MISSISSIPPI STATE EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK Published by the Mississippi State Personnel Board BOARD MEMBERS Donald G. Brown, Chairman Robert E. Jones, Vice Chairman L.H. Gibson Tommye Dale Favre EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Lynn Fitch Mississippi State Personnel Board Robert G. Clark, Jr. Building 301 North Lamar Street, Suite 203 Jackson, MS 39201 www.mspb.ms.gov Phone: (601) 359-1406 Fax: (601) 359-2729 Effective Date: 3/01/2010 MISSISSIPPI STATE PERSONNEL BOARD Lynn Fitch Executive Director Congratulations on your new job in Mississippi State Government! You are now a part of a vital team working to improve the lives of every citizen in our State. The Mississippi State Personnel Board continually seeks excellence in the delivery of our services to you. Whether it relates to career opportunities, benefits, training and development initiatives, or organizational policy directives, please reach out to us, give us feedback, challenge us, and hold us accountable for meeting your needs. I hope that you will find all of the information you need to make important employment related decisions in this Handbook. If you need additional assistance, please call us at 601-359-1406 or visit our website at www.mspb.ms.gov. Again, congratulations on your new job, and we look forward to serving you. Yours in Service, Lynn Fitch Executive Director TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 .............................................................................................................................. 1 WELCOME TO STATE GOVERNMENT ....................................................................................... 1 I. INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................................................ 1 II. STATEMENT OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT ................................................................................ 1 III. THE STATEWIDE PERSONNEL SYSTEM ............................................................................................................. 2 A. The Mississippi State Personnel Board ............................................................................................................. 2 B. MSPB Executive Director ....................................................................................................................................... 2 C. Personnel Advisory Council ................................................................................................................................. 3 D. Employee Appeals Board ...................................................................................................................................... 3 E. Personal Service Contract Review Board ......................................................................................................... 3 CHAPTER 2 .............................................................................................................................. 5 STATE EMPLOYMENT STATUS ................................................................................................. 5 I. STATE SERVICE EMPLOYMENT ............................................................................................................................ 5 II. NON-STATE SERVICE EMPLOYMENT .................................................................................................................. 5 III. NOTIFICATION OF STATUS FOR NON-STATE SERVICE EMPLOYMENT ..................................................... 5 IV. PROBATIONARY PERIOD AND TERMINATION AT WILL ............................................................................... 6 V. PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROBATIONARY EMPLOYEES ...................................................... 6 VI. GRIEVANCE AND APPEAL RIGHTS ....................................................................................................................... 6 VII. TRANSFER.................................................................................................................................................................. 6 CHAPTER 3 .............................................................................................................................. 7 HOLIDAYS AND LEAVE ............................................................................................................. 7 I. HOLIDAYS .................................................................................................................................................................. 7 II. LEAVE .......................................................................................................................................................................... 8 MSPB Handbook effective date: 03/01/2010 i A. Transfer of Leave Between State Agencies....................................................................................................... 8 B. Personal Leave ......................................................................................................................................................... 8 C. Major Medical Leave ............................................................................................................................................... 9 D. Compensatory Leave ........................................................................................................................................... 11 E. Administrative Leave .......................................................................................................................................... 12 F. Accumulated Leave Upon Retirement ............................................................................................................ 12 G. Leave Record Keeping ......................................................................................................................................... 13 H. Donated Leave ....................................................................................................................................................... 13 I. Family And Medical Leave Act Leave .............................................................................................................. 15 J. Leave of Absence .................................................................................................................................................. 21 K. Leave Without Pay ............................................................................................................................................... 22 L. Use Of Leave During Pregnancy ....................................................................................................................... 22 M. Military Leave ........................................................................................................................................................ 22 N. Educational Leave ................................................................................................................................................ 22 O. Mississippi Living Organ Donor Leave ........................................................................................................... 23 CHAPTER 4 ............................................................................................................................ 25 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS ............................................................................................................. 25 I. DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN ................................................................................................................... 25 II. WORKERS’ COMPENSATION .............................................................................................................................. 25 III. TRAVEL AND EXPENSES ...................................................................................................................................... 26 IV. SOCIAL SECURITY ................................................................................................................................................. 27 V. RETIREMENT ......................................................................................................................................................... 27 VI. INSURANCE ............................................................................................................................................................. 28 VII. CAFETERIA PLAN .................................................................................................................................................. 28 VIII. STATE CREDIT UNIONS ....................................................................................................................................... 28 IX. UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION .................................................................................................................. 29 MSPB Handbook effective date: 03/01/2010 ii CHAPTER 5 ............................................................................................................................ 31 STANDARDS OF EMPLOYEE CONDUCT .................................................................................. 31 I. EMPLOYEE WORK SCHEDULES ......................................................................................................................... 31 II. ATTENDANCE......................................................................................................................................................... 31 III. DILIGENCE