- I
was just notified that my position is being eliminated in 30 days
due to reduction in force (RIF). Why wasn't I notified sooner?
The separating agency must provide
employees with a minimum of 30 calendar days official written notification.
As appropriate, an agency may notify an employee informally in advance
of the written notice.
- What
are my appeal rights?
An employee may challenge being
separated due to a RIF on the following basis: 1) Retaliation for
the employee's opposition to alleged discrimination on account of
the employee's age, sex, race, color, national origin, religion,
creed, political affiliation, or handicapping condition as defined
by Chapter 168A of the General Statutes.
2) Denial of veteran's preference in accordance with Article 13.
Career state employees may also appeal being denied priority re-employment
consideration in the selection process.
- Am
I eligible for unemployment benefits? How do I apply for benefits?
Yes, you may be eligible for
unemployment benefits if you are separated due to reduction in force.
Contact your local Employment Security Commission for details on
eligibility and how to apply for unemployment benefits.
- What
will happen to my health insurance?
If you have 12 cumulative months
of state service and are a participating member of the Retirement
System at the time of separation due to reduction in force, the
State will pay for your individual health insurance coverage for
up to 12 months following your separation. After this, you may apply
for continued coverage under the COBRA program. If you have dependent
coverage, it also may be continued on a contributory basis.
- How
long will I receive priority consideration?
You receive priority consideration
for up to 12 months following official written notification of separation
due to reduction in force.
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- When
does the priority consideration period begin?
An employee shall receive priority
consideration for a period of 12 months from the date of the official
written notification.
- Can
my priority period be extended if I do not find a job in 12 months?
No.
- What
happens to my sick leave?
You cannot be paid for accumulated
sick leave. However, your sick leave will be reinstated if you return
to state employment within five years from your separation date.
- When
will I be paid for my vacation leave?
Depending on when forms are
processed by the agency, vacation leave up to 240 hours may be paid
when the final check is issued or in the following month.
- I
have more than 240 hours of vacation leave. Will I be paid for all
my vacation leave?
You will be paid for up to 240
hours of vacation leave if you are separated due to reduction in
force. Any excess vacation leave you had at the time of the reduction
in force will be reinstated if reemployed in state government within
one year.
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- Will
I be paid for my bonus leave?
Yes, you will be paid for any
bonus leave if you are separated due to reduction in force. Payment
for your bonus leave is in addition to any vacation leave payout
you will receive.
- Will
I be paid for compensatory time that I have earned?
If you are an employee that
is subject to overtime compensation, you will receive payment for
any compensatory time you have earned but not used.
- Will
I lose priority consideration if I decline a job offer with a lower
salary grade?
No.
- Will
I lose severance pay if I decline a job offer with a lower salary
grade?
No.
- Am
I eligible for severance pay? Who makes this determination?
Employees eligible for severance
pay are those who have been reduced in force with one of the following
types of appointment (permanent full time, permanent part time working
20 hours or more, and trainees with six months service or more)
and have not obtained another permanent job in State government.
This also applies to employees in exempt positions who have been
separated due to a reduction in force. The Office of State Budget
and Management has the final authority to approve severance payments.
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- Will
my severance pay end if I accept a job in State government that is
a lower salary grade than the position I previously held?
Yes. An employee who is reemployed
in any permanent position with the State, or any other permanent
position that is funded in part or in whole by the State, while
receiving severance pay, will no longer be eligible to receive such
payment effective the date of reemployment.
- Will
my severance pay end if I accept a temporary job with State government?
No. An employee who is reemployed
in a temporary position with the State, while receiving severance
salary continuation, may remain eligible to receive severance salary
continuation.
- How
much severance pay will I receive?
The amount of severance pay
is determined by State Personnel Commission policy. It is based
on the annual salary and length of state service. Persons over the
age of 39 are also eligible for an additional amount of severance
based on age.
-
Will taxes be withheld from my severance pay?
State tax is not withheld until
the amount of severance payments reaches $35,000. All other applicable
taxes will be withheld as usual.
- I
have been in a time limited position for 28 months. Am I eligible
for priority consideration and severance pay?
No. Persons in time-limited
position are not eligible for RIF priority consideration nor severance
pay.
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- I
am in a banded position, but my competency level does not match the
position competency level. Which competency level (and associated
salary grade reference) is used to apply priority?
The employee receives priority
based on the employee's competency level and associated salary grade
reference.
- Can
I defer my severance pay to my supplemental savings plans (401K and
457)?
Severance pay is not eligible
to be deferred. The IRS 415 compensation rules states that post-severance
payments such as severance pay are not considered 415 compensation
under this rule and therefore cannot be deferred to supplemental
savings plans.
- If
an employee is separated, does the employee have to wait until the
end of the following month to receive their severance pay?
Pay out for severance pay will
begin when all the appropriate actions are completed and approved
within the payroll system. Severance salary continuation is paid
at the end of the next month following your separation date.
-
If an employee is separated due to RIF (and is eligible and has been
approved to receive severance) and a few weeks later secures a permanent
state position, does the employee forfeit the entire month of severance
pay or is the severance pay pro-rated?
Severance pay would be pro-rated
for the period of time from when the separation occurred to when
the employee was hired back into a state position.
- If
an employee is receiving short-term disability payments and is then
separated due to RIF, is the employee eligible to receive severance
pay and/or short-term disability payments?
We have consulted with staff
at the Retirement Division with the Department of the State Treasurer
and they have determined that short-term disability payments must
be offset by any severance pay the disabled employee would be eligible
to receive.
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