-time pay and six months of half-pay.

Magee’s attorney, Nick Roumel, said Magee isn’t doing anything wrong.

“All I can (say is to) reiterate is that it’s an approved medical leave. He’s well beyond two years now,” Roumel said in an e-mail to AnnArbor.com.

However, the standards don’t count the time off.

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“Continuous service means service from the latest date of hire,” the standards said. “Times of absences and layoffs are not considered breaks in service for this purpose. However, the period of time of absence or layoff may not be counted in meeting the two years of service requirement. The two years must have been accumulated as of the last day worked.”

Questions about Magee’s leave were raised at Thursday’s Board of Regents meeting by a former U-M employee, who alleged Magee is on the leave while being investigated for inappropriate behavior.

Both the university and Roumel have said repeatedly there’s no investigation, and Magee is on paid medical leave.

AnnArbor.com submitted a Freedom of Information Act request for Magee’s personnel file and related documents prior to the U-M Regents’ meeting. The university denied the request for Magee’s personnel file under a provision in state law that exempts police personnel’s employment files from public disclosure. U-M also partially denied the request for other documents related to Magee, only releasing one e-mail from a deputy chief to the members of the police department telling them not to speculate about Magee’s absence.

This month, AnnArbor.com reporters have seen Magee apparently working on several occasions at Antelope Antiques & Coins in downtown Ann Arbor. He also filed an application with the county to register the business name Ann Arbor Magic at 255 E. Liberty St., the same location as the antique shop.

David Jesse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at davidjesse@annarbor.com or at 734-623-2534.

Comments

Edward Vielmetti

Thu, Feb 17, 2011 : 5:39 a.m.

DPS job has been posted <a href="http://umjobs.org/job_detail/55294/executive_director_department_of_public_safety" rel='nofollow'>http://umjobs.org/job_detail/55294/executive_director_department_of_public_safety</a>

Patricia G.

Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 2:08 p.m.

If you read some of the articles about Ken's history you would see that he has wonderful law enforcement background. He's saved several lives and led huge arrests in his past experience with the DEA. Give the man some credit!

Mark

Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 4:44 p.m.

Maybe the Standard Practice Guide at that level is like the Pirate Code &quot;sort of guidelines.&quot;

miranda

Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 3:25 p.m.

What a job of stonewalling, no one is talking. Just what did Chief McGee do to get the U of M so mad that they want to get rid of him? If he really had done something wrong he would have been fired, not on sick leave. Seems if it was something illegal the U of M would have no problem talking about it. Past illegal acts by employees had been well covered by the press. He must have really pissed off someone important. A few of the things that come to mind are the unexpected retirement of A.D. Martin right after he roughed up some of the ushers/guards at the football games. How about the trespassing order problems that didn't go over well. All of this must have gone across the police chief's desk. How about the U of M telling the real reason. They seem to be pulling the strings on this one. A lot of coverage being printed looks like it is coming from inside information. Electronic lynching anyone???

Mick52

Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 5:16 p.m.

Do the words &quot;negotiated settlement&quot; mean anything?

magnumpi

Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 3:13 a.m.

funny, for some reason that whole Martin/usher/guards scenario popped into my head when i first read this story.

UtrespassM

Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 12:39 a.m.

Administration's secrets: Example 1: We hire your attorney. {--&quot;Unfair? go and get an attorney.&quot; --&quot; Who is your lawyer? no tell? OK, we can find out.&quot; --&quot;Do you know? You attorney is going to drop your case and taking a U-M job&quot; --&quot; We have told you, stop fighting.&quot;}

trespass

Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 10:44 p.m.

He knows too many of the Administration's secrets, thus they will never fire him outright. Rather they will negotiate a soft landing that keeps him happy enough not to divulge his secrets. Just wait and see him get a disability retirement.

MiMan

Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 1:47 p.m.

I think time will tell. I think there is a lot of speculation but give it some time and all will work out. I believe the University understands how important the integrity of their DPS is and that drawing it out with these issues is compounding the distrust. Men and Women of DPS, you are doing fine. Do not let this get you down.

MiMan

Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 1:38 p.m.

Trespass. What is your deal? Stick to the topic. If you want drug testing, get it for all who work at and for public institutions.

trespass

Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 10:47 p.m.

You are doing fine but what about the officer that plead guilty to possession of cocaine? How about agreeing to random drug testing in your next contract so that we can feel comfortable that other officers are not on drugs while carrying guns.

Roadman

Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 3:36 a.m.

If he is working at an antique and coin shop while collecting medical leave pay that is something that needs to be investigated. It is no different when a workers comp carrier catches someone shoveling snow when thir back is supposedy injured. Of course, we do not know the basis of his medical leave. Maybe the other job he apparently has at Antelope is within his doctor's restrictons. There is explaining to do, however. This Mr. Magee makes a lot of dough at taxpayer's expense.

stunhsif

Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 3:17 a.m.

He is too sick to work at the U of M but healthy enough to set up and run a retail business which takes bookoo hours ? Obviously this does not add up. Time to cut all public funding for the the U of M. Besides they have a 5 billion dollar war chest put aside. Just another reason to dislike this University.

RobertinSaline

Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 3:12 a.m.

David Jesse: Who is running the department now while he is on leave? Org chart: <a href="http://police.umich.edu/docs/org_chart.pdf" rel='nofollow'>http://police.umich.edu/docs/org_chart.pdf</a>

BooBlue

Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 1:04 a.m.

Ken is a close friend of Regent White. They grew up together. No wonder he doesn't have to play by the rules

Trouble

Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 12:10 a.m.

Amazing... it takes an Ann Arbor.com reporter to discover that U of M's Public Safety Director should not have been given paid medical leave. Yet it takes U of M's Human Resources Dept. (with numerous staff) an entire day if not more to try and figure it out. The appearance of this situation ( the Director working; or standing behind a counter not working but appearing to be working; or running around applying for arrangements for a magic shop business; but certainly not standing behind a counter at the U of M Public Safety Dept. assisting students, staff and employees; or whatever.) smells of a cover up. And... those who know what is going on and are watching intently; (the men and women of the U of M Public Safety Dept.) are being given a strong message about behavior condoned. To be off work on a medical leave for such a long period of time, with no explanation is perhaps understandable for one in the private sector. However when accepting public funding from tax payers, an explanation is expected, warranted and deserved. It's 2011, and shame on U of M.

Momma G

Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 12:02 a.m.

I agree with Cash, we taxpayers shouldn't be paying for someone who isn't on a legal &quot;medical&quot; leave. He should be made to pay back the money he has been paid while on leave. Let's get it together Mary Sue

pu2um

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 11:02 p.m.

Never understood why Magee got the job, his skill set and resume did not match what university communities usually look for in their police chief. The second choice candidate, Laura Wilson, Stanford's director of public safety, seemed like a much better fit. According to Hank Baier, what was &quot;most impressive to us was he grew up in the community.&quot; Sounds like the administration believed they could count on a &quot;townie&quot; to do whatever they wanted. Same goes for for General Counsel Scarnecchia. It can't be a coincidence that the two top legal positions at the UM are held by those well indoctrinated in the ways of maize and blue. This debacle may have started with some inappropriate behavior on the part of Magee, but it looks like he has the upper hand now and doesn't mind flaunting it. Just look at the number of former employees who have to sue the UM in attempt to secure their FMLA rights.

Mick52

Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 5:13 p.m.

You sound quite well knowledgeable about what is up over there. I suppose when you must do a &quot;nationwide search&quot; because that way you look like the best and brightest want to come to your institution, this is what happens. I would not say Mr. Magee has the upper hand.

Random Man

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 10:43 p.m.

I really would like to know if the reason for his medicalleave is legitimate. I realize that the individual is allowed his privacy but he is a public figure and there seems to be a question of fruad here. If he has a valid reason it would help put the story into perspective. If the reason is not valid than it leads to further questioning along the lines of fraud, misallocation of funds and if he is being given a hush deal to disappear.

Mick52

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 9:33 p.m.

David, David, David.....the title of the policy is The Standard Practice Guide as you noted in your story. The title alone indicated flexibility. To be standard allows for non standard too, if justified or approved or deemed appropriate. Also to write this: &quot;It's unclear whether an exception was made for Magee and for what reasons.&quot; Huh? I would say it is you job to make it clear. As long as you rely on asking a lawyer and the institution making the decisions, you will not be able to make it clear. Go to the library and check out this book: &quot;All the President's Men&quot; by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. Concentrate on the &quot;unnamed sources&quot; and &quot;confidential sources&quot; stuff. Read it, learn it, live it. Remind spokespersons that the Ten Commandments indicate they can go to hell for lying. That should get the truth out, eh? You might also pull out the standard practice guide and see if one has to be employed for two years to obtain the extended sick leave benefit you can get if you pay for it. The one you mentioned is standard benefit available to all or most employees which kicks in after two years. The other is better but there are premiums.

Mick52

Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 5:11 p.m.

You know, another good reason to put something under the terms of medical leave is that the information is protected from release under HIPPA.

Mick52

Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 5:10 p.m.

Nope Cash, the standards are just that, standards. Not unbendable unless noted as such. There always have been a lot of circumstances where allowances are made upon request. It happens all the time based on circumstances. Despite what is in the story here, the situation between UM and Mr Magee are confidential and apparently well negotiated. Mr Roumel spent many years as a staff attorney at Student Legal Services at UM and knows UM practice quite well.

Cash

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 10:24 p.m.

Mick52, The Standards are set to be FOLLOWED. Otherwise there would be no standards. Don't you think his&quot;spokesman&quot; employment lawyer would mention if he was PAYING for anything? Or if his leave was different? Lawyers don't miss an opportunity to make their client look good. No excuses. Regardless NO ONE EVER gets a medical leave and is allowed to work somewhere else!! No one ever. He can say his work at the store is his hobby....that' s ridiculous. There are workers everywhere fired for being caught by PIs for working while on medical. There have been many excuses given. None of them hold water. This is a waste of taxpayer and student funds. And this kind of stuff needs to stop. And by the way, who really believes that repeating the ten commandments to the university mouthpieces would suddenly get to the truth? Come on.

that's a tuffy

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 9:30 p.m.

I hope there is a logical explanation for all of this, there must be more to the story. Read the Michigan Daily article from 1/21/09, Ken has a history that reads like a Dirk Pitt novel. The guy is a hero. You can't blame him for getting paid too much.

average joe

Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 2:02 a.m.

Wow- After reading the Michigan Daily article, this man has had a life full of exciting experiences. He always seemed to be in the right place at the right time. Just call him Forest Gump.

Cash

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 10:07 p.m.

Yes I can. We cannot afford it. We don't need Superman to run the cop shop at UM.

trespass

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 9:08 p.m.

The leave was very sudden because the day before he left, he told another local Chief that he would be attending a ceremony where on of the UM officers was receiving an award. Later that day he called back and said he was leaving on sick leave (source: personal conversation with said Chief)

24News

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 8:37 p.m.

I found this in the Lansing State Journal for the police chief that was just hired. Lansing's police department has approximately 250 sworn officers and 100 civilian employees. The department's annual budget is approximately $33 million. The police chief's salary was advertised at $79,398 to $119,140 annually. Mr. Jesse, can you compare the UM Public Safety Dept. ???

trespass

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 9:57 p.m.

I believe there are more than 50 sworn officers but there are also quite a few security officers and parking enforcement officers who are not sworn.

Mick52

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 9:50 p.m.

A lot more than 14

John B.

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 9:25 p.m.

I believe someone stated previously that UM has 14 Campus Police officers? Can anyone confirm that?

UtrespassM

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 8:02 p.m.

I don't think that U-M would have investigated Mr. Magee's inappropriate behavior which people talked about. If the investigation has done, I bet the investigator is also on &quot; medical leave&quot; now.

survivor

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 8:02 p.m.

Maybe , Mr. Magee had three weeks of vacation time to use before he went on Medical ?

Cash

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 9:09 p.m.

His medical leave is dated Oct 27th. If he was on vacation leave for 3 weeks, his leave would have been dated three weeks later. But good try. :-)

Dawn

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 8:42 p.m.

I think that would have been mentioned by the university or Magee's attorney.

15crown00

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 7:52 p.m.

Wow this dude is PLAYING the mighty Blue Brains big time.Either he can work or he can't work.If he was wrongly granted this leave because he didn't have enough time on the job he must come back YESTERDAY or be terminated. Sounds like he was paid for three months he wasn't entitled to. To top it off he's Double Dipping and may soon be Triple Dipping all under the watchful eye of Mary Sue.

Cash

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 7:43 p.m.

Attention all U of M employees: It is now acceptable practice to get a PAID medical leave and work elsewhere. So take a leave and go work at EMU or WCC and draw 2 salaries! It is now acceptable practice to get medical leave before two years of service is completed. So fairly new to U of M and not feeling well? Take a PAID medical leave! It's on the house! Go for it! Have a cold or catch the flu, Take a leave says Mary Sue. I will pay you... have no fear, Public money isn't dear, We have a lot... we tend to burn it, No administrator needs to earn it.

Cash

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 10:46 p.m.

Magee, who earns $182,000 annually, has been on paid medical leave since Oct. 27. Fitzgerald confirmed Monday afternoon that Magee is still on paid medical leave.

DBH

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 10:08 p.m.

Because, Mick52, the story states that &quot;Fitzgerald confirmed Monday afternoon that Magee is still on paid medical leave.&quot; How is that unclear?

Mick52

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 9:49 p.m.

How do you know he is being paid. Unpaid sick leave does exist.

Sallyxyz

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 7:06 p.m.

Let's keep the UM honest. This kind of thing happens all the time at the UM. Highly paid &quot;directors&quot; of units don't have to play by the same rules as the &quot;worker bees&quot; under them. This sounds very suspicious, perhaps a &quot;medical&quot; leave being used while possible wrongdoings are investigated.........nice to get that paycheck and all those fat benefits courtesy of the taxpayers and students. "All I can (say is to) reiterate is that it's an approved medical leave. He's well beyond two years now," Roumel said in an e-mail to AnnArbor.com. Tell his attorney that the requirement is to serve 2 years BEFORE you are eligible for the paid medical leave. Of course, after being on medical leave a few months, and adding that time to the time worked before the leave might add up to 2 years, but that's not the rule. But, then again, these rules are only for the peons at UM, not the high flyers. Glad this came out in the news. Ann Arbor dot com: there are a ton of these kinds of things going on at the UM. It's a two-tiered system, and rules only apply to the little guys, not the unit directors and executives. Of course, you won't find that in writing anywhere, only in practice. Never fear, UM will spin this somehow and make it look like the rules were followed. UM is using a paid medical leave as a cover while they investigate allegations of inappropriate behavior and they allowed the paid leave in spite of the fact that he had not worked 2 years. Is it really a medical reason? If he is setting up a business in downtown A2, then it sounds like he is not too sick or injured to function and, maybe even work! This smells like a cover-up for a higher level employee, who has a lawyer. If this was just a medical leave and all rules were being followed, then why would he need a lawyer!

Roadman

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 6:52 p.m.

Magee earns $182,000.00 annually. He earns more than the governor. He also earns more than the FBI director; the last time I checked the FBI director earned $141,000 per year. What does this fellow do to merit such pay?

Cash

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 7:47 p.m.

Governor $177,000 Gov. Granholm returns 5% to the General Fund Lieutenant Governor $123,900 John Cherry Secretary of State $124,900 Terri Lynn Land Attorney General $124,900 Mike Cox Treasurer $174,204

Eep

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 7:04 p.m.

$165,300 is the current pay for the FBI Director. See: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_Schedule" rel='nofollow'>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_Schedule</a>

limmy

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 6:20 p.m.

My guess is that a supervisor/manager signed for the paid leave without checking the rules. That happens all of the time at U of M.

snoper

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 4:55 p.m.

Slow day for news? Yeah, right, Mr. Haynes. The University squandering one hundred eighty two thousand taxpayer dollars (plus benefits!) really isn't very newsworthy.

Cash

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 10:33 p.m.

Magee, who earns $182,000 annually, has been on paid medical leave since Oct. 27. Meanwhile, Magee has filed paperwork with the Washtenaw County Clerk's Office to open a magic business in downtown Ann Arbor.

Mick52

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 9:47 p.m.

How do you know he is still being paid?

UtrespassM

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 3:35 p.m.

A staff could be inforced to take a medical leave becuse he or she had done something right but made someone unhappy, and this unhappy some is &quot;important&quot; to the university. In the last two years, Mr. Magee had done a lot for the university good or bad. His attory Nick Roumel knows U-M's soft spots

magnumpi

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 7:59 p.m.

hmmm.....the plot thickens.....

Pablo

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 2:50 p.m.

...must be a slow day for news...hmm...

Cash

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 5:33 p.m.

I would say for my part, this is the BEST possible use of our local media....that is to get out the information regarding waste of taxpayer money by public employers. I really appreciate the work that Mr Jesse is doing on this story. I am sure in time he will be able to drill through the stone wall and get to the REAL story here.

Jaime

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 2:41 p.m.

Does the University just pay the salary out of its own funds (ie self insured) or do they have long term disability insurance through an insurance provider? If they are self insured, they need to do a better job of compliance. If they have an outside policy, I am sure the insurer would like to investigate this further. Something is rotten in Denmark.

Craig Lounsbury

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 5:42 p.m.

excellent question with respect to who's actually footing the bill for his salary.

David Briegel

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 2:33 p.m.

There is something else going on here. Is there a settlement in the works? What was his performance like? All the nonsense at the Stadium? Closing Main St? Guns in the Stadium?

average joe

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 2:21 p.m.

I don't see any stories from U/M 'press releases'of how the campus crime rate has gone up since this guy went on leave. So if anything, this employee's medical leave shows that perhaps the u/m doesn't need to pay someone $180,000 to run their Police dept. , and are over staffed, &amp; over budgeted. I wouldn't be surprised if this person knows something about &quot;high-profile&quot; people at U/M that isn't reflective of &quot;the Leaders &amp; Best&quot; motto, &amp; that is why he hasn't been questioned by U/M about his working at another job, &amp; was able to bend the employee polices easily.

Cash

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 10:32 p.m.

Magee, who earns $182,000 annually, has been on paid medical leave since Oct. 27. Meanwhile, Magee has filed paperwork with the Washtenaw County Clerk's Office to open a magic business in downtown Ann Arbor.

Mick52

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 9:46 p.m.

How do you know he is still being paid?

24News

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 2:15 p.m.

I think everyone is missing the big point. $182,000 a year to watch over drunk students. This has to be the biggest paid cake job in criminal justice in the state!! Lower my tuition!!!

Cash

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 6:05 p.m.

Oh no that point isn't lost at all. I would say that is WAY to high a salary for that job. And it is much worse when he is getting paid for it while he isn't doing it.....and he's working at a store downtown. Oh and he wasn't entitled to his leave according to policy.

Ellen

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 3:38 p.m.

where can I get a job like that?!

magnumpi

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 2:14 p.m.

Something is not passing the smell test. Curious that a &quot;former&quot; UM employee brought this to the Regents attention. Hey UM &amp; Roumel, where there's smoke there's fire

Cash

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 10:30 p.m.

Thank God for Whistle Blowers!!!

Mick52

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 9:45 p.m.

I would like to know who that rascal is and how he knew about this.

Brad

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 1:30 p.m.

Lawyer: &quot;all I can reiterate is that's our story, and we're sticking to it!&quot; Your tax and tuition dollars at work.

Random Man

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 1:16 p.m.

What is the reason for the medical leave?

Mick52

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 9:44 p.m.

Excellent answer Barb. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 is the federal law that keeps med info protected.

Barb

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 2:16 p.m.

Uh, that would be none of our business. While I am curious about this as the rest of us, he is entitles to privacy about medical issues.

P.T.

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 1:15 p.m.

My spouse is on medical leave after a surgical procedure. He has to sign a form every week that he is not working anywhere else before he gets his little disability check, and he has been on this job for 24 years. Why is the UM so lenient here?

average joe

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 1:20 p.m.

arrogance.

SMAIVE

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 1:11 p.m.

&quot;state law exempts police personnel's employment files from public disclosure&quot; The reason being what exactly?

Mick52

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 9:39 p.m.

Addresses and phone numbers.

Craig Lounsbury

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 1:03 p.m.

I guess its a good thing this isn't the athletic department. &quot;Stealing&quot; from tax payers is easier than cheating the NCAA.

DDOT1962

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 1:03 p.m.

This comment is broadening the topic of the above news story a bit, but doesn't it seem as if the benefits of employment generally improve once you've crossed the six figure threshhold in income? It might be my imagination, but I believe we bestow many more perks and allow much more latitude in the application of their rules for employment. Wage-earners must abide much more draconian oversight. This is true in the private as well as public sector. Hardly seems fair, does it?

loves_fall

Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 4:25 p.m.

Yeah, it's interesting. More interesting to compare health system salaries via the salary supplement before and during the year of the &quot;pay freeze&quot; and see whose pay got frozen and whose didn't. Pretty sure that pay was not frozen, just allocated according to a different schedule.

Forever27

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 1:51 p.m.

Having worked at the university for a a few years that is exactly what I've seen; those at the top in every department get taken care of. Meanwhile every year when the merit increases are to be announced we are suddenly strapped for cash and the uncleaned masses get little or nothing.

Craig Lounsbury

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 1:10 p.m.

all people are created equal...its just that some are more equal than others.

Cash

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 12:56 p.m.

Marcus, Bets they don't allow them to work elsewhere while medically &quot;unable to work&quot;! And really, California is in worse shape financially than Michigan. And the State of Michigan doesn't write the employment policy for U of M....university administrators did that. And then they violate it for one of their own.

Oregon39_Michigan7

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 6:25 p.m.

Whether Cali is in worse or better shape that Michigan is debatable ... but Oregon and Washington are better off. Anyways, ya this guy is violating UM's policy, so that leads me to believe that the State of Michigan's policy on medical leave is probably worse. The States out West have made it a policy to give ALL employers sick time after a short period of employment. If there was wide spread abuse of this you know and I know they would get rid of it. But since it's still around I'm guessing it works ok. Hmm, worker's rights and protection keeping skilled employees around and not moving? I'll take it

Oregon39_Michigan7

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 12:50 p.m.

Psst. Want to know a reason why people leave Michigan? Here's one. All three West Coast States (Washington, Oregon, and California), by State law (not unions), allow for long-term medical leave after 6 months of employment.

Cash

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 10:27 p.m.

Marcus there are lots of places offering medical leave...not everyone offers PAID leave.

Cash

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 12:04 p.m.

Good job keeping taxpayers informed, Mr Jesse. Thank you. Let's see: 1. He is working somewhere else while on medical leave with another employer in violation of U of M policy. 2. He was never entitled to the medical leave because he wasn't employed for the stated period required by the U of M policy. 3. His $182,000.00 salary is paid by taxpayers and students paying tuition. Mary Sue, You've got some 'splaining to do. If I may for one moment speak for a majority of taxpayers and say.....we do not have money to waste. Michigan taxpayers are suffering. We would appreciate it if you would stop wasting our hard-earned money.

ronaldduck

Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 11:34 a.m.

WOW, a year of sick time after 2 years service!