Iowa Code § 8A.413 — IA Code / Title I / Chapter 8A / Section 8A.413
State human resource management — rules.
Status: in_force

The department shall adopt rules for the administration of this subchapter pursuant to chapter 17A. Rulemaking shall be carried out with due regard to the terms of collective bargaining agreements. A rule shall not supersede a provision of a collective bargaining agreement negotiated under chapter 20. Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary, a rule or regulation shall not be adopted by the department which would deprive the state of Iowa, or any of its agencies or institutions, of federal grants or other forms of financial assistance. The rules shall provide:

(1) For the preparation, maintenance, and revision of a job classification plan that encompasses each job in the executive branch, excluding job classifications under the state board of regents, based upon assigned duties and responsibilities, so that the same general qualifications may reasonably be required for and the same pay plan may be equitably applied to all jobs in the same job classification. The director shall classify the position of every employee in the executive branch, excluding employees of the state board of regents, into one of the classes in the plan. An appointing authority or employee adversely affected by a classification or reclassification decision may file an appeal with the director. Appeals of a classification or reclassification decision shall be exempt from the provisions of section 17A.11 and shall be heard by a committee appointed by the director. The classification or reclassification of a position that would cause the expenditure of additional salary funds shall not become effective if the expenditure of funds would be in excess of the total amount budgeted for the department of the appointing authority until budgetary approval has been obtained from the director of the department of management.

(2) For notification of the governor when the public interest requires a decrease or increase of employees in any position or type of employment not otherwise provided by law, or the creation or abolishment of any position or type of employment, as determined by the director, acting in good faith. Thereafter, the position or type of employment shall stand abolished or created and the number of employees therein reduced or increased.

(3) For pay plans covering all employees in the executive branch, excluding employees of the state board of regents, after consultation with the governor and appointing authorities, and consistent with the terms of collective bargaining agreements negotiated under chapter 20.

(4) For examinations to determine the relative fitness of applicants for employment.

(4) (a) Such examinations shall be practical in character and shall relate to such matters as will fairly assess the ability of the applicant to discharge the duties of the position to which appointment is sought.

(4) (b) Where the Code of Iowa establishes certification, registration, or licensing provisions, such documents shall be considered prima facie evidence of basic skills accomplishment and such persons shall be exempt from further basic skills examination.

(5) For the public announcement of vacancies at least ten days in advance of the date fixed for the filing of applications for the vacancies, and the advertisement of the vacancies through the communications media. The director may, however, in the director’s discretion, continue to receive applications and examine candidates for a period adequate to assure a sufficient number of eligibles to meet the needs of the system, and may add the names of successful candidates to existing eligible lists.

(6) For an applicant for employment in the executive branch to disclose in the application for employment whether the applicant has filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq.

(7) For promotions which shall give appropriate consideration to the applicant’s qualifications, record of performance, and conduct. A promotion means a change in the status of an employee from a position in one class to a position in another class having a higher pay grade.

(8) For the establishment of lists for appointment and promotion, upon which lists shall be placed the names of successful candidates.

(9) For the rejection of applicants who fail to meet reasonable requirements.

(10) For the appointment by the appointing authority of a person on the appropriate list to fill a vacancy.

(11) For a probation period of six months, excluding educational or training leave, before appointment may be made complete, and during which period a probationer may be discharged or reduced in class or pay. If the employee’s services are unsatisfactory, the employee shall be dropped from the payroll on or before the expiration of the probation period. If satisfactory, the appointment shall be deemed permanent. The determination of the appointing authority shall be final and conclusive.

(12) For temporary employment for not more than seven hundred eighty hours in a fiscal year.

(13) For provisional employment when there is no appropriate list available. Such provisional employment shall not continue longer than one hundred eighty calendar days.

(14) For transfer from a position in one state agency to a similar position in the same state agency or another state agency involving similar qualifications, duties, responsibilities, and salary ranges. Whenever an employee transfers or is transferred from one state agency to another state agency, the employee’s seniority rights, any accumulated sick leave, and accumulated vacation time, as provided in the law, shall be transferred to the new place of employment and credited to the employee. Employees who are subject to contracts negotiated under chapter 20 which include transfer provisions shall be governed by the contract provisions.

(15) For reinstatement of persons who have attained permanent status and who resign in good standing or who are laid off from their positions without fault or delinquency on their part.

(16) For establishing in cooperation with the appointing authorities a performance management system for all employees in the executive branch, excluding employees of the state board of regents, which shall be considered in determining salary increases; as a factor in promotions; as a factor in determining the order of layoffs and in reinstatement; as a factor in demotions, discharges, and transfers; and for the regular evaluation, at least annually, of the qualifications and performance of those employees.

(17) For layoffs by reason of lack of funds or work, or reorganization, and for the recall of employees so laid off, giving consideration in layoffs to the employee’s performance record and length of service. An employee who has been laid off may be on a recall list for one year, which list shall be exhausted by the organizational unit enforcing the layoff before selection of an employee may be made from the promotional or nonpromotional list in the employee’s classification. Employees who are subject to contracts negotiated under chapter 20 which include layoff and recall provisions shall be governed by the contract provisions.

(18) For imposition, as a disciplinary measure, of a suspension from service without pay.

(19) (a) For discharge, suspension, or reduction in job classification or pay grade for any of the following causes:

(19) (a) Failure to perform assigned duties.

(19) (a) Inadequacy in performing assigned duties.

(19) (a) Negligence.

(19) (a) Inefficiency.

(19) (a) Incompetence.

(19) (a) Insubordination.

(19) (a) Unrehabilitated alcoholism or narcotics addiction.

(19) (a) Dishonesty.

(19) (a) Unlawful discrimination.

(19) (a) Failure to maintain a license, certificate, or qualification necessary for a job classification or position.

(19) (a) Any act or conduct which adversely affects the employee’s performance or the employing agency.

(19) (a) Any other good cause for discharge, suspension, or reduction.

(19) (b) The person discharged, suspended, or reduced shall be given a written statement of the reasons for the discharge, suspension, or reduction within twenty-four hours after the discharge, suspension, or reduction.

(19) (c) All persons concerned with the administration of this subchapter shall use their best efforts to ensure that this subchapter and the rules adopted pursuant to this subchapter shall not be a means of protecting or retaining unqualified or unsatisfactory employees, and shall discharge, suspend, or reduce in job classification or pay grade all employees who should be discharged, suspended, or reduced for any of the causes stated in this subsection.

(20) For establishment of a uniform plan for resolving employee grievances and complaints. Employees who are subject to contracts negotiated under chapter 20 which include grievance and complaint provisions shall be governed by the contract provisions.

(21) For attendance regulations, and special leaves of absence, with or without pay, or reduced pay, in the various classes of positions in the executive branch, excluding positions under the state board of regents.

(21) (a) Employees who are subject to contracts negotiated under chapter 20 which include leave of absence provisions shall be governed by the contract provisions.

(21) (b) Annual sick leave and vacation time shall be granted in accordance with section 70A.1.

(22) For the development and operation of programs to improve the work effectiveness and morale of employees in the executive branch, excluding employees of the state board of regents, including training, safety, health, welfare, counseling, recreation, and employee relations.

(23) For veterans preference through a provision that veterans, as defined in section 35.1, shall have five points added to the grade or score attained in qualifying examinations for appointment to jobs.

(23) (a) Veterans who have a service-connected disability or are receiving compensation, disability benefits, or pension under laws administered by the United States department of veterans affairs shall have ten points added to the grades attained in qualifying examinations.

(23) (b) A veteran who has been awarded the purple heart for disabilities incurred in action shall be considered to have a service-connected disability.

(24) For acceptance of the qualifications, requirements, regulations, and general provisions established under other sections of the Code pertaining to professional registration, certification, and licensing.

(25) For the development and operation of programs to promote job sharing, telecommuting, and flex-time opportunities for employment within the executive branch.

2003 Acts, ch 145, §61; 2008 Acts, ch 1031, §77; 2009 Acts, ch 26, §1; 2010 Acts, ch 1031, §61; 2018 Acts, ch 1061, §6