Purpose

To provide instructions for processing of the LLS payment for eligible employees in Bargaining Units 96 and 97

Affected Employees

Longevity-eligible employees in BU96 and BU97

Background

Pursuant to the SUNY Construction Fund’s Board Resolution a new LLS payment begins April 2010. The Longevity Lump Sum payment will be in the amount of $1,250 or $2,500.

Effective Date(s)

Payments may be submitted in Pay Period 26, paychecks dated April 28, 2010 (Administration). Payments will be paid in a separate check. There will be no direct deposit for this payment.

Eligibility Criteria

Employees in NS (SG 600) positions are eligible for payment provided the employee:

• Is on the payroll on March 31, 2010 (Active, on Paid Leave of Absence, or Military Stipend Leave) in a BU 96 (equated to GR17 or below) or BU97 position; and
• As of March 31, 2010, has five (5) or more or ten (10) or more years of continuous service* at a base annual salary equal to or greater than the Job Rate for the employee’s current grade; and
• Did not receive an “Unsatisfactory” evaluation on their last rating date. Employees who were not rated during the period are eligible to receive the payment.

*Continuous service, as used in determining eligibility for the LLS payment, is paid service (including part-time annual-salaried service, paid Military Leave and Sick Leave at Half Pay) or time on Workers’ Compensation Leave or Military Leave without Pay.

All employees that meet the eligibility criteria for BU96 as of 3/31/10 should be paid in April 2010 regardless of when they received their most recent performance advance. They will stay on that cycle and will not receive more than one payment in a fiscal year.

All employees that meet the eligibility criteria for BU97 as of 3/31/10 should be paid in April 2010 regardless of when they received their most recent performance advance. Once an employee receives a payment in either April or October, they will stay on that cycle and will not receive more than one payment in a fiscal year.

An employee who meets the initial continuous service eligibility requirement for payment in April 2010, but who received an “Unsatisfactory” evaluation on their last rating date will not receive a payment in April 2010 and will remain on the April payment cycle.

After 3/31/10, once an employee meets the initial five year continuous service eligibility in either April or October, they will stay on that cycle.

The following employees will become eligible for the LLS payment during 2010-2011:

• An employee who otherwise qualifies but is on an approved Leave of Absence without Pay or on a preferred list on March 31, 2010 and who returns from such leave between April 1, 2010 and March 31, 2011 is eligible for the payment. There is no minimum service requirement following the employee’s return to active payroll status. The agency should request the LLS payment in the same pay period the employee returns to active payroll status.
• Demotion after March 31, 2010 - An employee who is not eligible for the payment becomes eligible if the employee returns to a lower graded position between April 1, 2010 and March 31, 2011, provided the employee otherwise would have been eligible if the employee had been in the lower graded position on March 31, 2010 and remained in the lower graded position for at least six (6) pay periods; and
• The promotion was temporary and the employee has been reinstated to their previous position or has been appointed to another lower graded qualifying position; or
• The promotion was permanent, but the demotion occurred:
  • in lieu of layoff; or
  • voluntarily during the probationary period; or
  • as a result of failure of a probationary period.

The agency should request the LLS payment after the completion of six (6) full pay periods in the lower grade using the same effective date as the demotion.

An employee demoted as a result of a disciplinary action or who takes a voluntary demotion from a permanent position after the completion of a probationary period in the higher grade is not eligible for an LLS payment in the lower grade.

Agency Actions

The Agency must insert a row on the employee’s Additional Pay page using the Earnings Code LLS to make the payment. The payment amount is $1,250 for five (5) or more years and $2,500 for ten (10) or more years or a prorated amount, as described below:

• Employees who are full-time on March 31, 2010 or full-time employees who are on a Paid Leave of Absence, Military Stipend Leave or on a Voluntary Reduction in Work Schedule (VRWS) receive the full payment amount.

Note: For employees on the Voluntary Reduction in Work Schedule program, the agency must verify that the Full/Part Time Indicator on the Job Data/Job Information page is “Voluntary.”

• Employees who are part-time on March 31, 2010 receive a prorated payment based on the employee's part-time percentage on March 31, 2010.
• Part-time employees who are on a Paid Leave of Absence, or Military Stipend Leave on March 31, 2010 receive a prorated amount based on the employee's regular part-time percentage prior to the leave.

The Additional Pay page must be populated for eligible employees with the following:

*For example: If the agency enters a transaction in Pay Period 2L for an employee who returned to the payroll on April 10, 2010, the effective date is 4/10/10.

Increment Code Update

The agency must, in addition to submitting the LLS payment, submit a Job Action Request using the Action/Reason code of DTA/CIC (Data Change/Correct Increment Code) to establish an Increment Code in the employee’s Job Record indicating the year in which Job Rate was attained. The appropriate Increment Code must be entered in the Increment Code field.

Retirement and Overtime Calculation information

The LLS is a one-time, lump sum payment which is included as salary for retirement purposes and in the calculation of overtime compensation (refer to “Overtime Compensation,” Part III, Page 1 of the OSC Salary Manual). The 2010 Longevity Lump Sum payment will be included in the calculation of overtime earned from April 1, 2010 through March 31, 2011.

Taxes and Deductions

This payment is subject to Federal, State, and local income taxes and Social Security/Medicare employment taxes. Deductions will be taken for retirement normal contributions, garnishments and Federal levies.

Payroll Register and Employee’s Paycheck/Advice

The Earnings Code LLS and the amount will be displayed on the payroll register. The earnings description, Longevity LSP, and the amount will be printed on the employee’s paycheck.

This payment will be made in a separate check regardless of when paid. There will be no direct deposit for this payment. The separate check will be issued along with the employee’s regular paycheck or direct deposit advice for the check date submitted.

Questions

Questions regarding this bulletin may be directed to the Salary Determination mailbox.