Connecticut State Department of Children and Families

WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MY FIRST PAYCHECK?

Under normal circumstances you will receive your first paycheck four (4) weeks after your date of hire.

DO I HAVE TO SERVE A WORKING TEST PERIOD?

All new employees to State service must serve at least a six (6) month initial working test period during which their performance is evaluated by their supervisor. Employees who are hired in the class of Social Worker or Social Worker Trainee will serve a ten (10) month working test period. Employees who are hired in the class of State School Teacher or Pupil Services Specialist will serve a one (1) year working test period.

Employees who are promoted into DCF will serve a promotional working test period of from four (4) to six (6) months depending on the appropriate collective bargaining agreement. Under certain circumstances, employees who laterally transfer into DCF may also be required to serve a working test period depending on the particular collective bargaining agreement in effect.

Employees who demonstrate acceptable overall performance will receive a satisfactory service rating and will attain permanent status in their classification. In addition, any of the following situations will result in an extension of your working test period or training period.

  1. If you are placed on sick leave for more than 15 working days, your working test period/training period shall be extended for the same number of working days charged to sick leave.
  2. If you are placed on Workers’ Compensation, your working test period/training period shall be extended for the same number of working days you are out due to Workers’ Compensation. (Some Collective Bargaining Agreements expressly provide that periods of workers’ compensation do not count towards completion of the working test period.)
  3. If you are placed on a leave of absence without pay for more than three (3) days, your working test period/training period shall be extended for the same number of working days you are on unpaid leave.
  4. If you transfer to DCF from another agency in the same class and have only partially completed the working test period, your working test period will be extended in order to complete a full working test period at DCF.
 
WHEN WILL MY MEDICAL INSURANCE CARDS BE ISSUED & WHAT IS THE COST OF INSURANCE?

Your medical and dental insurance will become effective the first of the month following your date of employment. For example, someone hired in February will be eligible for medical/dental insurance benefits effective March 1st. Your insurance cards will be mailed directly to your home by the insurance carrier you selected approximately two (2) weeks after it is effective. If you need to visit your physician or dentist before you receive your insurance card, you can ask the doctor or dentist to call and verify your coverage or you can pay the bill and submit it to the insurance company. The cost of the insurance co-pay varies from plan to plan and is subject to change. You will receive a summary sheet with cost information for available plans prior to hire.


WHAT IS THE COST OF GROUP LIFE INSURANCE AND WHEN AM I ELIGIBLE?

Group life insurance is optional and enrollment during your first six months of employment requires no physical examination. If you elect to enroll in the group life insurance program, your coverage will become effective the first of the month following your first six months of employment. For example, someone hired in February will be eligible for life insurance benefits effective August 1st. The amount of insurance is based on your annual salary and the cost varies depending on your annual salary. Contributions are made through payroll deduction.


WHEN WILL I BE ELIGIBLE TO USE VACATION AND PERSONAL LEAVE TIME?

You will be eligible to use vacation leave time after six (6) months. You will be eligible to take personal leave time once you have completed your working test period. (The exception to this rule is Social Workers and Social Worker Trainees who have a ten (10) month working test period but are eligible to use their personal leave time after six months.) Requests for time off must be made through your supervisor. Most employees accrue vacation time at the rate of one (1) day for every full calendar month worked. You will be credited with three (3) personal leave days at the beginning of each calendar year.


DOES THE STATE HAVE A RETIREMENT PLAN AND DO I HAVE TO CONTRIBUTE?

All new employees to State service become members of the Tier IIA Plan. This is a contributory plan with bi-weekly contributions of two percent (2%) of your salary. If you are employed in a hazardous duty classification your bi-weekly contribution will be five percent (5%) of your salary.

WHAT IF I AM OUT SICK OR GET HURT ON THE JOB?

Sick leave accrues at the rate of one and one-quarter (1 ¼) days for every full calendar month worked. If you are out sick you must contact your immediate supervisor to report your absence. Generally, if you are out sick for five (5) or more consecutive days you will need to provide a medical certificate upon your return to work. Please check your Collective Bargaining Agreement for the specific policy. Your supervisor will provide you with a copy of the appropriate form. If you become injured on the job you must report the injury immediately to your supervisor in order to apply for Worker’s Compensation coverage.

SALARY INCREASES

Salary increases are governed by your Collective Bargaining Agreement. Refer to the appropriate agreement for details.

ATTENDANCE AND TARDINESS POLICY

The Attendance Policy is policy number 7-9 of the Department of Children and Families Policy Manual. It is your responsibility to review and comply with the contents of this policy. Contact your supervisor if you have questions.

SICK FAMILY – BASIS FOR ELIGIBILITY

Permanent employees may be granted up to five (5) Sick Family days per calendar year for member(s) of the immediate family. This time is deducted from your sick leave accruals. Refer to your Collective Bargaining Agreement for specific details.

HOLIDAYS

The State of Connecticut recognizes twelve (12) paid holidays per year:

  • New Years Day
  • Martin Luther King’s Birthday
  • Lincoln’s Birthday
  • Washington’s Birthday (President’s Day)
  • Good Friday
  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Columbus Day
  • Veteran’s Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Day
Note: Some facility-based employees may be required to work on holidays.
In such cases, holiday pay is governed by the appropriate Collective Bargaining Agreement.

CREDIT UNION

The Connecticut State Employees Credit Union is open to all state employees.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

All permanent state employees have the option of deferring a portion of their income through payroll deduction. Deferred Compensation provides another option for employees to set aside a portion of their salary for retirement.

SAVINGS BONDS

State employees may purchase Series EE U.S. Savings Bonds through payroll deduction.

NOTE: Some benefits may be subject to change as a result of Collective Bargaining Agreements.