Workforce Planning Toolkit

Employee Relations And Benefits

Promotion of the Public Service
Multiple Divisions within the Department have worked to combat the perception that classified government service is an employer of last resort and replace it with an awareness that public employment with the State of Louisiana is an attractive option. We have stepped up the use of training, brochures, newspaper and television opportunities to promote the good that is done by state agencies and state employees.

Flexible Working Arrangements
The flexibility of our system allows agencies to implement flexible working arrangements through the use of alternate work schedules, telecommuting, and other flexibilities that allow each agency to manage its workforce in the manner that best suits its needs and that will be key in future efforts to recruit and retain both young employees entering the workforce for the first time, and retirees wishing to return to work on a part-time or temporary basis.

Holidays and Leave
State employees receive a number of statutory holidays throughout the year; other holidays are proclaimed by the Governor.

Annual (vacation) Leave – State employees receive annual leave (personal or vacation leave) each year, in an amount that increases with years of service. New full-time employees can expect to earn approximately 8 hours of annual leave per month; an employee with fifteen or more years of service will earn approximately 16 hours of annual leave per month. Annual leave accrues and unused leave carries over from year to year; employees are paid for their annual leave balance, up to a maximum of 300 hours, upon separation from the state. An employee who retires from state service with an annual leave balances in excess of 300 hours can use the excess to “add” to the employee’s total service used for calculating the retirement benefit, or the employee can opt to receive a lump-sum payment for the leave at an actuarially reduced rate.

Sick leave – State employees earn sick leave in the same increments as they earn annual leave. Sick leave can be used by an employee for his/her own personal illness or medical consultation. Like annual leave, sick leave accrues and carries over from year-to-year. Also like annual leave, any unused sick leave balance can be used upon retirement to “add” to the employee’s total service used for calculating the retirement benefit, or the employee can opt to receive a lump-sum payment for the leave at an actuarially reduced rate.

Educational Leave – The Civil Service rules allow for periods of time off with or without pay for educational purposes; employees on leave without pay can receive a stipend if funds are available for such purpose.

Military Leave – Classified employees are allowed time off for military purposes. Up to 15 working days of military leave is with pay; the remainder is without pay unless an employee asks to use his/her annual leave. Employees who are on military leave without pay, and whose military pay is less than the employee’s pay in his/her state job, are guaranteed to receive a “pay differential” which makes up the difference between the employee’s military pay and his state salary, to ensure that neither the employee nor his/her family endure excessive hardship due to a pay loss for military service.

Other types of leave – There are other types of leave available to State employees as provided in Chapter 11 of the Civil Service rules.

Health Insurance
The State offers a group insurance plan that offers a variety of insurance options, with the state paying 75% of an employee’s insurance premium. Further information about the states group insurance is available at www.groupbenefits.org.

Retirement
The State offers its own Retirement Plans. Information about the State’s retirement options is available at www.lasers.state.la.us.

Deferred Compensation
As a supplemental retirement savings plan for employees, the State offers a Deferred Compensation Plan for tax deferred savings.