April 2018: Volume 1, Issue 1 Our Mission: To provide merit-based, innovative workforce solutions which enable state government to attract, develop and retain a productive, diverse and engaged workforce that excels in delivering quality services to the citizens of Louisiana.

Louisiana State Civil Service launches social media campaign Louisiana State Civil Service is pleased to announce the expansion of social media platforms as part of its rebranding efforts. The launch includes the release of the two newly created videos – “Every Day for Every Citizen – A Louisiana Pop-Up Video” and “Market Adjustment System Benefits Video,” addition of Facebook and LinkedIn pages, and a logo redesign. In this endeavor, SCS continues to strives for clear communication between state government and the public, while also focusing on more positive aspects of its workforce, by creating content that is both relevant and easy to understand. “The expansion into social media platforms will help us reach a broader audience and will allow us the opportunity to showcase the positive impacts our state employees bring to our communities,” said State Civil Service Director Byron P. Decoteau, Jr. “We believe it is incumbent to bring forward the positive faces and stories that occur behind the scenes in state government.” The “ Every Day for Every Citizen – A Louisiana Pop-Up Video ” follows the morning routine of a Louisiana citizen, depicting how she encounters numerous services provided by multiple State Agencies and how those services enrich all of our lives daily. The concept emphasizes that state employees really do work hard every day, for every citizen. It will be available to view on our website and social media accounts. The “ Market Adjustment System Benefits Video ,” accessible on our Facebook page, explains how the responsible and effective Market Adjustment system from State Civil Service aims to help state agencies reduce costly turnover, increase employee productivity, and provide quality services to the citizens of Louisiana.

Charles Dunbar, Jr. Career Service Award 2017 Kathy Baker, Human Resources Consultant Specialist for State Civil Service, has worked for the State of Louisiana for over 30 years and has served our citizens at the Baton Rouge Information and Testing Office since 2007. Not only is Kathy a dedicated employee who always strives to do her best, she has been instrumental in consolidating and streamlining the test scoring process, implementing a new Scantron software and developing an improved security tracking system of test booklet inventory. She goes above and beyond to assist Veterans and their spouses at Veteran's job fairs and Yellow Ribbon events. Kathy serves as the Vice President of the Blue Star Mothers of America, Louisiana Geaux Seven Chapter, and facilitates care package supply drives for the deployed. She coordinates food drives for the homeless Veterans in Baton Rouge and delivers handmade quilts to Veterans as well. She is also an active member of her church, where she serves as Treasurer, and has been dedicated to restoring the church following the 2016 floods. Congratulations Kathy and thank you for all you do! We're proud to have you on our team!

Outstanding Human Resources Program Evaluations  State Civil Service would like to announce two outstanding Human Resources Program Evaluations recently conducted by the Accountability Division. Southeastern Louisiana University (SLU) and Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) received outstanding evaluations with 100% compliance in all categories audited.

Melinda Robert, SCS Accountability Administrator; and Tara Dupre, SLU Human Resources Director

Rob Wood, SCS Accountability Consultant; Holly Anderson, CPRA HR Specialist; and Haley Plauche, CPRA HR Analyst

The State Civil Service Accountability Division is responsible for providing an objective evaluation of the human resource practices used by state agencies to manage the classified work force. It assesses the effectiveness of those practices and overall adherence to merit principles and compliance with State Civil Service Rules. Other excellent evaluations conducted this fiscal year, having minimal deficiencies were:

Alexandria Housing Authority Bossier Parish Community College Department of Economic Development Jefferson Parish Human Services Authority Louisiana Public Service Commission Louisiana Department of Health McNeese State University

Rayburn Correctional Center Secretary of State Southwest Louisiana Veterans Home Villa Feliciana Medical Complex Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Northeast Louisiana Veterans Home Southeast Louisiana Veterans Home

The evaluation reports received by these agencies show the value and importance of excellence they place on human resources management in state government. It is rarely an easy task to receive this type of report as agencies face the many complex challenges in human resources.

LASERS Proposes New Rank-and-File Retirement Plan  Senate Bill 14 (SB 14) authored by Senate Retirement Committee Chair Barrow Peacock, sets forth a LASERS proposed plan for legislative consideration. It would apply to those rank-and-file members hired on or after January 1, 2020. Rank-and-file members hired on or after July 1, 2006, would be given a window to join the new plan for prospective service. Benefits for current employees would otherwise not be impacted. The proposed plan will have NO negative impact on the funding of benefits and COLAs for our current members. LASERS is actuarially funded, which means retirees' benefits are funded throughout their careers. The current plan available to LASERS new rank-and-file members is very different from the one that was in place for members hired before July 1, 2006. Our research shows that the current plan will not provide retirement security for the vast majority of these new hires. LASERS actuary has concluded that only five percent of members in our current rank-and-file plan for new hires will actually stay in the System long enough to receive an unreduced retirement benefit. In fact, we expect that 70 percent will leave state service before retirement eligibility and receive only a refund of their employee contributions. Employers are finding it very typical for this new generation to try different jobs rather than stay with the same employer for their entire career. This realization caused LASERS to explore whether a new plan could be crafted to better meet the needs of this new generation, while at the same time reducing the risk of future unfunded accrued liability (UAL). Our research led to the proposal for a retirement plan that combines the elements of both defined benefit (our current plan) and defined contribution (like a 401(k)) plans. By reducing the risk of creating future unfunded accrued liability, SB 14 is an important further step in pension reform. It would provide a secure base benefit for employees with the defined benefit component. The defined contribution component would add a level of portability to an employee's benefit that does not currently exist. For details on the plan,  view the summary sheet on the LASERS website at lasersonline.org . If passed, the new proposed LASERS plan would provide retirement security for a new generation of retirees. It will have no negative impact on the sustainability of our System. On the contrary, the reduction of risk of future UAL will be beneficial to both the System and the State.

Have Something To Add?  This publication is intended to provide for increased communication between the Department of State Civil Service and all stakeholders within our system. Email your questions, comments, or suggestions to us, and we'll do our best to respond promptly. Your feedback may even be chosen for publication as part of this feature! Participants will remain anonymous if requested. Please note that not all feedback will be published and that only fact-based questions will receive a response.

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