‘Variable’ merit system planned

• By MARSHA SHULER
• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: Jul 9, 2009 - Page: 1A

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Louisiana’s 60,000 rank-and-file state employees could be facing an end to a system that provides nearly automatic annual 4 percent “merit” pay raises.

On Wednesday, state Civil Service Director Shannon Templet told human resource directors from state agencies that a “variable” merit system is under development.

Under such a system, the percent of pay boost would be tied to job performance.

“Variable merits are probably on the horizon. There is no way to get away from that,” Templet said.

In a separate interview, Templet said her goal is to have “five good proposals” to submit to the state Civil Service Commission for consideration in November or December. Any plan approved by the commission would require a sign-off by Gov. Bobby Jindal because it affects pay.

Jindal has said he wants to move to an employee compensation system with pay based on performance, what he calls a “true merit” system.

With approval, the changes would go into effect July 1, the start of a new state budget year, Templet said.

Under a variable system, the percentage raise would depend on job ratings done by employee supervisors as well as other factors.

Critics contend the change would open the door to politics and favoritism. Proponents claim it would more fairly reimburse employees based on work done.

On Wednesday, employee union president Leonal Hardman said he is interested in seeing proposals, “but there’s nothing wrong with the current performance, planning and review system.”

“If employees get a satisfactory rating they ought to be entitled to their entire 4 percent pay raise,” Hardman said.

Today, the 4 percent pay raise is awarded annually to most state workers on the anniversary date of their employment.

According to Civil Service — state government’s employment agency — about 96 percent of state classified rank-and-file employees get merit pay annually.