Longevity Step: Effective 7/1/2013

1. Why did I receive a letter from Human Resource Services regarding salary change?

As part of legislation signed into law effective July 1, 2013, the Office of the State Human Resource Director implemented a new longevity step (step M) to be added to the State salary schedule. Employees who have been at the top step (step L) in the same salary range for six years will move to the new step M. It provides an approximate 2.5 percent increase.

2. I’m currently at step L, when will I progress to step M?

For implementation of the new step M, an employee currently at step L of a salary range will progress to step M of that same salary range six years from the date they were advanced or appointed to step L. The progression to step M is regardless of what has transpired in the six years since the employee was appointed to step L, provided that the employee is at step L in the same pay range as the pay range the employee was in at the beginning of the six year period.

All movements to step M become effective on: (a) the first of the current month for actions occurring between the first and the fifteenth of the month; or (b) the first of the following month for actions occurring between the sixteenth and the end of the month.

3. I accepted a new appointment. Will the time I spent at step L in my previous position count towards the six years to qualify for step M in my new position?

If an employee accepts a new appointment to a position which is the same pay range as the previous position, the time at step L in the previous position will count towards the six years to qualify for step M in the new position.

If an employee accepts a new appointment to a position which is a different pay range as the previous position, the time at step L in the previous position will not count towards the six years to qualify for step M in the new salary range.

4. I’m currently at step L, why didn’t my step increase to step M effective July 1, 2013?

Below are examples of when a Civil Service employee at step L of the range is eligible to progress to step M.

Example A: Victor, an Office Assistant 3, range 31, progressed to step L on July 1, 2007. Effective July 1, 2013, Victor will progress to range 31, step M.

Example B: Julia, a Fiscal Technician 3, range 35, progressed to step L on October, 1, 2007. Effective October 1, 2013, Julia will progress to range 35, step M.

Example C: On July 1, 2007, Steven was classified as a Program Assistant, range 32, step L. Steven, was reclassified to a Program Coordinator, range 37, and progressed to step L on July 1, 2009. Although Steven is at step L, he was not in the same pay range at the beginning of the six year period. Assuming Steven is in the same pay range, he will be eligible to progress to step M on July 1, 2015

5. I was previously in an Administrative Professional (AP) position and exercised my right to return to Civil Service. How will the time I spent in my AP position be applied to my current Civil Service position?

An employee’s base salary must not be less than the employee’s previous base salary in classified service, adjusted according to any changes to salary range that occurred while the employee was in exempt service. If the employee was at step L at the time they accepted the exempt appointment and they are returned to step L of the same pay range, time spent in exempt service will count towards the six years to qualify for step M.

6. Where can I find information on all the new sections and amended sections of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC), which are changed or impacted by the adoption of the new step M?

Information on all changes and impacts of the adoption of the new step M can be found in the WAC.

Information from the DOP Rules Website on Step M FAQs for Unrepresented Employees.

7. I am a Bargaining Unit employee, how do these changes impact me?

Please refer to your collective bargaining agreement or contact the HRS Labor Relations unit at 509-335-4521.

8. Still have questions

Please contact Human Resource Services at 509-335-4521