HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
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Q. I am already enrolled in the Flexible Spending Plan, do I have to reenroll?
A. Yes, you must reenroll in the Flexible Spending Account Program each year (even if you want your annual election to remain the same). To enroll or reenroll during Open Enrollment, November 2 to November 23, 2009 for 2010 Plan Year, go online to https://secure.asiflex.com (Employer-Provided Code Word: DE). For more information go to ben.omb.delaware.gov/fsa/ or contact your agency benefit representative.
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- Month August
Q. How do I get the two floating holidays?
A. In accordance with Section 56 of the Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Act, effective July 1, 2009, employees will be eligible for two floating holidays per fiscal year (July 1 to June 30). President's Day and Columbus Day are no longer State of Delaware holidays and State offices will be open for business on those days. The floating holidays provide employees a paid leave day taken at a time chosen by the employee and subject to approval consistent with other types of leave. The floating holiday, if not used, will not carry forward from one fiscal year to the next and you will not be paid for unused floating holidays when you separate from state employment. Please contact your agency Human Resource Office for more information if you were hired after July 1, 2009 or have other questions concerning the floating holidays. The policy for Floating Holidays can be found on the HRM website at http://www.delawarepersonnel.com/policies/.
- Month July
Q. Will my application be accepted for an in-house or merit only job posting while serving my initial probationary period?
A. No. In-house job postings provide the opportunity for all merit system employees within a Department to apply. Employees in the department who are not merit system employees are not eligible to be considered for these types of job postings. Merit only job postings provide for all merit system employees from any merit system agency to apply. The Merit Rule defines a merit employee as "an employee who has satisfactorily completed the initial probationary period for a classified position." The Merit Rule defines the initial probationary period as occurring "when an employee first enters the Merit service." Merit Rule 9.1 states that "after successful completion of an initial, one-year probationary period, the incumbent shall be a Merit employee."
- Month June
Q. If there is a reduction in wages effective July 1, 2009, will I benefit by retiring effective July 1st or can I still benefit by retiring later than July 1, 2009?
A. An important fact to remember is that pension benefits from the State Employees Pension Plan are based, in part, on the three highest periods of twelve consecutive months of earnings. Because earnings are calculated on a monthly basis, months that have more than two biweekly pay cycles are picked up as higher months of compensation.
The month of July 2009 has three pay cycles. This occurs again in December 2009 making 2009 a 27 bi-weekly pay cycle year. While a salary reduction effective July 1, 2009 will affect your sick leave and annual leave payout if your last working day is on or after July 1st, the increase in the pension creditable compensation by including July 2009 in the highest salary schedule helps offset the loss of termination pay due to possible salary reduction because July 2009 has an extra pay cycle and your pension would be calculated on an additional month of service.
For example, an employee who decides to retire August 1, 2009 (last day worked July 31st) versus retiring effective July 1, 2009 (last day worked June 30th) will lose money in the reduced sick leave and annual leave payout under the proposed salary reduction. However, the increase in monthly pension benefit by including July 2009 in the highest pension creditable compensation schedule helps recover the lost wages in nineteen months. After nineteen months* have passed, the employee is financially further ahead than if the employee had stopped working on June 30th and retired effective July 1st.
*The length of time to recoup may vary from employee to employee depending on the amount of sick and annual leave payout received.
Another factor to consider in making your decision is the change to your life insurance coverage through Minnesota Life, effective July 1, 2009. Anyone whose last day of employment with the State is on or before June 30, 2009 will be able to port 100% of their life insurance coverage in effect as of their last day of employment. Anyone whose last day of employment with the State is on or after July 1, 2009 will be able to port 50% of their life insurance coverage in effect as of their last day of employment.
More information about Delaware pensions can be found at www.delawarepensions.com or you may call the office at 739-4208 or toll free at 800-722-7300.
Q. Can I receive pension credit for CETA employment?
A. The Comprehensive Employment and Training Act Program (CETA) was a program created by the federal government to provide individuals a variety of services including classroom, and in 1973, on-the-job training, work experience, and job search and placement assistance. This program was funded by the federal government and administered by State and Local Governments.
One of the requirements of the CETA program stated that State and Local governments could not use funds from the program for retirement plans. That is, CETA funds, provided to the States could not be used to provide pension coverage for those positions. Therefore, an employee cannot receive pension credit for their CETA service with the Delaware pension system.
An exception to the above rule is if the employment was in a position that performed various administrative duties in the administration of the CETA program in which case that type of position might be eligible for pension coverage.
More information about Delaware pensions can be found at www.delawarepensions.com or you may call the office at 739-4208 or toll free at 800-722-7300.
- Month May
Q. Will I be able to make changes to my health plan or other benefits if Double State Share is eliminated after Open Enrollment?
A. If Double State Share is eliminated or modified to significantly change the contribution those who are currently eligible for Double State Share will be contacted to provide a period of time when they will be allowed to change their health plan if so desired.
Q. Will I be able to make changes to my health plan or other benefits if my salary is decreased as per the Governor's recommended salary decrease of 8%?
A. No, a decrease in salary is not a qualifying event that allows a change to your health plan other than during open enrollment as per Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Service code which regulates our health plans pre-tax deductions.
- Month April
Q. What is Military Caregiver Leave?
A. Military Caregiver Leave is non-paid leave for employees to care for a qualified military family member. Military Caregiver Leave allows an employee up to 26 workweeks of protected leave in a single 12 month period. Employees must use sick and annual leave concurrent with Military Caregiver Leave with the exception of one week of each.
- Month March
Q. What is Exigency Leave?
A. Exigency Leave is non-paid leave for employees to manage non-medical affairs while a covered family member prepares for or is on active duty in the National Guard or Reserves. Exigency leave is part of the Family and Medical Leave Act's 12 workweeks of protected leave. The seven basic qualifying reasons for exigency leave are: Short-notice deployment; Military events and related activities; Childcare arrangement and school activities; Financial and legal arrangements; Counseling by a non-medical counselor; Rest and recuperation; and Post-deployment military activities. Employees must use annual leave concurrent with Exigency Leave with the exception of one week.
- Month February
Q. To whom do I direct questions about my W-2?
A. You need to speak with your agency Human Resource Department if you have any questions about the information provided on your W-2 and your receipt or non-receipt of your W-2.
- Month January
Q. When will our W-2s be issued?
A. W-2s are mailed to employees' homes no later than January 31st each year. Please make sure your home address is correct with your agency human resource staff.
