No. 34741 (Amendment): Rule R477-1. Definitions

(Amendment)

DAR File No.: 34741
Filed: 04/28/2011 04:51:59 PM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

A definition for "break in service" is added. The definition for "job series" is expanded to align with current practice. "Tangible Employment Action" is simplified for clarity.

Summary of the rule or change:

Subsection R477-1-1(16) adds "break in service" definition. In Subsection R477-1-1(62), "job series" is expanded to include jobs with different titles in the same functional area. In Subsection R477-1-1(99), "Tangible Employment Action" is simplified. Subsections are renumbered and alphabetized as necessary.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Section 67-19-6

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

These changes are administrative and do not directly impact state budgets.

local governments:

This rule only affects the executive branch of state government and will have no impact on local government.

small businesses:

This rule only affects the executive branch of state government and will have no impact on small businesses.

persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local governmental entities:

This rule only affects the executive branch of state government and will have no impact on other persons. This rule has no financial impact on state employees.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

This rule only affects agencies of the executive branch of state government.

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

Rules published by the Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM) have no direct effect on businesses or any entity outside state government. DHRM has authority to write rules only to the extent allowed by the Utah Personnel Management Act, Title 67, Chapter 19. This act limits the provisions of career service and these rules to employees of the executive branch of state government. The only possible impact may be a very slight, indirect effect if an agency passes costs or savings on to business through fees. However, it is anticipated that the minimal costs associated with these changes will be absorbed by agency budgets and will have no effect on business.

Jeff Herring, Executive Director

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Division of Administrative Rules, or at:

Human Resource Management
Administration
450 N MAIN ST
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84114-1201

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

• J.J. Acker at the above address, by phone at 801-537-9096, by FAX at 801-538-3081, or by Internet E-mail at [e-mail]

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

06/14/2011

Interested persons may attend a public hearing regarding this rule:

• 05/24/2011 09:00 AM, Senate Building (East), 420 N State Street (Capitol Hill), Beehive Room, Salt Lake City, UT

This rule may become effective on:

06/21/2011

Authorized by:

Jeff Herring, Executive Director

RULE TEXT

R477. Human Resource Management, Administration.

R477-1. Definitions.

R477-1-1. Definitions.

The following definitions apply throughout these rules unless otherwise indicated within the text of each rule.

(1) Abandonment of Position: An act of resignation resulting when an employee is absent from work for three consecutive working days without approval.

(2) Actual FTE: The total number of full time equivalents based on actual hours paid in the state payroll system.

(3) Actual Hours Worked: Time spent performing duties and responsibilities associated with the employee's job assignments.

(4) Actual Wage: The employee's assigned salary rate in the central personnel record maintained by the Department of Human Resource Management.

(5) Administrative Leave: Leave with pay granted to an employee at management discretion that is not charged against the employee's leave accounts.

(6) Administrative Adjustment: A DHRM approved change of a position from one job to another job or a salary range change for administrative purposes that is not based on a change of duties and responsibilities.

(7) Administrative Salary Decrease: A decrease in the current actual wage based on non-disciplinary administrative reasons determined by an agency head or commissioner.

(8) Administrative Salary Increase: An increase in the current actual wage based on special circumstances determined by an agency head or commissioner.

(9) Agency: An entity of state government that is:

(a) directed by an executive director, elected official or commissioner defined in Title 67, Chapter 22 or in other sections of the code;

(b) authorized to employ personnel; and

(c) subject to Title 67, Chapter 19, Utah State Personnel Management Act.

(10) Agency Head: The executive director or commissioner of each agency or a designated appointee.

(11) Agency Human Resource Field Office: An office of the Department of Human Resource Management located at another agency's facility.

(12) Agency Management: The agency head and all other officers or employees who have responsibility and authority to establish, implement, and manage agency policies and programs.

(13) Alternative State Application Program (ASAP): A program designed to appoint a qualified person with a disability through an on the job examination period.

(14) Appeal: A formal request to a higher level for reconsideration of a grievance decision.

(15) Appointing Authority: The officer, board, commission, person or group of persons authorized to make appointments in their agencies.

(16) Break in Service: A point at which an individual has an official separation date and is no longer employed by the State of Utah.

(1[6]7) Budgeted FTE: The total number of full time equivalents budgeted by the Legislature and approved by the Governor.

(1[7]8) Bumping: A procedure that may be applied prior to a reduction in force action (RIF). It allows employees with higher retention points to bump other employees with lower retention points as identified in the work force adjustment plan, as long as employees meet the eligibility criteria outlined in interchangeability of skills.

(1[8]9) Career Mobility: A time limited assignment of an employee to a different position for purposes of professional growth or fulfillment of specific organizational needs.

([19]20) Career Service Employee: An employee who has successfully completed a probationary period in a career service position.

(2[0]1) Career Service Exempt Employee: An employee appointed to work for a period of time, serving at the pleasure of the appointing authority, who may be separated from state employment at any time without just cause.

(2[1]2) Career Service Exempt Position: A position in state service exempted by law from provisions of career service under Section 67-19-15.

(2[2]3) Career Service Status: Status granted to employees who successfully complete a probationary period for career service positions.

(2[3]4) Category of Work: A job series within an agency designated by the agency head as having positions to be eliminated agency wide through a reduction in force. Category of work may be further reduced as follows:

(a) a unit smaller than the agency upon providing justification and rationale for approval, for example:

(i) unit number;

(ii) cost centers;

(iii) geographic locations;

(iv) agency programs.

(b) positions identified by a set of essential functions, for example:

(i) position analysis data;

(ii) certificates;

(iii) licenses;

(iv) special qualifications;

(v) degrees that are required or directly related to the position.

(2[4]5) Change of Workload: A change in position responsibilities and duties or a need to eliminate or create particular positions in an agency caused by legislative action, financial circumstances, or administrative reorganization.

(2[5]6) Classification Grievance: The approved procedure by which an agency or a career service employee may grieve a formal classification decision regarding the classification of a position.

(2[6]7) Classified Service: Positions that are subject to the classification and compensation provisions stipulated in Section 67-19-12.

(2[7]8) Classification Study: A Classification review conducted by DHRM under Section R477-3-4. A study may include single or multiple job or position reviews.

(2[8]9) Compensatory Time: Time off that is provided to an employee in lieu of monetary overtime compensation.

([29]30) Contractor: An individual who is contracted for service, is not supervised by a state supervisor, but is responsible for providing a specified service for a designated fee within a specified time. The contractor shall be responsible for paying all taxes and FICA payments, and may not accrue benefits.

(3[0]1) Critical Incident Drug or Alcohol Test: A drug or alcohol test conducted on an employee as a result of the behavior, action, or inaction of an employee that is of such seriousness it requires an immediate intervention on the part of management.

(3[1]2) Demotion: A disciplinary action resulting in a reduction of an employee's current actual wage.

(3[2]3) Detailed Position Record Management Report: A document that lists an agency's authorized positions, incumbent's name and hourly rate, job identification number, salary range, and schedule.

(3[3]4) DHRM: The Department of Human Resource Management.

(3[4]5) DHRM Approved Recruitment and Selection System: The state's recruitment and selection system, which is a centralized and automated computer system administered by the Department of Human Resource Management.

(3[5]6) Disability: Disability shall have the same definition found in the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, 42 USC 12101 (2008); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission regulation, 29 CFR 1630 (2008); including exclusions and modifications.

(3[6]7) Disciplinary Action: Action taken by management under Rule R477-11.

(3[7]8) Dismissal: A separation from state employment for cause under Section R477-11-2.

(3[8]9) Drug-Free Workplace Act: A 1988 congressional act, 34 CFR 84 (2008), requiring a drug-free workplace certification by state agencies that receive federal grants or contracts.

([39]40) Employee Personnel Files: For purposes of Title 67, Chapters 18 and 19, the files or records maintained by DHRM and agencies as required by Section R477-2-5. This does not include employee information maintained by supervisors.

(4[0]1) Employment Eligibility Verification: A requirement of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, 8 USC 1324 (1988) that employers verify the identity and eligibility of individuals for employment in the United States.

(4[1]2) "Escalator" Principle: Under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), returning veterans are entitled to return back onto their seniority escalator at the point they would have occupied had they not left state employment.

(4[2]3) Excess Hours: A category of compensable hours separate and apart from compensatory or overtime hours that accrue at straight time only when an employee's actual hours worked, plus additional hours paid, exceed an employee's normal work period.

(4[3]4) Fitness For Duty Evaluation: Evaluation, assessment or study by a licensed professional to determine if an individual is able to meet the performance or conduct standards required by the position held, or is a direct threat to the safety of self or others.

(4[4]5) FLSA Exempt: Employees who are exempt from the overtime and minimum wage provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

(4[5]6) FLSA Nonexempt: Employees who are not exempt from the overtime and minimum wage provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

(4[6]7) Follow Up Drug or Alcohol Test: Unannounced drug or alcohol tests conducted for up to five years on an employee who has previously tested positive or who has successfully completed a voluntary or required substance abuse treatment program.

(4[7]8) Furlough: A temporary leave of absence from duty without pay for budgetary reasons or lack of work.

(4[8]9) Grievance: A career service employee's claim or charge of the existence of injustice or oppression, including dismissal from employment resulting from an act, occurrence, omission, condition, discriminatory practice or unfair employment practice not including position classification or schedule assignment.

([49]50) Grievance Procedures: The statutory process of grievances and appeals as set forth in Sections 67-19a-101 through 67-19a-408 and the rules promulgated by the Career Service Review Office.

(51) Gross Compensation: Employee's total earnings, taxable and nontaxable, as shown on the employee's pay statement.

(5[0]2) Highly Sensitive Position: A position approved by DHRM that includes the performance of:

(a) safety sensitive functions:

(i) requiring an employee to operate a commercial motor vehicle under 49 CFR 383 (January 18, 2006);

(ii) directly related to law enforcement;

(iii) involving direct access or having control over direct access to controlled substances;

(iv) directly impacting the safety or welfare of the general public;

(v) requiring an employee to carry or have access to firearms; or

(b) data sensitive functions permitting or requiring an employee to access an individual's highly sensitive, personally identifiable, private information, including:

(i) financial assets, liabilities, and account information;

(ii) social security numbers;

(iii) wage information;

(iv) medical history;

(v) public assistance benefits; or

(vi) driver license

[ (51) Gross Compensation: Employee's total earnings, taxable and nontaxable, as shown on the employee's pay statement.

] (5[2]3) Hiring List: A list of qualified and interested applicants who are eligible to be considered for appointment or conditional appointment to a specific position created in the DHRM approved recruitment and selection system.

(5[3]4) HRE: Human Resource Enterprise; the state human resource management information system.

(5[4]5) Incompetence: Inadequacy or unsuitability in performance of assigned duties and responsibilities.

(5[5]6) Inefficiency: Wastefulness of government resources including time, energy, money, or staff resources or failure to maintain the required level of performance.

(5[6]7) Interchangeability of Skills: Employees are considered to have interchangeable skills only for those positions they have previously held successfully in Utah state government executive branch employment or for those positions which they have successfully supervised and for which they satisfy job requirements.

(5[7]8) Intern: An individual in a college degree or certification program assigned to work in an activity where on-the-job training or community service experience is accepted.

(5[8]9) Job: A group of positions similar in duties performed, in degree of supervision exercised or required, in requirements of training, experience, or skill and other characteristics. The same salary range is applied to each position in the group.

([59]60) Job Description: A document containing the duties, distinguishing characteristics, knowledge, skills, and other requirements for a job.

(6[0]1) Job Requirements: Skill requirements defined at the job level.

(6[1]2) Job Series: Two or more jobs in the same functional area having the same job title, but distinguished and defined by increasingly difficult levels of skills, responsibilities, knowledge and requirements ; or two or more jobs with different titles working in the same functional area that have licensure, certification or other requirements with increasingly difficult levels of skills, responsibilities, knowledge and requirements.

(6[2]3) Legislative Salary Adjustment: A legislatively approved salary increase for a specific category of employees based on criteria determined by the Legislature.

(6[3]4) Malfeasance: Intentional wrongdoing, deliberate violation of law or standard, or mismanagement of responsibilities.

(6[4]5) Market Based Bonus: One time lump sum monies given to a new hire or a current employee to encourage employment with the state.

(6[5]6) Market Comparability Adjustment: Legislatively approved change to a salary range for a job based on a compensation survey conducted by DHRM.

(6[6]7) Merit Increase: A legislatively approved and funded salary increase for employees to recognize and reward successful performance.

(6[7]8) Misconduct: Wrongful, improper, unacceptable, or unlawful conduct or behavior that is inconsistent with prevailing agency practices or the best interest of the agency.

(6[8]9) Misfeasance: The improper or unlawful performance of an act that is lawful or proper.

([69]70) Nonfeasance: Failure to perform either an official duty or legal requirement.

(7[0]1) Performance Evaluation: A formal, periodic evaluation of an employee's work performance.

(7[1]2) Performance Improvement Plan: A documented administrative action to address substandard performance of an employee under Section R477-10-2.

(7[2]3) Performance Management: The ongoing process of communication between the supervisor and the employee which defines work standards and expectations, and assesses performance leading to a formal annual performance evaluation.

(7[3]4) Performance Plan: A written summary of the standards and expectations required for the successful performance of each job duty or task. These standards normally include completion dates and qualitative and quantitative levels of performance expectations.

(7[4]5) Performance Standard: Specific, measurable, observable and attainable objectives that represent the level of performance to which an employee and supervisor are committed during an evaluation period.

(7[5]6) Personnel Adjudicatory Proceedings: The informal appeals procedure contained in Section 63G-4-2 for all human resource policies and practices not covered by the state employees grievance procedure promulgated by the Career Service Review Office, or the classification appeals procedure.

(7[6]7) Position: A unique set of duties and responsibilities identified by DHRM authorized job and position management numbers.

(7[7]8) Position Description: A document that describes the detailed tasks performed, as well as the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other requirements of a specific position.

(7[8]9) Position Identification Number: A unique number assigned to a position for FTE management.

([79]80) Post Accident Drug or Alcohol Test: A Drug or alcohol test conducted on an employee who is involved in a vehicle accident while on duty or driving a state vehicle:

(a) where a fatality occurs;

(b) where there is sufficient information to conclude that the employee was a contributing cause to an accident that results in bodily injury or property damage; or

(c) where there is reasonable suspicion that the employee had been driving while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance.

(8[0]1) Preemployment Drug Test: A drug test conducted on:

(a) final candidates for a highly sensitive position;

(b) employees who are final candidates for transfer or promotion from a non-highly sensitive position to a highly sensitive position; or

(c) employees who transfer or are promoted from one highly sensitive position to another highly sensitive position.

(8[1]2) Probationary Employee: An employee hired into a career service position who has not completed the required probationary period for that position.

(8[2]3) Probationary Period: A period of time considered part of the selection process, identified at the job level, the purpose of which is to allow management to evaluate an employee's ability to perform assigned duties and responsibilities and to determine if career service status should be granted.

(8[3]4) Proficiency: An employee's overall quality of work, productivity, skills demonstrated through work performance and other factors that relate to employee performance or conduct.

(8[4]5) Promotion: An action moving an employee from a position in one job to a position in another job having a higher salary range maximum.

(8[5]6) Protected Activity: Opposition to discrimination or participation in proceedings covered by the antidiscrimination statutes or the Utah State Grievance and Appeal Procedure. Harassment based on protected activity can constitute unlawful retaliation.

(8[6]7) Random Drug or Alcohol Test: Unannounced drug or alcohol testing of a sample of highly sensitive employees done in accordance with federal regulations or state rules, policies, and procedures, and conducted in a manner such that each highly sensitive employee has an equal chance of being selected for testing.

(8[7]8) Reappointment: Return to work of an individual from the reappointment register after separation from employment.

(8[8]9) Reappointment Register: A register of individuals who have prior to March 2, 2009:

(a) held career service status and been separated in a reduction in force;

(b) held career service status and accepted career service exempt positions without a break in service and were not retained, unless discharged for cause; or

(c) by Career Service Review Board decision been placed on the reappointment register.

([89]90) Reasonable Suspicion Drug or Alcohol Test: A drug or alcohol test conducted on an employee based on specific, contemporaneous, articulated observations concerning the appearance, behavior, speech or body odors of the employee.

(9[0]1) Reassignment: An action mandated by management moving an employee from one job or position to a different job or position with an equal or lesser salary range maximum for administrative reasons. A reassignment may not include a decrease in actual wage except as provided in federal or state law.

(9[1]2) Reclassification: A DHRM reallocation of a single position or multiple positions from one job to another job to reflect management initiated changes in duties and responsibilities.

(9[2]3) Reduction in Force: (RIF) Abolishment of positions resulting in the termination of career service staff. RIFs can occur due to inadequate funds, a change of workload, or a lack of work.

(9[3]4) Reemployment: Return to work of an employee who resigned or took military leave of absence from state employment to serve in the uniformed services covered under USERRA.

(9[4]5) Requisition: An electronic document used for HRE Online recruitment, selection and tracking purposes that includes specific information for a particular position, job seekers' applications, and a hiring list.

(9[5]6) Salary Range: An established minimum salary rate and maximum salary rate assigned to a job.

(9[6]7) Schedule: The determination of whether a position meets criteria stipulated in the Utah Code Annotated to be career service (schedule B) or career service exempt (schedule A).

(9[7]8) Settling Period: A sufficient amount of time, determined by agency management, for an employee to fully assume new or higher level duties required of a position.

(9[8]9) Tangible Employment Action: A significant change in employment status, such as firing, demotion, failure to promote, work reassignment, or a decision which changes benefits.[Any significant change in employment status e.g. hiring, firing, promotion, failure to promote, demotion, undesirable assignment, a decision causing a significant change in benefits, compensation decisions, and work assignment. Tangible employment action does not include insignificant changes in employment status such as a change in job title without a change in salary, benefits or duties].

([99]100) Transfer: An action not mandated by management moving an employee from one job or position to another job or position with an equal or lesser salary range maximum for which the employee qualifies. A transfer may include a decrease in actual wage.

(10[0]1) Uniformed Services: The United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard; Reserve units of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guard; Army National Guard or Air National Guard; Commissioned Corps of Public Health Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Disaster Medical Systems (NDMS) and any other category of persons designated by the President in time of war or emergency. Service in Uniformed Services includes: voluntary or involuntary duty, including active duty; active duty for training; initial active duty for training; inactive duty training; full-time National Guard duty; or absence from work for an examination to determine fitness for any of the above types of duty.

(10[1]2) Unlawful Discrimination: An action against an employee or applicant based on race, religion, national origin, color, sex, age, disability, protected activity under the anti-discrimination statutes, political affiliation, military status or affiliation, or any other factor, as prohibited by law.

(10[2]3) USERRA: Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (P.L. 103-353), requires state governments to re-employ eligible veterans who resigned or took a military leave of absence from state employment to serve in the uniformed services and who return to work within a specified time period after military discharge.

(10[3]4) Veteran: An individual who has served on active duty in the armed forces for more than 180 consecutive days, or was a member of a reserve component who served in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign medal has been authorized. Individuals must have been separated or retired under honorable conditions.

(10[4]5) Volunteer: Any person who donates services to the state or its subdivisions without pay or other compensation except actual and reasonable expenses incurred, as approved by the supervising agency.

 

KEY: personnel management, rules and procedures, definitions

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [August 9, 2010]2011

Notice of Continuation: June 9, 2007

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 67-19-6

 

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