State sets pay dates for longevity awards

The Office of the State Comptroller has issued a payroll bulletin directing the 2005 performance (longevity) awards be paid to state employees in separate checks on April 20 for those on the administrative payroll and on April 28 for those on the payroll for institutions. These payments will not be directly deposited in employees’ bank accounts. 

The awards for five years or more at the job rate are $1,250 and that doubles when you have 10 years or more at the job rate.

To be eligible for a performance award, PS&T employees must meet the following criteria: 
• Be on the payroll on March 31, 2005 (in active service, or on leave with partial pay, or on workers’ compensation or military leave); 

• Have five or more, or 10 or more years of continuous service at a salary equal to or above the job rate, or the maximum of the grade of their position on March 31, 2005. Continuous service is defined as paid service (including part-time annual-salaried service and sick leave at half pay) or time on workers’ comp leave or military leave without pay; and 
• Not have received an “unsatisfactory” rating during the rating period ending between January 1 and December 31, 2004. Employees who were not rated during the period will receive the payment. 

Employees who were full-time on March 31, 2005, or full-time employees who are on leave with partial pay, workers’ comp leave, military leave, or on a voluntary reduction in work schedule (VRWS) will receive the full payment. 

The awards are prorated for part-time employees based on their level of part-time service on March 31, 2005. 

For answers to questions about the payment schedule or award eligibility call the PEF Contract Administration Department at 1-800-342-4306, ext. 223. — Sherry Halbrook