On Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021, state employees received excellent news about upcoming pay adjustments. Some details of those announcements are included below.
“We are grateful to the Lee administration and the members of the General Assembly for continuing to prioritize state employees and for this great news before the end-of-the-year holiday season,” TSEA Executive Director Randy Stamps said. “This is one step in many steps we are taking for all state employees. By joining TSEA you support our effort for better pay and working conditions across state government.“
Adjustments for All State Employees
The Department of Human Resources reinstated a revised Pay for Performance (P4P) salary increase program in May 2021. DOHR announced on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2022, additional one-time cash bonus rewards for the 2020-2021 performance cycle.
Employees who received a performance rating of Meets Expectations, Exceeds Expectations, or Exceptional for the most recent performance cycle (ended Sept. 2021) will receive a one-time bonus, in an amount determined by a percentage of base pay as follows:
Bonus Structure (2020-2021)**
Meets expectations – 1.5%
Exceeds Expectations – 2.5%
Exceptional – 4%
P4P cash bonuses will be paid in January 2022.
**NOTE: It is important to remember, in May 2021 when DOHR announced Pay-For-Performance awards for Jan 2022, only Advanced and Outstanding were included in their plan. TSEA met with your legislators and advocated on your behalf to the Lee administration about the importance of funding bonuses for all state employees valued and above, and we are pleased to see they made this adjustment.**
For more information about P4P, including FAQs, guidelines, and eligibility, please visit www.teamtn.gov/hr. Additional questions may be emailed to [email protected].
In an email to all state employees, DOHR Commissioner Juan Wiliams said, “Thank you for your ongoing commitment, flexibility, and outstanding results. I wish you a happy, healthy holiday season and thank you for your service to the State of Tennessee.”
TDOC
Governor Bill Lee announced a competitive 37% salary increase for new Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) correctional officers amid nationwide staffing challenges, effective Thursday, Dec. 16, 2022.
“As we face staffing shortages across the country, rewarding officers with competitive pay will ensure we recruit and retain the most highly qualified individuals in our workforce,” said Gov. Lee in a news release. “These Tennesseans play a crucial role in ensuring public safety and we remain committed to valuing their important work.”
The 37% salary increase for new TDOC correctional officers will raise annual starting pay to $44,500. Current security staff will receive a minimum 15% pay increase.
TSEA continues to learn more information about these adjustments and will publish additional details as information becomes available.
DCS
Also on Wednesday, Dec. 15, DCS Commissioner Jennifer Nichols announced all Case Managers 1-4 will receive a 3.58% salary increase effective Dec. 1.
In an email to staff, Commissioner Nichols said, “The last two years have been difficult to say the least, and yet you persevere. You do the hard work and you’ve done it through a pandemic. The additional stress, anxiety and disconnectedness felt by most people and certainly by the children and families we serve, have made your jobs even more challenging. I hope that the news puts a smile on your face as it did mine. I will continue to advocate for you, in all possible ways, as we embark on the 2022 Legislative Session next month. I hope that the holiday season brings you joy!”
“We also want to wish all our dedicated and hard-working state employees a very Merry Christmas,” Randy Stamps said. “We appreciate all you do every day serving TN. It is an honor and a privilege to advocate on your behalf, you truly are the best state employees in the nation.”
This is a developing story. TSEA remains in contact with the Lee Administration and the members of the General Assembly and will publish additional information as details become available.
As a reminder, the General Assembly will reconvene in January to draft and pass the FY22/23 State Budget, which may include funding for additional raises and bonuses for state employees. We will continue to advocate for higher pay and stronger benefits for all state employees and will keep you up to date on all the latest news.
