Purpose
To explain the guidelines and processing procedures for merit awards for the 1999-2000 fiscal year
Affected Employees
Full and part time annual employees designated Management/ Confidential (NU06), employees of Public Employment Relations Board in NU66 and employees in the Division of Military and Naval Affairs in NU46, except elected officials or employees covered by Section 169 of the Executive Law.
Effective Date
Immediately
References
Budget Bulletin D-1099, June 25, 1999, "1999-2000 M/C Performance Advances, Merit Awards and Longevity Payments"
Budget Policy and Reporting Manual, Item D-280, 6/26/99, "Performance Advances and Merit Awards for Managerial or Confidential Employees"
Federal Fair Labor Standards Act, 29 U.S.C. Section 207 (e)(3)(a); 29 C.F.R. Section 778.211, "Payments That May Be Excluded From the 'Regular Rate'"
Cash Merit Award Guidelines
The Cash Merit Award is a lump sum payment which is not added to the employee's basic annual salary.
Employees must have been paid from an M/C position during the current or prior fiscal year in order to be eligible for a Cash Merit Award.
Eligible employees may receive cash merit awards at any time during this fiscal year.
An individual employee may receive more than one cash merit award during this fiscal year.
Merit awards to full or part-time employees are pro-rated based on the percentage of time worked at the time of eligibility.
Merit awards to employees on voluntary reduction in work schedule (VRWS) are not pro-rated.
Merit awards to employees on sick leave at half pay are based on the percentage of time worked prior to sick leave at half pay.
Employees on leave without pay and employees who have separated from the agency are eligible for cash merit awards at the discretion of the agency.
Cash merit awards are not included in the calculation of overtime.
Computing Award Limits
The cumulative value of cash merit award payments cannot exceed 3.5% of the employee's basic annual salary at the close of the fiscal year (1999-2000).
Processing Instructions
Submit transactions for merit award payments for eligible employees through the Time Entry Panel:
| Earnings Begin Date: | Enter the date of eligibility in the M/C position |
| Earnings End Date: | Enter the same date as the Begin Date |
| Earn Code: | MER |
| Amount: | Enter payment amount (not to exceed 3.5% of base annual salary) |
| Comment: | If applicable |
Questions
Questions regarding this bulletin may be directed to the Salary Determination mailbox.