The Mesquite City Council has approved a new benefit for city employees.
City workers who deal with a traumatic event in the line of duty will be able to see a mental health counselor by using mental health leave without drawing on their regular sick leave or vacation time.
The Texas Legislature passed the Traumatic Leave Act last year. It was intended to direct cities to offer leave to police officers and other peace officers after a traumatic event on the job. Mesquite's new policy will apply not just to police officers but to all city employees.
"Knowing that firefighters, public safety dispatchers and other civilian employees are likely to experience traumatic events while providing service, it was important to our City Council to provide coverage to all City employees," said Mesquite City Manager Cliff Keheley. "The health and safety of our employees is of the highest priority for our organization."
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