On Friday, September 10, 2021, Jessica Rowe, Director of Staffing Services, New York State Department of Civil Service, distributed §26.3 of New York State's Attendance and Leave Policy Bulletin 2021--02 addressing the Productivity Enhancement Program [PEP] for 2021.
PEP permits eligible employees of the State as the employer in the Executive Branch of government represented by the Public Employees Federation [PEF] to exchange previously accrued annual leave [vacation] and, or, personal leave credits in return for a credit to be applied toward their employee share of New York State Health Insurance Plan [NYSHIP] premiums. For 2021, the prorated PEP credit will be credited among the State paydays that fall between September 29, 2021 and December 22, 2021.
Internet links to the Program Description and the Enrollment Form for the 2021 PEP Program are provided below.
N.B. The enrollment period for 2021 will be open from Monday, September 13, 2021 through Friday, October 1, 2021.
Ms. Rowe said:
"The starting and ending dates of the PEP Program for 2021 are detailed in the Program Description. The enrollment period for 2021 will be open from Monday, September 13, 2021 through Friday, October 1, 2021.
"Implementation of the program will require action on the part of agency personnel officers, agency timekeepers, and agency health benefits administrators (HBAs). Specifically, agency personnel officers will be responsible for (1) providing interested employees with program descriptions and enrollment forms; (2) verifying employee eligibility to participate; and (3) notifying timekeepers and health benefits administrators of participant enrollments and separations from service. Agency timekeepers will be responsible for adjusting the vacation and/or personal leave balances of participants upon enrollment.
"HBAs are responsible for processing the Health Insurance Premium Contribution Credit (HIPCC) for PEP enrollees. The Employee Benefits Division will be issuing a separate document with specific instructions for HBAs. Questions regarding health insurance transactions should be directed to your agency’s processor in the Employee Benefits Division by calling the HBA Help Line at (518) 474-2780."
Below are the Internet links to the Program Description and the Enrollment Form for the 2021 PEP Program:
Address questions regarding employee eligibility and leave transactions to the Attendance and Leave Unit of the Department of Civil Service at (518) 457-2295.