FAQs - Workforce
TRANSITION TO SERVICE PROVIDER
AT&T has announced plans to layoff 12,000 employees. Will these layoffs affect the transition of Managed Network Services to AT&T and the job offers that have already been extended to state employees?
The layoffs will have no effect on the state’s contract with AT&T, the transition of services or employment offers. To put the layoffs in perspective, they will affect 4 percent of the company’s workforce and take place nationwide between December 2008 and the end of 2009.
How long will the service provider keep us employed?
Just like state government, each of the service providers is an at-will employer. However, from the beginning of the procurement process, our intent has been that transitioned employees would have the opportunity and expectation of regular, long-term employment with the service provider.
If I am in Stream 1, will I work for the primary contractor or a sub-contractor?
Your job offer will come from the service provider (primary or sub-contractor) responsible for the work that you do. In any case, the primary and sub-contractors will follow the same HR requirements such as:
- Comparable total compensation package
- Recognition of years of state service (participation in benefits programs, vacation, eligibility and vesting in 401k plans)
- No wait time for benefits
- Waiver of pre-existing health conditions
- No pre-employment testing or background checks
RETIREMENT
What provisions are there for employees who receive a job offer from a service provider and are near a key milestone?
We studied the issue thoroughly, first considering our business needs and then looking at what other states have done. We also talked with the service providers and worked with the Employees’ Retirement System, the Office of the Attorney General and legal counsel.
We determined key milestones for transitioning employees: 34, 30, 25 years and 10 years (age 60).
Criteria
- Employees within one year of 34, 30, or 25 years (regardless of age) or 10 years (at age 60) will be retained by GTA until they reach the milestone. Then they will transfer to the service provider.
- “Critical employees” within two years of 34, 30, or 25 years (regardless of age) or 10 years (at age 60) will be retained by GTA until they reach the milestone. Then they will transfer to the service provider. Critical employees have been defined as those who are critical to the transition and ongoing operation of services because of their senior technical expertise and key business knowledge. Critical employees were determined by their IT management team and agency lead.
They will receive and respond to their offers at the same time as other employees.
Employees who work for an agency other than GTA will transfer to GTA until they reach their milestone.
I currently have 16 years of service with the state. Can I use 10 years of this service to qualify for retirement with the state and 6 years for vested time with the service provider?
The service provider will recognize all of your years of state service. Using your situation as an example, this requirement ensures that an employee with 16 years of service with the state will be both vested with the state of
I am not yet vested with the state and want to remain in information technology. How will the outsourcing benefit my career?
Working for one of the service providers will be very beneficial to your career. Since IT is their core competency, they offer opportunities for training and career development that are not available by working for state government. There will also be opportunities to work for other companies that outsource their IT operations to the service provider.
How can I get help or guidance on retirement issues?
You may contact your agency’s HR office or the Employees’ Retirement System. You can reach the ERS toll-free at 1.800.805.4609 or in metropolitan
If a state employee is eligible to retire, can they retire from state service and go to work for the outsourcing vendor?
Yes, provided that they receive an employment offer from the service provider.
If I go with the service provider and wait until I'm 65 to start drawing state retirement, will I be eligible for state health insurance at that time?
Health insurance benefits can be kept if you immediately retire with a monthly benefit. All other questions should be answered by the Department of Community Health, www.dch.state.ga.us.
I have time that I spent as a temporary employee waiting to be hired full time. Can I purchase that time back?
Under rules of the Employee Retirement System, time worked as a temporary employee is not eligible to be purchased.
Can you explain the basics about state retirement?
- Employees have multiple options concerning their state retirement.
- Many employees will already qualify for a retirement benefit under the Employees Retirement System. Eligibility is based on age and length of service. Employees can retire with 10 years of service if they are at least 60 or with 30 years of service regardless of age. A 25-year retirement is also available, but the benefit is reduced by 7 percent for each year under 30 years of service or for each year under age 60. Employees who are eligible for retirement may purchase up to three years of additional service.
- Employees who are already vested (they have 10 years of service credit) may leave their contributions on deposit with the Employees Retirement System and qualify for a retirement benefit at age 60.
- Employees with fewer than 10 years of service credit may also leave their contributions on deposit and re-establish their previous membership if they return to state service within four years.
I will be vested soon. How will I be affected?
- Employees who are already vested (they have 10 years of service credit) may leave their contributions on deposit with the Employees Retirement System and qualify for a retirement benefit at age 60.
- Employees with fewer than 10 years of service credit may also leave their contributions on deposit and re-establish their previous membership if they return to state service within four years.
- If you receive a job offer from a service provider and you are within one year of 10 years (at age 60), you will be retained by GTA until you reach your milestone. Then you will transfer to the service provider.
- If you receive a job offer from a service provider and you are a “critical employee” within two years of 10 years (at age 60), you will be retained by GTA until you reach your milestone. Then you will transfer to the service provider. Critical employees have been defined as those who are critical to the transition and ongoing operation of services because of their senior technical expertise and key business knowledge. Critical employees were determined by their IT management team and agency lead.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Will I have a lapse in insurance coverage? Will there be a waiting period for health insurance? Will employees who transition to the service provider(s) be offered health insurance on the first day of work?
We are requiring the service providers to waive all waiting periods for health insurance. This ensures that in-scope employees who transition to a service provider will have health insurance on the first day of work. The intent of this requirement is to prevent any lapse in insurance coverage.
Will the service provider’s health insurance plan offer coverage for both me and my immediate family members?
Yes.
If an employee has an existing medical condition, will it now be considered a pre-existing medical condition?
No. We are requiring the service providers to waive limitations on coverage of pre-existing conditions.
What will be the pay scale once we are in private sector? Will we get a pay increase or will we be asked to take a pay cut?
The service providers are offering a compensation package that is comparable to what you currently receive from the state. You can expect your salary to remain the same when you transition to the service provider.