101 KAR 2:120. Incentive programs

      Section 1. Employee Suggestion System. (1) Administration. An employee with status in the classified service or an employee governed by KRS Chapter 16 may be recognized and rewarded for submitting a suggestion that results in the improvement of state service or in the realization of financial savings by the state.

      (a)1. The employee suggestion system council, headed by the chairperson designated by the Secretary of Personnel, shall:

      a. Ensure proper evaluation of each suggestion;

      b. Review and act upon, by approval or denial, a suggestion presented to the council by a cabinet or agency; and

      c. Reconsider denials as set forth in subsection (4) of this section.

      2. A designated coordinator may present recommended suggestions to the council and request that the council vote on suggestions.

      3. The council may defer action for up to one (1) year and one (1) month pending documentation of cash savings.

      4. The council shall receive administrative support from the Personnel Cabinet.

      5. The council shall prepare an annual report to be submitted to the Secretary of Personnel that shall include the number of suggestions received and the status of each suggestion.

      6. The council shall meet:

      a. At a minimum on a quarterly basis; or

      b. Upon the request of the council chairperson or a majority of the coordinators.

      (b) Each cabinet secretary or agency head shall designate, in writing, the appointment of a coordinator who shall also serve on the council. The coordinator shall receive suggestions and establish and maintain internal procedures to ensure appropriate evaluation of suggestions.

      (c) The coordinator shall present suggestions recommended for approval by the cabinet or agency to the council for consideration.

      (2) Eligibility.

      (a) A suggestion shall be a positive idea which:

      1. Explains how to improve methods, equipment or procedures;

      2. Reduces time or cost of a work operation;

      3. Creates a safer work environment;

      4. Increases revenue; or

      5. Improves relationships with or services for the public.

      (b) The suggestion shall:

      1. Present an improvement in state service or function;

      2. Explain how the change would be accomplished;

      3. Define what benefits would be realized by the state, particularly in terms of efficiency, effectiveness, safety, economy, conservation of energy resources, or public relations;

      4.a. Be made by an employee to the employee’s cabinet or agency; or

      b. Be forwarded from other coordinators if the suggestion affects the coordinator’s agency;

      5. Within ninety (90) working days of implementation by the agency, be:

      a. Submitted on the Employee Suggestion Form, P-35; and

      b. Accompanied by exhibits or illustrations as needed;

      6. Be practical, useful, and constructive; and

      7. Be eligible for an award only after legislative action or administrative regulation changes, if required, have been completed which shall be the responsibility of the agency that desires to implement the suggestion.

      (c) The following suggestions shall not be eligible for a cash award:

      1. A suggestion that falls within the scope of the duties of the suggester and which the suggester has the authority to initiate or implement without other administrative approval. "Scope of duties" shall include a specific set of tasks as set forth in the position description of the suggester upon submission of the suggestion;

      2. A suggestion related to a particular problem given to an employee to solve within the scope of the employee’s duties and responsibilities;

      3. A suggestion made by a member of the council, a cabinet, or agency suggestion review committee;

      4. A suggestion which includes a proposal to perform routine maintenance operations or follow manufacturer's recommendations;

      5. A suggestion to make a change which has been documented in writing as already under consideration by those administratively responsible; or

      6. A suggestion which corrects an error or condition that exists because established procedures were not followed.

      (d) If more than one (1) suggester makes significant contributions to the idea, the suggestion may be submitted jointly, and an award granted shall be divided equally between or among the suggesters.

      (e)1. The first suggestion received shall take precedence over all future suggestions having the same purpose.

      2. If two (2) or more similar suggestions are received on the same day, an award granted shall be divided equally between or among the suggesters.

      (f) A suggestion shall be considered a confidential communication among the suggesters and the employees and officers whose responsibility it is to process, investigate, review, or evaluate suggestions.

      (3) General provisions.

      (a) The cabinet or agency head shall establish an internal system for receipt, evaluation, and reconsideration of employee suggestions. This system shall, at a minimum, include the following:

      1. A method to notify the suggester in writing that the suggestion has been received and to notify the suggester in writing of a change in the status of the suggestion;

      2. A method to document the original suggestion, evaluation, and action taken; and

      3. A method to prepare and present documentation of a suggestion for recommendation to the council.

      (b)1. Eligibility of a suggestion shall be evaluated according to the circumstances existing upon submission of the suggestion.

      2. An evaluation shall be completed by a person with expertise in the area under consideration.

      3. The results of the evaluation shall be recorded on the Evaluation of Employee Suggestion Form, Form P-36, and the form shall be dated and signed by the individual making the evaluation.

      (c)1. The suggester shall be notified in writing of the disposition of the suggestion within ninety-five (95) calendar days of receipt by the coordinator.

      2. If all parties involved agree, an extension of time shall be granted if extenuating circumstances exist.

      3. A suggestion shall be considered to be active and eligible for an award until the suggester is notified in writing that the suggestion has been approved or denied.

      4. If a suggestion will not be implemented, the coordinator shall notify the suggester in writing stating the reason it was not implemented.

      5.a. If an eligible suggestion is not adopted and conditions under which it was originally considered have changed, the suggester may request reevaluation by the cabinet or agency.

      b. The request shall:

      (i) Be in writing;

      (ii) Be evaluated by the next level of supervision;

      (iii) Be received by the agency within one (1) year from the date of rejection; and

      (iv) Include information regarding the change in conditions.

      (d) If a suggestion is approved and implemented by the cabinet or agency, the suggester's coordinator shall recommend approval of the suggestion to the council.

      1. The recommendation shall contain:

      a. The suggestion as completed by the suggester on the Employee Suggestion Form, P-35;

      b. The evaluation forms completed according to the criteria set forth in this administrative regulation; and

      c. A statement of actual or projected cost savings using generally accepted accounting principles.

      2. Upon receipt of the council's decision, the chairperson of the council shall send written notification of the council's action to the suggester's coordinator and the coordinator shall then provide written notification to the suggester regarding the decision.

      3. If an eligible suggestion is denied by the council, the suggestion shall remain on active file with the council for a period of one (1) year from the date of denial.

      (e) Award of cash payment shall be in accordance with KRS 18A.202.

      1. The cash payment shall be calculated based upon the amount saved over the period of one (1) year minus implementation costs and shall be determined according to generally accepted accounting principles.

      2.a. The award check shall be issued by the agency where the suggester is employed.

      b. Funds for payment shall come from the agency or agencies implementing the suggestion.

      c. If applicable the agency issuing the check may interaccount other agencies implementing the suggestion for a proportionate share of the total award amount.

      3.a. If a suggestion may result in financial savings to the state and proper documentation of cost savings has not yet been obtained, the council shall request that each agency implementing the suggestion maintain records which document the cost savings for a period not to exceed one (1) year from the date of implementation.

      b. Documentation shall be conducted according to generally accepted accounting principles.

      c. This cost savings analysis shall be forwarded by the coordinator to the council chairperson within thirty (30) work days of completion of the analysis.

      (f)1. If a suggestion has been approved by the council and has resulted in a financial savings to the state, the suggester shall be compensated in an amount of ten (10) percent of the amount saved over one (1) calendar year, with a minimum of $100 and a maximum of $2,500.

      2. If a suggestion approved by the council results in an intangible improvement in state service, the suggester shall be compensated in the amount of $100.

      3. Upon the suggester's receipt of compensation, the suggestion shall become the property of the state.

      (4) Reconsideration.

      (a) A suggester may request reconsideration of a suggestion that has not received approval from the cabinet or agency within ten (10) work days of the date that written notice of denial is received by the suggester.

      (b)1. The suggester shall request reconsideration in writing and shall set forth the basis for the request.

      2.a. The request shall be filed with the coordinator within ten (10) days of the date of the denial.

      b. If the tenth day falls on a day that the cabinet or agency office is closed during regular work hours, the request may be filed on the next work day.

      (c) Within thirty (30) work days, the cabinet or agency shall act on the request for reconsideration and notify the suggester in writing of the reason for the decision.

      (5) Council review.

      (a)1. A suggestion may be reviewed by the council on its own motion, or upon request of the suggester.

      2. If a suggestion has been reconsidered and denied by the cabinet or agency, the suggester may request a review by the council.

      a. The suggester shall request review within thirty (30) days of receipt of the written notification of the outcome of the reconsideration and shall set forth in writing the basis for the request.

      b.(i) The request shall be filed in the office of the employee suggestion system chairperson within the thirty (30) day period.

      (ii) If the 30th day falls on a day that the chairperson's office is closed during regular work hours, the request may be filed on the next work day.

      (b) The council shall complete the review within ninety (90) calendar days of the date that the chairperson receives the request for review.

      (c) The council chairperson shall notify the agency head of the council's findings and its recommendation concerning the suggestion's implementation or denial.

 

      Section 2. Adoption Benefit Program. (1) A state employee who finalizes a legal adoption procedure for the adoption of a child, other than the child of a spouse, on or after November 1, 1998, shall be eligible to receive reimbursement for actual costs associated with the adoption of a special needs child, as defined by KRS 199.555(1), or any other child. Total state funds for this program shall not exceed $150,000 in a fiscal year.

      (2) The eligible employee shall receive:

      (a) Up to $5,000 in unreimbursed direct costs related to the adoption of a special needs child; or

      (b) Up to $3,000 in unreimbursed direct costs related to the adoption of any other child.

      (3) Unreimbursed direct costs related to the adoption of a special needs child or other child shall include:

      (a) Licensed adoption agency fees;

      (b) Legal fees;

      (c) Medical costs;

      (d) Court costs; and

      (e) Other fees or costs associated with child adoption in accordance with state and federal law and after review and approval by the court at the finalization of the adoption.

      (4) Application for financial assistance shall be made by submitting a completed State Employee Adoption Assistance Application to the Secretary of Personnel along with documentary evidence of:

      (a) Finalization of the adoption;

      (b) Certification by the Secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services that the adopted child is a special needs child, if reimbursement for special needs adoption is sought; and

      (c) A copy of an affidavit of expenses related to the adoption filed with and approved by the court at the finalization of the adoption.

      (5) If both adoptive parents are executive branch state employees, the application for financial assistance shall be made jointly and the amount of reimbursement shall be limited to that specified in subsection (2) of this section.

      (6) Upon approval of the application for financial assistance, the employee’s agency shall dispense funds in the amount authorized by the Secretary of Personnel.

 

      Section 3. Incorporation by Reference. (1) The following material is incorporated by reference:

      (a) "Employee Suggestion Form", P-35, October 2007;

      (b) "Evaluation of Employee Suggestion Form" Form, P-36, February 2010; and

      (c) "State Employee Adoption Assistance Application", May 2015.

      (2) This material may be inspected, copied, or obtained, subject to applicable copyright law, at the Personnel Cabinet, 501 High Street, 3rd Floor, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (13 Ky.R. 430; eff. 9-4-1986; Am. 15 Ky.R. 830; eff. 10-12-1988; 26 Ky.R. 101; 573; eff. 8-25-1999; 34 Ky.R. 614; 964; eff. 12-7-2007; 36 Ky.R. 1516; 2038-M; eff. 4-2-2010; 42 Ky.R. 88; eff. 10-2-2015.)

Notation

      RELATES TO: KRS 18A.202, 199.555(1)

      STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 18A.030(2), 18A.110(1)(d), 18A.202(1)

      NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 18A.110(1)(d) requires the Secretary of Personnel to promulgate administrative regulations to implement work-related incentive programs for state employees. KRS 18A.202 authorizes the secretary to establish work-related incentive programs for state employees. This administrative regulation establishes the requirements for an employee suggestion system incentive program and a state employee adoption benefit program.