(Act 289 of 2007; Arkansas Code Ann. §21-5-1101)
All pay increases for non-classified employees are merit-based.
Classified employees in full-time appointed positions for at least 12 months and part-time appointed employees who have completed at least 2,080 hours are eligible for annual merit pay increases during the 2007-2009 biennium. The merit pay increases will go into effect on October 1, 2007, and will be based on the employees’ performance evaluations. Merit increases are in addition to any cost-of-living (COLA) increases.
· Employees who receive an overall satisfactory rating under an approved performance evaluation system are eligible for a 1.5% merit increase.*
· Employees who receive an overall above average rating under an approved performance evaluation system are eligible for a 3.0% merit increase.*
· Employees who receive an overall exceeds standards rating under an approved performance evaluation system are eligible for a 4.5% merit increase.*
Merit increases are added to employees’ base salaries unless they would cause the base salary to exceed pay level IV in the state pay plan. Any amount above pay level IV will be paid as a lump-sum payment and all merit payments will be considered salary for the purposes of retirement contributions.
*Note: Because of reductions in State funding resulting in budget constraints, the merit increase amounts for the period from October 1, 2008 to September 30, 2009 will be .5% for satisfactory, 1.0% for above average and 1.5% for exceeds standards.
6.6
Updated
7/14/2008