Employee benefits change for on-the-job injuries

The City of Bellevue and the Bellevue Police Officers Guild are pleased to announce a change in city policy that will ensure Officer Kevin Bereta's existing medical coverage will continue over the coming months, giving him the chance to focus on recuperating and returning to the Police Department. This two-year interim solution will provide reimbursement for insurance premiums, available to Officer Bereta and any city employee who experiences a workplace injury or illness resulting in a temporary disability that prevents them from working sufficient hours to maintain benefits.  

The interim solution was selected because it could be implemented quickly, but the city plans to continue exploring a long-term change that would further support health benefits for employees in these unique situations. 

The interim solution has been agreed to by most of the unions at the city and is under consideration by the others. Together, the city and the guild were able to find a solution that better meets employee needs in a fiscally sustainable manner and can ultimately be administered equitably for all City of Bellevue employees who serve the community.

For further background on this topic, the city manager issued comments at the March 4 council meeting and again at the March 25 council meeting with updates on the city's efforts to assess and address these policy issues.