Hello Jan:

 

My staff has informed me after discussions with yours that SCIF intends to hand out a $250 bonus to all employees in the Department under what has been characterized as an “Encore Award” program.  SCIF  apparently relies on Government Code 19823 as authority for these bonuses.

 

SCIF has no authority under GC 19823 to issue bonuses to every employee in the department.  That code is DPA’s statutory authority  which authorizes DPA- not individual state agencies - to establish a merit award program.  We have established the sustained superior accomplishment program under this statutory authority which, among other criteria, limits awards to a maximum of one award per 100 individuals.  There is no legal authority for SCIF to use DPA’s statutory authority to issue bonuses of $250 to every person in the Department.

 

I have looked at your handbook and I do not see where your handbook allows for such blanket awards either, and certainly not under DPA’s statutes.  If there is any additional authority that SCIF believes exists to issue bonuses to everyone, please let me know. 

 

From: Debbie Endsley
Sent: Wednesday, August 05, 2009 3:33 PM
To: 'Erin L. Chin'; Andreas Acker
Subject: RE: State Fund Awards

 

Thank you for again attempting to identify SCIFs authority for bonuses.  It is incorrect to rely on this Government Code for authority to give bonuses to employees.  The Code you cite (19823) gives the Department of Personnel Administration (as the Governor’s employer for the state) statutory authority to set rules and administer the award programs.  Rules allow that a maximum of 1 employee per 100 may receive an award based on superior performance.  This information was previously provided to your President Jan Frank  (see attached email of July 16 from Director Gilb).  To date, we have not received a response.

 

Have bonuses been given to SCIF employees?