Idaho § 67-5309D - Other pay delivery options

§ 67-5309D. Other pay delivery options

(1) In addition to pay increases authorized in section 67-5309B , Idaho Code, the department director may grant a classified employee bonus pay not to exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000) in any given fiscal year based on exemplary performance. Exceptions to the two-thousand-dollar ($2,000) limit provided in this subsection may be granted in extraordinary circumstances if approved in advance by the state board of examiners. Departments shall submit a report to the division of financial management and the legislative services office by October 1 on all bonuses granted in the preceding fiscal year.

(2) In addition to pay increases authorized in section 67-5309B , Idaho Code, the department director may grant a classified employee an award payment based on suggestions or recommendations made by the employee that resulted in taxpayer savings as a result of cost savings or greater efficiencies to the department or to the state of Idaho in excess of the amount of the award and in compliance with the rules for employee suggestion awards promulgated by the division of human resources. The award may be an amount up to twenty-five percent (25%) of the amount determined to be the dollar savings to the state, but not in excess of two thousand dollars ($2,000). Exceptions to the two-thousand-dollar ($2,000) limit provided in this subsection may be granted in extraordinary circumstances if approved in advance by the state board of examiners. Departments shall submit a report to the division of financial management and the legislative services office by October 1 on all employee suggestion awards granted in the preceding fiscal year. Such report shall include any changes made as a direct result of an employee’s suggestion and savings resulting therefrom.

(3) In addition to pay increases authorized in section 67-5309B , Idaho Code, the department director may grant award pay to a classified employee for recruitment or retention purposes. Retention bonuses require completion of at least six (6) months of achieving performance standards prior to issuance. The department director and the administrator of the division of human resources are authorized to seek legal remedies available, including deductions from an employee’s accrued vacation funds, from an employee who resigns during the designated period of time after receipt of a recruitment or retention bonus. Departments shall submit a report to the division of financial management and the legislative services office by October 1 on all such awards granted in the preceding fiscal year.

(4) In addition to pay increases authorized in section 67-5309B , Idaho Code, department directors may provide a classified employee other nonperformance-related pay as provided in this subsection. Departments shall submit a report to the division of financial management and the legislative services office by October 1 on all such awards granted in the preceding fiscal year, including:

(a) Shift differential pay up to twenty-five percent (25%) of hourly rates depending on local market rates in order to attract and retain qualified staff;

(b) Geographic differential pay in areas of the state where recruitment and retention of qualified staff are difficult due to economic conditions and cost of living; and

(c) Wildland firefighter differential pay up to twenty-five percent (25%) of hourly rates for wildland firefighting personnel who hold current incident qualification cards while working on the fireline of a fire incident not deemed controlled or at a fire incident helibase servicing active flights.

Employees in the same classification who are similarly situated shall be treated consistently in respect to shift differential and geographic pay differential.

(5) When necessary to obtain or retain qualified personnel in a particular classification, upon petition of the department to the administrator containing acceptable reasons therefor, a higher temporary pay grade may be authorized by the administrator that, if granted, shall be reviewed annually to determine the need for continuance.

(6) In unusual circumstances, with prior approval from the administrators of the division of human resources and the division of financial management, agencies may grant nonperformance-related pay to employees, which in no case may exceed five percent (5%) of an employee’s base pay. Departments shall submit a report to the division of financial management and the legislative services office by October 1 on all such awards granted in the preceding fiscal year.

(7) Specific pay codes shall be established and maintained in the state controller’s office to ensure accurate reporting and monitoring of all pay actions authorized in this section.

[67-5309D, added 2006, ch. 380, sec. 15, p. 1191; am. 2017, ch. 91, sec. 1, p. 238; am. 2022, ch. 202, sec. 2, p. 661; am. 2023, ch. 53, sec. 2, p. 202.]