State Employee Center
What's New
- Effective July 1, 2012, the rate used to reimburse State employees for use of their personally owned vehicles on state business has been increased from $0.51 per mile to $0.555 per mile. Please note that the State reimbursement rate is adjusted according to
the rate set by the federal General Services Administration (GSA). The GSA has recently
adjusted their rate to the Internal Revenue Service rate of $0.555 per mile.
This rate should also be used to reimburse volunteers who use their own vehicles on state business.
All in-state reimbursement forms have been revised to reflect the change. Updated reimbursement form.
- Active Employees: You should have received several important mailings from TIAA-CREF including a Transition Guide and Welcome Kit confirming the enrollment in your new Rhode to Retirement defined contribution plan. If you have not received these mailings, it may be because your address with the Retirement System is incorrect or out-of-date. Please contact TIAA-CREF immediately at 1-800-897-1026 to update your address and these important documents will be promptly mailed to your correct address.
- FY 2009 Pay Reduction (PR) Leave - The deadline to discharge or receive cash payment for the FY2009 Pay Reduction leave accrued by State employees in 2009 is fast approaching. The deadline to discharge the PR leave is June 30, 2012. Employees who choose to discharge this leave may do so during any payroll period through June 30, 2012. The exception code for the discharge of this leave to be used on the timesheets is “RT” (Example: "7RT"). This leave may only be discharged as a “FULL” day and may not be discharged in increments. The deadline to request cash payment for this day is June 15, 2012. Employees who choose cash payment for this day must fill out the form entitled “Request for Payment of Pay Reduction “PR” Leave”. This form must be submitted to your Payroll Office by June 15, 2012. No request for payment will be honored after June 15, 2012. PR Leave not discharged or paid by June 30, 2012 will be lost. The FY 2009 Pay Reduction Policy.
- A Policy on Social Networking was recently issued by the Department of Administration Division of Information Technology. This policy establishes guidelines for State agencies, departments, vendors, employees and any individuals with access rights to the State's networks regarding the use of Web 2.0 Social Networking sites, including, but not limited to, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, YouTube, Linkedln
and Blogger.
Classification Questionnaire Information (Desk Audit)
Any employee who believes their duties fall within the job description of another classified position may request a desk audit. Further details about this process.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Accrued Hours (Leave) Balances: Leave balances are printed on an employee's bi-weekly pay check or direct deposit receipt. Questions may be directed to your human resources office.
- Available State Job Announcements: To see what state jobs are available, refer to the RI State Government Job Opportunities website.
- Benefit Questions: For questions about your benefits, refer to the Office of Employee Benefits website.
- Employment Verification: You may need your employment and income verified when applying for a mortgage or loan, leasing an apartment, applying for insurance, etc. Basic employment information can be verified by telephone. For telephone inquiries, no written authorization from the employee is required and we only confirm whether the information being verified is correct or incorrect. We do not verbally provide confidential employment information. You may direct telephone inquires to the Division of Human Resources at 222-7521 or to your human resources office. Written inquiries for employment information must be accompanied by an authorization signed by the employee that grants permission for the release of the requested information to the verifying organization(s). All written inquires must be directed to your human resources office.
- Code of Ethics: Public officials and employees must abide by the standards of conduct as set out in the Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics is comprised of a set of statutory and regulatory provisions which regulate the ethical conduct of elected and appointed public officials as well as state and municipal employees. For more information, see the Guide to the State of Rhode Island Code of Ethics, State of Rhode Island Ethics Commission website and Executive Order 11-01.
- Recusal: As the Rhode Island Ethics Commission explains, the Code of Ethics provides that public officials and employees must file a statement of conflict of interest, or recusal form, concerning matters where he or she may have a conflict of interest in the discharge of his or her official duties. A conflict of interest may exist if an official or employee can reasonably expect that his or her official conduct will directly result in a financial benefit to the official, his or her family, business associates, employers, or businesses that the official represents. The conflict need not be certain to occur, but the probability must be greater than "conceivably."
- Hatch Act Information: The Federal Hatch Act restricts the political activities of certain employees in State government whose principal employment is in connection with an activity financed, in whole or in part by federal loans or grants. On December 19, 2012, Congress passed the Hatch Act Modernization Act of 2012. The Amendment allows most state and local government employees to run for partisan political office. Prior to this change, state and local government employees were prohibited from running for partisan office if they worked in connection with programs financed in whole or in part by federal loans or grants. With the change, state and local government employees may now run for partisan office unless the employee’s
salary is paid for completely by federal loans or grants. Please do not assume that either your job or your political activities are not subject to the Hatch Act. You should check with your agency's finance officer to see if your job is fully funded by the Federal Government. If you have any questions about whether the Hatch Act applies to you, please contact the United States Office of Special Counsel. For more information, see the Hatch Act Guidance Memo or go to the Office of Special Counsel website. In addition, Rhode Island General Laws prohibits classified employees from seeking the nomination of or being a candidate for any elective State Office and also contain prohibitions on classified employees regarding campaigning for public officials during working hours and soliciting political contributions for or being solicited for political campaigns (for example, see RIGL § 36-4-51 through § 36-4-54). Violations of these statutes can result in demotion or dismissal.
Rules & Regulations
- RI Personnel Rules: it is the purpose of these rules to establish procedures for handling personnel activities and transactions provided for in the State Merit System Act (RIGL Title 36 Chapters 3 and 4).
- Employee Handbook: The employee handbook provides a ready reference for new and current State of Rhode Island employees on most topics regarding employment with the State.
- Union Affiliation: For most positions, a particular Union has been certified as the exclusive bargaining agent to represent employees in those positions. For information about the negotiated collective bargaining agreements, refer to the Labor Relations Center page.
Information & Resources
Forms
