Tennessee § 8-30-316 - Dismissal, demotion or suspension for cause.
Full text of Tennessee Tennessee Code Annotated § 8-30-316 — Dismissal, demotion or suspension for cause., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 8-30-316. Dismissal, demotion or suspension for cause.
An employee in the preferred service who has successfully completed a probationary period becomes a preferred service employee and may be dismissed, demoted, or suspended for cause. The dismissal of a preferred service employee will take effect immediately after the appointing authority gives notice to such employee and files a written statement with the commissioner. The employee shall continue to receive compensation for ten (10) days following the date of dismissal. An appointing authority may dismiss any employee when the authority determines that the good of the service will be served thereby. Whenever an employee is dismissed “for the good of the service,” the notice of termination must outline the reasons for dismissal. If an employee in state service willfully refuses or fails to appear before any legislative committee, or any officer, board or body authorized to conduct any hearing or inquiry, the employee shall forfeit the employee's position and shall not be eligible for appointment to any position in state service. Any employee who is absent from duty for more than three (3) consecutive work days without giving prior written or electronic notice to the appointing authority or appropriate manager that specifies the reason for such absence, and without securing permission to be on leave, or who fails to report for duty or to the immediate supervisor or the appointing authority within two (2) work days after the expiration of any authorized leave of absence, is considered as having resigned not in good standing, absent extenuating circumstances beyond the control of the employee causing the employee's absence or preventing the employee's return. An employee deemed to have resigned in accordance with these circumstances shall have the right to appeal such action through the appeal procedure described herein. The commissioner may dismiss an employee if the commissioner finds that the employee was appointed as a result of fraud. A preferred service employee is entitled to appeal a dismissal, demotion, or suspension as provided in § 8-30-318. A notice of termination shall include the reason for the termination in clear and concise language and shall state the facts that led to the termination. Acts 2012, ch. 800, § 37; 2017, ch. 469, § 4. Compiler's Notes. Acts 2012, ch. 800, § 1 provided that the act, which repealed and reenacted this part, shall be known and cited as the “Tennessee Excellence, Accountability, and Management (T.E.A.M.) Act of 2012.” Former part 3, §§ 8-30-301 — 8-30-333 (Acts 1939, ch. 221, §§ 8, 14-27, 30-34, 37; 1947, ch. 6, §§ 1, 2; 1949, ch. 112, § 1; C. Supp. 1950, §§ 1034.30, 1034.36 — 1034.49, 1034.52 — 1034.56, 1034.59 (Williams, §§ 423.24h, 423.24n — 423.24z, 423.24aa, 423.24dd — 423.24hh, 423.24kk); Acts 1953, ch. 131, § 1; impl. am. Acts 1959, ch. 9, § 4; Acts 1959, ch. 146, §§ 1, 2; impl. am. Acts 1961, ch. 97, §§ 2, 4; Acts 1961, ch. 211, § 1; 1967, ch. 242, § 1; 1967, ch. 366, §§ 2, 3; 1971, ch. 264, § 1; 1972, ch. 453; 1979, ch. 241, § 1; 1979, ch. 262, §§ 1, 2; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), §§ 8-3201 — 8-3-3220 , 8-3222 — 8-3227; Acts 1980, ch. 701, §§ 8,9; 1980, ch. 834, § 1; 1980, ch. 880, § 1; Acts 1980, ch. 882, § 1; 1981, ch. 423, § 1; 1981, ch. 429, § 6; 1981, ch. 430, § 1; 1982, ch. 853, § 1; 1982, ch. 884, § 1; 1983, ch. 79, §§ 1-4; 1983, ch. 279, § 1; 1983, ch. 288, § 1; 1984, ch. 622, § 1; 1984, ch. 658, § 1; 1984, ch. 842, § 1; 1986, ch. 869, §§ 4-7, 10-15, 18, 23; 1987, ch. 69, §§ 2, 3, 5; 1987, ch. 101, § 1; 1987, ch. 353, § 1; Acts 1987, ch. 359, § 1; 1988, ch. 576, § 1; 1988, ch. 612, §§ 1, 2; 1988, ch. 778, § 1; 1988, ch. 893, § 1; 1989, ch. 44, § 1; 1989, ch. 284, § 1; 1989, ch. 591, § 113; 1990, ch. 723, § 1; 1991, ch. 48, §§ 1-3; 1991, ch. 238, § 1; 1992, ch. 609, §§ 1, 2; 1992, ch. 729, § 1; 1992, ch. 792, §§ 1, 2; 1993, ch. 268, §§ 1, 2; 1993, ch. 290, §§ 1, 2; 1993, ch. 496, § 1; 1994, ch. 631, § 1; 1994, ch. 671, §§ 1, 2; 1996, ch. 947, § 1; 1998, ch. 736, § 1; 1999, ch. 520, § 32; 1999, ch. 534, § 1; 2000, ch. 656, § 2; 2001, ch. 159, § 1; 2003, ch. 355, § 11; 2009, ch. 1, § 2; 2010, ch. 746, § 1; 2010, ch. 794, § 1; 2011, ch. 47, § 5), concerning civil service appointments and tenure, was repealed and reenacted by Acts 2012, ch. 800, §§ 22-41, effective October 1, 2012. Many of the Notes to Decisions annotations were decided under similar provisions of former T.C.A. § 8-30-326 . Amendments. The 2017 amendment added (g). Effective Dates. Acts 2017, ch. 469, § 7. July 1, 2017.
Source: official Tennessee text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee § 8-30-316
What does Tennessee Code Annotated § 8-30-316 cover?
Section 8-30-316 ("Dismissal, demotion or suspension for cause.") is part of the Tennessee Code Annotated, the codified statutory law of Tennessee. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Tennessee § 8-30-316?
A common citation format is "Tennessee Code Annotated § 8-30-316" (Tennessee). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Tennessee law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Tennessee official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Tennessee attorney.
How does Tennessee § 8-30-316 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Tennessee can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
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