SOP_NUMBER: 104.15
TITLE: Work Test and Permanent Status for Classified Employees
REFERENCE_CODE: IVO03-0009
DIVISION: Administration & Finance
TOPIC_AREA: Human Resources - Applicant/Vacancy/Hiring/Position
EFFECTIVE_DATE: 2018-09-06
WORD_COUNT: 1206
POWERDMS_URL: https://public.powerdms.com/GADOC/documents/105200
URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/104.15/

SUMMARY:
This policy establishes procedures for classified employees who are promoted, demoted, or transferred within the Georgia Department of Corrections to serve an appropriate Working Test Period (probationary period of 6-12 months). During this period, employees must demonstrate they can satisfactorily perform their new position duties through formal evaluation. The policy includes requirements for mid-year reviews and procedures for achieving permanent status in the new position.

KEY_TOPICS: work test period, probationary period, classified employees, promotion, demotion, transfer, interdepartmental transfer, permanent status, mid-year review, working test evaluation, appointing authority, employee examination, pay grade, unclassified positions, State Personnel Board

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|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:** Work Test & Permanent Status for Classified Employees|**Policy Name:** Work Test & Permanent Status for Classified Employees|**Policy Name:** Work Test & Permanent Status for Classified Employees|
|**Policy Number:** 104.15|**Effective Date:** 9/6/2018|**Page Number:** 1 of 4|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner|**Originating Division:** <br>Administration & Finance<br>Division (Human Resources)<br>|**Access Listing:**<br>Level I: All Access<br>|



**I.** **Introduction and Summary:**

Classified employees who are Promoted, Demoted, or Transferred to a classified
position shall serve the appropriate Working Test Period. The successful completion
of the Working Test Period is part of the employment examination procedure as
applicable under the State Personnel Board Rules.

**II.** **Authority** :

A. O.C.G.A.§: 45-20-6 Classified Service;

B. State Personnel Board Rules: 478-1-.02 Terms and Definitions, 478-1-.10

Classification Plan, 478-1-.15 Changes to Employment Status, 478-1-.16 Absence
from Work, and 478-1-.24 Working Test and Permanent Status for Classified
Employees; and

C. ACA Standards: 2-CO-1C-15 and 4-4059.


**III.** **Definitions:**

A. **Working Test Period**    - 6 to 12 months’ probationary period of employment in a

classified position, in which the classified employee must demonstrate with a
formal evaluation, to the satisfaction of the Appointing Authority, the knowledge,
skills, abilities and other necessary qualities to satisfactorily perform the duties of
the position.

B. **Working Test Mid-Year Review -** A management review by the Appointing

Authority. It includes an evaluation of the employee’s progress and
recommendations, if any, for corrective action.

C. **Interdepartmental Transfer -** Movement of an employee from a classified

position in one agency to a classified position in another agency.

D. **Promotion -** Movement of an eligible employee from a position on a lower pay

grade to a position on a higher pay grade.

E. **Demotion -** Movement of an employee from a position on a higher pay grade to a

position on a lower pay grade.


|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:** Work Test & Permanent Status for Classified Employees|**Policy Name:** Work Test & Permanent Status for Classified Employees|**Policy Name:** Work Test & Permanent Status for Classified Employees|
|**Policy Number:** 104.15|**Effective Date:** 9/6/2018|**Page Number:** 2 of 4|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner|**Originating Division:** <br>Administration & Finance<br>Division (Human Resources)<br>|**Access Listing:**<br>Level I: All Access<br>|



F. **Transfer -** Movement of an employee to another position on the same job or to a

position on a different job of the same pay grade.

**IV.** **Statement of Policy and Applicable Procedures:**

This is applicable to all existing classified employees who are Promoted, Demoted or
Transferred to a classified position within the Georgia Department of Corrections
(GDC). It also applies to classified employees of other state agencies who Transfer to
a classified position within GDC. If the employee is classified and is moving to a
position which is unclassified, the employee becomes unclassified permanently.


**Examples:**








|OLD<br>POSITION|NEW<br>POSITION|CLASSIFICATION<br>STATUS|
|---|---|---|
|Classified|Classified|Classified|
|Classified|Unclassified|Unclassified|
|Unclassified|Unclassified|Unclassified|
|Unclassified|Classified|Unclassified|



A. Rules for Classified Employees:


1. The Working Test Period: The Working Test Period shall be an essential part

of the examination process and applies to Promotions and Interdepartmental
Transfers of classified employees ONLY. The length of the Working Test
Period for each job is set by the Commissioner of the Department of
Administrative Services (DOAS).

2. Start of the Working Test Period: The Working Test Period shall begin with

the first day the classified employee actually reports for work except in
instances where the first workday of the month is a regularly scheduled nonworkday for the position. For example, if the classified employee reports to
work on the first workday of the month, the Working Test Period shall be
deemed to have begun on the first day of the month. The classified employee
cannot be placed in pay status until the employee actually reports for work.


|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:** Work Test & Permanent Status for Classified Employees|**Policy Name:** Work Test & Permanent Status for Classified Employees|**Policy Name:** Work Test & Permanent Status for Classified Employees|
|**Policy Number:** 104.15|**Effective Date:** 9/6/2018|**Page Number:** 3 of 4|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner|**Originating Division:** <br>Administration & Finance<br>Division (Human Resources)<br>|**Access Listing:**<br>Level I: All Access<br>|



3. Length of Working Test Period: The DOAS Commissioner may fix the length

of the Working Test Period for any job at not less than six (6) nor more than
eighteen (18) months. The Working Test Period will be the first six (6) months
in a position unless the DOAS Commissioner designates a different length.
The length of the Working Test Period shall apply to all positions in the job
affected, but if the period is increased in duration, employees employed under
the shorter period will acquire permanent status as if the length had not been
increased, unless otherwise specified by the DOAS Commissioner.

4. Extending Working Test Period: The Working Test Period shall be extended

day for day by any time spent on leave with pay under the State Personnel
Board Rule Provisions for Special Injury Leave (Rules 478-1-.16(20)) or in
non-pay status. Exception: Time spent in non-pay status for ordered
uniformed service (as defined in the Uniformed Services Employment and
Reemployment Rights Act) shall not extend the Working Test Period.

5. Adverse Action Appeals: As part of a consent agreement to dispose of an

adverse action appeal entered into, in accordance with the provisions of 4781-.24(2)(d), a classified employee may be placed on Working Test status. The
length of the Working Test Period and the consequences of failure to
satisfactorily complete such Working Test, shall be clearly indicated in the
terms of the agreement.


B. Working Test Mid-Year Review:


1. The Appointing Authority, or designee, shall conduct a mid-year performance

review for each employee serving a Working Test Period.

2. The mid-year review shall be presented to the employee within ten (10)

calendar days of the date the employee completes one-half of the Working Test
Period or as near to that date as is practicable.

3. The mid-year review shall include an evaluation of the employee’s progress

and recommendations, if any, for corrective action.


|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:** Work Test & Permanent Status for Classified Employees|**Policy Name:** Work Test & Permanent Status for Classified Employees|**Policy Name:** Work Test & Permanent Status for Classified Employees|
|**Policy Number:** 104.15|**Effective Date:** 9/6/2018|**Page Number:** 4 of 4|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner|**Originating Division:** <br>Administration & Finance<br>Division (Human Resources)<br>|**Access Listing:**<br>Level I: All Access<br>|



4. Such management review shall be conducted solely for the purpose of

promoting efficient management and employee development and shall not be
interpreted as granting any additional rights to the Working Test employee.

C. Permanent Status:


1. Permanent Status: It shall be the responsibility of the Department Human

Resources (HR) Director to determine whether a working test classified
employee is to be granted permanent status. Permanent status shall be effective
immediately following completion of a satisfactory performance management
review. If it is determined that the classified employee is not to be granted
permanent status, the Department HR Director shall affect the Transfer,
Demotion, or separation of the employee.

2. Permanent Status with License or Certificate: Permanent status shall not be

granted to a classified employee prior to the acquisition and submission to the
Appointing Authority of any required license or certificate.

**V.** **Attachments:** None.

**VI.** **Record Retention of Forms Relevant to this Policy:** None.