TDD# 1-800-846-5277

 

STATE OF LOUISIANA

DEPARTMENT OF STATE CIVIL SERVICE

BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA

 

January 9, 2007


 

General Circular No. 001683

 

To:                   Heads of State Agencies and Human Resource Directors

 

Subject:           Amendment to Rules 1.33, 6.16.1, 8.16(a) and 8.18, and Creation of Rule

6.16(h)

              

Issue Date:       January 9, 2007

 

The State Civil Service Commission will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, February 7, 2007 to consider adoption of a proposed amendment to Rules 1.33, 6.16.1, 8.16(a) and 8.18 and creation of Rule 6.16(h).

 

The hearing will begin at 9:00 a.m. and will be held in the auditorium of the Claiborne Building, 1201 Third Street, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

 

Consideration will be given to the following:

(changes in bold italics)

Amend Rule 1.33 Definition of Reassignment

 

1.33 ‘Reassignment’ means the change within the same department of a probationary or permanent employee from a position in one job to another position in a different job, both jobs of which have the same maximum rate of pay.

 

Explanation

 

The change to this definition is necessary in due to the change in Rule 8.16(a). 

 

 

Amend Rule 6.16.1

 

6.16.1 Rewards and Recognition

 

Subject to the provisions of Rule 6.29, an appointing authority may, at his discretion, implement a program of rewards and recognition for individual employees or for employee groups for significant achievement. Such rewards may be either monetary or non-monetary. If monetary, such rewards shall not exceed a total of 10% of the employees base salary within a fiscal year. Monetary rewards shall not be a part of the employee's base pay, but rather shall be a lump sum reward. Such reward and recognition programs shall be implemented in accordance with written policies and procedures established by each department. Such policies must receive advance approval from the Civil Service Commission and shall be posted in a manner that assures their availability to all employees. Such policies shall also include the public posting of all reward recipients.

Explanation

Appointing authorities may grant an additional 1% for Rewards and Recognition.  The cap for a lump sum payment would be revised from 9% to 10% of the employee’s base salary.

 

 

Amend Rule 8.16(a)

 

8.16(a) Reassignment

 

An appointing authority may reassign any probationary or permanent employee to a position with a different job title that has the same maximum rate of pay, provided the employee meets the qualification requirements of the job to which he is being assigned and has met Civil Service requirements for testing and competition.

 

Explanation

 

The change to 8.16(a) will change the determination of reassignment from the minimum of the job to the maximum of the job.  The maximum of the job is a truer reflection of the worth of the job than is the range minimum.  This will make the reassignment rule consistent with the rule on promotions.

 

 

 

 

Amend Rule 8.18

 

8.18 Noncompetitive Reemployment Based on Prior State Service.

(a) Subject to the provisions of Subsections (d), (e) and (f) hereof and with the approval of the Director, a former permanent employee who has been separated from the classified service may, within ten years from separation, be noncompetitively reemployed in any job for which he is qualified and which has the same or lower maximum salary as the current maximum for the job in which he had permanent status undergoes a change in title, other than an upward reallocation of the position after the employee separated from it, or undergoes a change in minimum requirements, he shall not lose his reemployment eligibility for such position or lower position in the same job series, if such exists, except where the qualification lacking is one required by law or under a recognized accreditation program.  In this case eligibility remains, even if the maximum pay has moved upward.  Further, he shall be eligible to be reemployed in any other job at the same or lower current maximum pay as the job to which his position changed in title, provided he meets the minimum qualification requirements.

 

Explanation

 

The change to 8.18 will change the determination of when a former employee can be noncompetitively reemployed from the minimum of the job to the maximum of the job.  The maximum of the job is a truer reflection of the worth of the job than is the range minimum.  This will make the noncompetitive reemployment rule consistent with the rule on promotions.

 

 

 

Create Rule 6.16(h)

 

6.16(h) Payment for Attainment of Advanced Degree

 

An appointing authority may approve a base pay increase of up to 10% for a permanent employee who attains a job related Master’s Degree, Ph.D., or their equivalent from an accredited college or university while employed at the Department, provided that a Department policy has been approved by the Civil Service Commission and the employee was not previously rewarded for attainment of the degree under another rule.

 

Explanation

 

This rule provides a vehicle for agencies wishing to reward employees who have attained advanced education in a field of study related to their job.  Currently, an Appointing Authority may grant payment for advanced degrees under Civil Service Rule 6.16(c) Special Pay Provision, provided the Civil Service Commission has approved a policy for the agency’s use.  This proposed rule clarifies that there is a provision for Payment for Attainment of an Advanced Degree, and establishes the parameter for its use.

 

If any accommodations are needed, please notify the Civil Service Department at (225) 342-8272 prior to the meeting.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

s/Anne S. Soileau

Director