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A Message from Governor Steve Beshear
Dear fellow state employees,
 As Kentucky continues to deal with the aftermath of one of the worst natural disasters in modern day history, I want to personally thank state employees who have gone over and beyond the call of duty to bring aid and care to their fellow Kentuckians.
The combination of ice and snow knocked power and communications out all across this Commonwealth, denying hundreds of thousands of people basic necessities like water, food, heat and shelter.
Some 101 counties have declared emergencies, as have 78 cities.
If it weren’t for the dedication of thousands of state employees, however, the suffering would be much worse.
Numerous employee groups – from forestry workers to Fish & Wildlife officers to our public health department workers – have joined our National Guard, police officers, firefighters and other emergency personnel to find those who need help and deliver it.
In addition, our road crews have been working for over a week – many during 18-hour days – to clear both primary and secondary roads.
That work continues even today.
Many of our employees have done so even though their own families are suffering from the storm.
I know it's a tough time to be a public employee, with salaries frozen or barely creeping upward, and workloads often increasing.
But I wanted you to know that I – like your fellow Kentuckians spread all across this state – appreciate the job you do and the dedicated manner in which you do it.
You make me proud to be your governor.
Governor Steve Beshear
So, today is a new day in state government…in many respects…
 We have a new administration, new budget “opportunities,” and as evidenced by our newly revamped Personnel Connection newsletter, we have a renewed focus on connecting with and serving our state employees.
Your Personnel Cabinet is absolutely interested in assuring that you are heard, valued, respected, and understood at work. Our vision is to be regarded by our employees and stakeholders as a trusted and valuable resource for innovative, accessible, and responsive human resources service.
We are looking to transform the way that Human Resources is practiced in state government. Within our cabinet, we hope to move from being a “transaction-oriented” cabinet to a progressive, strategic, and innovative cabinet where workplace engagement, leadership discipline, and employee growth and development are key process drivers.
We have four strategic goals that we will focus on for the next two years. They are:
- Helping the Commonwealth become an Employer of Choice-This is the culture opportunity. How can we assure that our work culture is as compelling as the appeal of our stability and benefits?
- Assuring that we cultivate a Learning and Development culture across state government-This is much more than just sending employees to training programs. What happens when we learn? How does the workplace and the employee become more enriched? How do we share talent more seamlessly across cabinets?
- Promoting a “One Employer” mindset across the enterprise-Though we may be aligned to a particular agency or cabinet, we all work for state government. Our recruiting, hiring, orientation, promotion, performance, and exit processes ought to be much more consistent.
- Becoming much more Customer Focused in our work-This is really geared toward the Personnel Cabinet. I want to assure that our products, services and offerings are in keeping with our customer’s (your) expectations.
So, look to see more of us and to hear more from me. Why? Because the successful realization of our vision is inextricably linked to our ability to connect with each one of you. Our motto within our cabinet is to “serve the people who serve the people”, that’s you. We are in service to YOU. This is critical to me. I invite you, to hold us accountable for living our vision.
Enjoy the articles to follow.
Yours in Service,
Nikki Jackson
Journey to Wellness Update
 Kentucky state employees have embarked on the Journey to Wellness. New state wellness director, Stephanie Marshall, is working hard behind the scenes to get a couple of activities on the calendar in this first quarter of 2009. Here are a few that are confirmed, but keep your eyes and ears open for more. We hope that you’ll take charge of your health by taking part in these activities:
- Feb. 23, 11:30-12:30: Heart Health presentation at Transportation auditorium
- Mar. 17, 11:30: St. Patrick’s Day Parade (group walk) - details to come
You can check out the Web site here.
Also, don’t forget to sign up for the Virgin HealthMiles program to be eligible to earn some extra cash.
Governor’s Ambassador Award
Now Accepting Nominations
To recognize state employees’ significant contributions to their workplace and their community, the Personnel Cabinet is launching an enterprise-wide storytelling initiative designed to encourage, support, acknowledge, and reward employees who embody the principles of Kentucky’s Unbridled Spirit.
Each recipient of the Governor’s Ambassador Award will receive special recognition during an annual awards ceremony and have an engraved, personalized brick placed outside the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History.
To nominate a deserving employee, visit the Governor's Ambassador Award Page.
KHS Assistant Director Receives Award for Outstanding Contributions
 Marilyn A. Zoidis, assistant director of the Kentucky Historical Society (KHS), was honored on December 15, 2008 in a ceremony at the Bolling Air Force Base Officers’ Club in Washington, D.C. Zoidis received recognition for her accomplishments as a curator and director in the museum profession, including her service as senior curator of the Smithsonian Institution’s Star-Spangled Banner Restoration Project. View the full article here.
The Governor’s Employee Advisory Council (GEAC)
Last year, Gov. Beshear signed an executive order re-establishing the Governor’s Employee Advisory Council (GEAC). GEAC is made up of five employee organizations that represent employees throughout the executive branch of state government. The Council advises Gov. Beshear on issues related to state employees. Many state employees are eligible for membership in a GEAC organization. To find out more about GEAC and its organizations, log onto the GEAC page of the Personnel Cabinet’s Web site, or you can call Charles B. Wells, the Personnel Cabinet's GEAC agency representative at 502.564.6061.
Go Green with the Kentucky Government Recycling Program
In December of 1980, the state government paper recycling program began with one worker and a Chevy LUV truck. Today, the Government Recycling Section now has six full-time employees and three box trucks.
In 2008, the recycling team collected more than 3.5 million pounds of white ledger paper, newspaper, mixed paper, and corrugated boxes. This recycled paper will be made into new products such as paper towels, paper plates, cereal boxes, new newsprint, etc. The amount of paper collected last year translates into 308 pounds per state employee. According to an informal survey, Kentucky’s competition is Minnesota with an employee recycling rate of 340 pounds.
A paper bale weighs about 1,400 pounds and nets the program about $150 to $200; whereas, the disposal of this much paper in a landfill would cost $20 to $25. The Government Recycling Program is a self-sustaining program, as it is funded by proceeds from paper sales. Since the program receives no general fund money, it doesn’t cost the taxpayers. This allows the program to offer free recycling services – including confidential document destruction – to state agencies. For more information, visit the state government recycling section page.
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Winter Storms: Deceptive Killers
While the danger from winter weather varies across the country, nearly all Americans, regardless of where they live, are likely to face some type of severe winter weather at some point in their lives. The National Weather Service refers to winter storms as the “Deceptive Killers” because most deaths are indirectly related to the storm. Instead, people die in traffic accidents on icy roads and of hypothermia from prolonged exposure to cold. It is important to be prepared for winter weather before it strikes. Find out how to be prepared here.
News You Can Use
Governor Announces State Assistance for Removal of Storm Debris
Guidelines Offered for Storm Debris and Tree Damage
State has guidelines for storm debris
Consumers Should Use Caution During Storm Clean-up
Understanding Insurance Policy Key in Storm Recovery
KHRIS Is Coming!! The Kentucky Human Resource Information System (KHRIS) will go-live in 2009. The training phase for KHRIS users has begun. Your agency will provide your training information and schedule to you. During training you will learn how to enter your timesheet, request leave and training, view your detailed pay statements and much more!!! And all of these new features can be done from any computer with Internet access. For more details, visit the KHRIS Web site.
2009 Deferral Limits
The Internal Revenue Service has issued the Retirement Plan Limits for 2009. These limits define how many dollars an individual can defer into various supplemental retirement plans, including the 401(k) and 457 Plans offered through the Kentucky Public Employees' Deferred Compensation Authority. For deferral limit details, please visit the KY Deferred Compensation Web site.
Money Management
With the holidays behind us and the nation’s focus on economic tough times, there’s no better time to review your own financial health. The Kentucky Employee Assistance Program (KEAP) is now offering its State Employee Money Management workshop in a slide presentation format, so if you can’t attend the workshop, we’ll bring it to your desktop. The presentation covers a wide range of topics including basic budgeting, disability, Flexible Spending Accounts, wills and Power of Attorney, debt elimination, emergency savings, and retirement. For more information, visit the KEAP site.
Performance Management
"Successful Performance Management is a mutual, ongoing communication process between the supervisor and employee that leads to a positive relationship and commitment for planned performance. The Performance Evaluation System is only one tool used to assist in this process."
"Employee involvement is the most important element to accurate and realistic performance planning."
Stan Riley, Manager, Performance Management Branch
For more information about the Employee Performance System, click here.
Performance Evaluation Deadline Extended
Due to the declared state of emergency across the Commonwealth, the deadline for annual performance evaluations and performance plans has been extended through February 13, 2009. Please contact Stan Riley, Performance Management Branch Manager, Governmental Services Center, at (502) 564-8170 with any questions.
New Web Site
The Office of Diversity & Equality has redeveloped its Web pages to provide customers with easier access to forms and information concerning EEO, Affirmative Action and Diversity Initiatives. We are excited about this new vehicle for better serving the Commonwealth! Please visit our site here.
Kentucky Employee Suggestion System
Thirty-nine state employees were recognized for budget-friendly ideas that saved the state $1,403,433 at the Governor’s Mansion on January 14, 2009 during the Personnel Cabinet’s 29th Employee Suggestion System Awards Ceremony hosted by First Lady Jane Beshear and Personnel Cabinet Secretary Nikki Jackson. For more information, visit the Employee Suggestion Site.
We want to share your story
If you have co-workers or agency programs that you would like recognized, send an article, photo, or web link to Tina Goodmann. This newsletter will be published quarterly by the Personnel Cabinet for all state employees.
Did you know...
that essential state government services do not close due to inclement weather? Government employees are committed to providing state services no matter what the weather brings; however, if an employee is not comfortable driving during these adverse weather conditions we have a policy just for you. The Kentucky Administrative Regulations provide employees the opportunity to make up time missed, come to work late or leave work early due to inclement weather.
If you would like detailed information regarding Adverse Weather Leave , please go to KAR 2:102, Section 10 and 101 KAR 3:015, Section 10.
The winter months can be treacherous at times. Please enjoy the beautiful Kentucky winter months and be safe.
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