Purpose
To provide the Department of Transportation instructions for processing the 2017 Call-Out Response Payment.
Affected Employees
Employees of the Department of Transportation in the Operational Services Unit – BU03 who meet the eligibility criteria
Background
Chapter 491 of the Laws of 2011, which implemented the 2011-2016 Agreements between the State of New York and the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA), provides for a call-out response payment to eligible employees at the end of the season.
Effective Date(s)
Payment may be made beginning in Pay Period 5L, paychecks dated 06/28/17. Payment will be made in a separate check. There is no direct deposit for this payment.
Eligibility Criteria
In recognition of the necessity for employees of the Office of Transportation Systems Maintenance in the Department of Transportation engaged in winter maintenance activities to be responsive to unscheduled call-outs, those employees who were called out ten (10) or more times during the period November 1, 2016 to April 15, 2017 inclusive shall receive a call-out-response payment as follows:
| Responds To | Receives |
| 75% calls | $225 |
| 85% calls | $300 |
| 95% calls | $500 |
Agency Actions
To pay the 2017 Call-Out Response Payment to eligible employees, including employees who are currently inactive but were active during the season, agencies must submit the following information on the Time Entry page or the Time Entry Interface (NPAY502) using Earnings Code COB.
| Earnings Begin Date: | Active Employee – 05/18/17 Inactive Employee – last date the employee was Active |
| Earnings End Date: | Same as above |
| Earn Code: | COB |
| Amount: | Applicable Amount |
Tax Information
The 2017 Call-Out Response Payment (COB) is supplemental taxable wages, will be included in the employee’s taxable gross and is subject to all employment and income taxes.
Federal and State income tax withholding will be calculated using the Aggregate method. New York City and Yonkers income tax withholding will be calculated using the Flat Rate method. New York City Flat Rate withholding is 4.25%. Yonkers Flat Rate withholding is 1.61135% for Yonkers residents and 0.50% for Yonkers non-residents.
Retirement and Deduction Information
The 2017 Call-Out Response Payment is included as salary for retirement purposes. Deductions will be taken from the call-out response payment for normal retirement contributions, garnishments and federal levies.
Payroll Register and Employee’s Paycheck/Advice
The Earnings Code COB and the amount paid will be displayed on the Payroll Register. The Earnings Description Call Out Bonus and the amount paid will appear on the employee’s paycheck stub or direct deposit advice.
This payment will be made in a separate check regardless of when it is paid. The separate check will be issued with the employee’s regular paycheck or direct deposit advice based on information for that check date. There is no direct deposit for this payment.
Questions
Questions regarding this bulletin may be directed to the Payroll Earnings mailbox.