Merit-Based Pay Increases for State Employees

The General Assembly and Governor’s Office has approved merit-based increases for state employees who are active on or before May 10, 2015 and remain active on August 10, 2015 with no break in service. Eligible 12-month full-time classified staff, A&P faculty, and instructional faculty will receive a 2% increase effective August 10, 2015. Eligible full-time employees who have less than 12-month contracts will receive the 2% increase upon return to active working status. Eligible wage employees will also receive a 2% increase effective August 16, 2015.

In addition, the General Assembly has also approved a merit-based compression adjustment for full-time classified employees of $65 per year of service (up to a maximum of 30 years). Classified employees must have completed at least five years of continuous full-time service as of August 10, 2015 (those with state begin dates of August 10, 2010 or before).

NOTE: Supervisors, please make certain that you have completed performance evaluations for your employees. The above increases are merit-based meaning that an acceptable rating on the most recent performance evaluation is required to receive the increase. The most recent evaluation may include the last completed evaluation or interim evaluation. For classified staff, receiving a JMU rating of “Moderate Contributor,” “Contributor,” or “High Contributor” (all equal to the “contributor” rating in the state system), or “Extraordinary Contributor” is acceptable to receive the increases. Eligible probationary employees must have received a rating of “Contributor” on their most recent Probationary Progress Review form in order to receive the increase.  A&P faculty and instructional faculty must also receive an acceptable rating based on their division’s performance expectations.

Additional information will be provided in June’s HR Update. In the meantime, please feel free to review the FAQ’s on the Human Resources website for information on the increases.