FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
PAY ADJUSTMENT FOR AFSCME REPRESENTED CHILD WELFARE WORKERS

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Q. What will my new salary be under the Agreement?
A. You should already be receiving your new salary. However, the chart provided in Attachment B to the Agreement sets out the general parameters. If your salary was below the salary on the chart, it should have been raised to the chart level. In some special circumstances, you are guaranteed at least a $500 increase, but most people should have received a larger increase. Some employees, already at higher pay levels, may not receive an increase. But, there should be no decreases in base pay.

Q: How was the new salary determined?
A. The new salary is based on the ratings you received for Job Level and Work Level under the criteria established by the DCF Recruitment and Retention Plan.

Q. What can I do if I believe my ratings for Job Level and/or Work Level were not fairly determined?
A. In most cases where an employee believes the Job and/or Work Level were not fairly assessed, an appeal process is available. An appeal is available if you did not have a chance to fully participate in the rating process — that is you did not have an opportunity to be rated by the supervisor, rate yourself, discuss differences with the supervisor, and send additional information on to the District Review Team. You may also appeal if you disagreed with the supervisor’s rating, and asked that the next level of supervision change it, or you agreed with the supervisor, but the rating got changed by a higher level of supervision.

Q. How do I appeal?
A. Shortly, you will receive a written notice of the designation of your Job and Work Level. That form will also include an appeal form. To appeal, you must fill out the appeal form and submit it to your District Administrator or Region Director within five (5) days, together with all other information you wish to have considered, such as evaluations, commendations, statistics and any narrative or argument. You can either deliver or fax the appeal and other materials, but they must be received within five (5) days — or the appeal is waived. Every appeal should be accompanied by a narrative, and/or other documentation, because the appeal panel will have little to go on without your further input.

Q. Will AFSCME represent me in my Appeal?
A. AFSCME members are entitled to assistance in their Appeal.

Q. What if my duties are permanently changed, and I begin performing the functions of a higher level?
A. If your job duties are permanently changed, you are entitled to reassessment under the DCF plan and the AFSCME Agreement. If you believe you are entitled to reassessment, you should ask your AFSCME representative for assistance.

Q. Am I also entitled to the one-time $1,000 bonus?
A. Family Services Counselors who remain employed in good standing on the last day prior to the transition of the employee's position to community-based care are eligible to receive the $1,000 bonus.