PRESS RELEASE

New Merit Rules for State of Delaware Employees
Merit Employee Relations Board Approves New HR Rules for State Merit Employees

Dover - Governor Ruth Ann Minner and State Personnel Director Lisa Blunt-Bradley today announced that new state merit rules applying to all 12,000 merit employees were recently approved by the Merit Employee Relations Board and became effective January 1, 2004. Under the new rules, employees cannot be discriminated against based on their sexual orientation and those who are temporarily disabled will have the option of returning to an alternative, light-duty work assignment whenever possible.

The new merit rules will help employees to better understand workplace policies and procedures, said Gov. Ruth Ann Minner. I want to recognize the efforts of the statewide Labor-Management Committee, state employees, unions and citizens who took the time to give their input and help streamlining efforts in shaping the new merit rules.

The rules were recommended by the state's Labor-Management Committee, comprised of labor representatives, agency officials and state employees. Blunt-Bradley and American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees Executive Director Michael A. Begatto co-chair the committee. The Merit Employee Relations Board adopted the new rules on November 6, after a public hearing.

Special emphasis was placed on streamlining the rules and ensuring that all rights and protections provided to state employees remained intact, Blunt-Bradley said. Employees will find the new merit rules easier to understand as we have eliminated confusing cross-references and added several definitions to more clearly explain terms.

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