1120-02-.13
Tenure, Employee Reclassification, Suspension, And Separation
Cite as Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1120-02-.13
(1)
Tenure of Office. The continued employment of Preferred Service Employees is contingent
on both satisfactory performance and satisfactory conduct. Satisfactory performance is
evidenced by the employee's record of performance. This provision, however, does not
prevent the layoff of an employee in accordance with a reduction in force plan approved by
the Commissioner.
(2)
Suspension. An Appointing Authority shall provide written notice upon suspending a
Preferred Service Employee without pay for disciplinary purposes. Cumulative suspensions
without pay shall not exceed thirty (30) work days in a twelve (12) month period. With
approval from the Commissioner, an Appointing Authority may suspend an employee without
pay for a period greater than thirty (30) work days, pending the appeal or the processing of
an appeal or investigation. The agency shall place a copy of the written notice of the
suspension in the employee’s human resources file.
(3)
Reduction in Force. After written notice to the Commissioner, an Appointing Authority may
implement a reduction in force, in accordance with the provisions of the Act. The
Commissioner shall establish policies pertaining to reduction in force procedures.
EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES
CHAPTER 1120-02
(4)
Resignations. An employee who resigns shall state the reasons in writing to the Appointing
Authority. To resign in good standing, the employee shall provide the resignation at least ten
(10) business days prior to the effective date of separation, unless such period is waived by
the Appointing Authority or Commissioner, who shall notify the Commissioner in writing. Any
employee who does not provide such notice may be designated as having resigned not in
good standing. A copy of the resignation shall be placed in the employee’s human resources
file.
(5)
Job Abandonment. 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 ability to appeal such action through the
appeal procedure described herein.
(6)
Dismissal. An Appointing Authority may dismiss a Preferred Service Employee for either
unsatisfactory performance or unsatisfactory conduct. Executive service employees are at-
will employees who serve at the pleasure of the Appointing Authority and do not have the
ability to appeal a dismissal.
(7)
Designation of Rehire Eligibility. When an employee separates from the state service through
retirement, resignation, or dismissal, the Appointing Authority shall make a designation
concerning the employee’s eligibility to be rehired by the agency or statewide, depending on
the nature of the separation. All separating employees designated as ineligible for rehire
statewide shall be informed in writing by the Appointing Authority of the designation and its
effect on future employment in the state service.