FY2010 BUDGET FAQ
HB 290 – Budget Bill
&
HB 295 – Grants-In-Aid Bill
Frequently Asked Questions
Pay Reduction Questions
Q: When does the pay reduction go into effect?
A: The pay reduction is effective July 1, 2009.
Q: What is the date of the first pay check I will notice the pay reduction?
A: The first pay check you will notice the reduction is the one you will receive on July 17, 2009 for the pay period starting June 21, 2009 to July 4, 2009. The pay reduction will only effect the time worked on July 1, 2, 3, and 4, 2009, and the paid holiday. The July 31, 2009 paycheck will have no benefit deductions taken out, so the first full pay reflecting the 2.5 percent pay reduction will be your August 14, 2009 paycheck.
Q: Will the 2.5 percent pay reduction be applied to premium pays?
A: There will be no reduction to premium pays, which are flat rates. However, premium pays that are based on 100 percent of pay grade midpoint will be based on the lower midpoint.
Q: Will salaries be restored on July 1, 2010?
A: HB 295 indicates that upon elimination of Section 25 approved leave plans, the pay scales for all employees shall be restored to their FY 2009 pay levels. However, any changes made to employee’s salaries, including any increases, are determined in the regular budget process.
Section 25 Leave Days
Q: What are Section 25 Leave Days?
A: House Bill 295, Section 25 provides that all state agencies and the judiciary, excluding Delaware State University and the University of Delaware, are to implement fair and balanced temporary plans for the use of five additional days of leave for employees during FY 2010. It is also stated that no such plan shall create any additional overtime burden on the State or result in any staffing shortages.
Q: Will State employees receive five additional days of leave during FY 2010?
A: Benefit eligible State employees who received a 2.5 percent pay reduction will be eligible to receive Section 25 leave days (an additional five days without any further reduction in pay) but not until agency leave plans are finalized and submitted to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget for approval.
Q: Which State employees are eligible for the Section 25 Leave Days?
A: Employees who are eligible for annual and sick leave accrual, whose pay was reduced by 2.5 percent, will be eligible for Section 25 Leave Days but not until the leave plans have been submitted, reviewed and approved by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and the Controller General.
Q: How does Section 25 Leave Days impact non-State, part-time and casual/seasonal employees?
A: The Section 25 Leave Days plan is for State employees who were employed on or before June 30, 2009 in a benefit eligible position, and who received a 2.5 percent reduction in annual wages on July 1, 2009. Casual/seasonal employees are not entitled to benefits and are therefore not entitled to the Section 25 Leave Days. Permanent part-time employees, who are otherwise eligible for other leaves and benefits on a pro-rated basis, are eligible for the Section 25 Leave Days on a pro-rated basis.
Q: I am a seasonal park worker. Am I entitled to Section 25 Leave Days during my summer employment?
A: No, seasonal workers are not typically eligible for annual leave and are not in benefit eligible positions.
Q: I am a casual/seasonal employee. Am I entitled to the Section 25 Leave Days?
A: No, casual/seasonal employees are not typically eligible for annual leave and are not in benefit eligible positions.
Q: Will the Section 25 Leave Days need to be used before June 30, 2010?
A: Yes.
Q: When can I take the Section 25 Leave Days?
A: Section 25 leave days cannot be scheduled until a leave plan has been approved for the agency.
Q: If I use approved annual leave beginning July 1, 2009, can it be retroactively changed to Section 25 Leave Days at a later date?
A: No, the Section 25 Leave Days should not be applied retroactively. Employees will be able to use the Section 25 Leave Days between the date the agency receives final approval on the plan and June 30, 2010.
Q: Are Section 25 Leave Days based on a calendar year or the fiscal year?
A: Fiscal year, the five days must have been requested, approved, and used by June 30, 2010. Section 25 Leave Days will not be carried over into FY 2011. Section 25 Leave Days not used by June 30, 2010 will be forfeited.
Q: Is it mandatory to use the Section 25 Leave Days within this fiscal year (July 1, 2009 – June 30, 2010)?
A: Yes, days not used by June 30, 2010 will be forfeited.
Q: Will the Section 25 Leave Days be added to annual leave accrual?
A: No, Section 25 Leave Days are separate from annual leave, are not accrued, apply to FY 2010 only, and only apply to benefit eligible employees employed on or before June 30, 2009. Additionally, unlike accrued annual leave, the Section 25 Leave Days will not be paid out to employees who leave State of Delaware employment prior to the use of the days.
Q: Are Section 25 Leave Days accrued on some incremental basis like annual and sick leave, or are they available for use in July? How are Section 25 Leave Days accrued?
A: Section 25 Leave Days are not accrued. Eligible employees will be able to request the use of the days upon approval of agency leave plan. The Section 25 Leave Days have been granted for FY 2010 only and are not an ongoing benefit.
Q: How are Section 25 Leave Days handled for employees who are hired during the fiscal year?
A: Employees hired July 1, 2009 or after are ineligible for the Section 25 Leave Days. The Section 25 Leave Days are for State employees who were employed on or before June 30, 2009 and are otherwise benefit eligible.
Q: Will an employee retiring or separating from state service after July 1, 2009 but before June 30, 2010 be eligible for payment of any unused Section 25 Leave Days?
A: No, unused Section 25 Leave Days may not be paid out in lieu of taking the day.
State Holidays
Q: How do the two floating holidays work?
A: Columbus Day and Presidents Day will not be regular State holidays. In addition, the State of Delaware now grants two floating holidays per fiscal year. State employees can choose the two days they want to take off as their two floating holidays with approval from their supervisor (much the same way annual leave is subject to supervisory approval based on operational needs).
State Health Care Benefits
Q: My spouse and I both work for the State. Were there any changes to Double State Share?
A: There has been no change in Double State Share.
