Annual 4 percent state employee merit pay increases could become less widespread under a proposal discussed Tuesday during a legislative budget committee hearing.
State Rep. John Schroder, R-Covington, said merit pay raises were designed to reward performance but are being handed out so routinely that nearly all state employees benefit. “This is more like a COLA (cost of living adjustment),” Schroder said.
He wants Civil Service — the state government’s employment agency — to develop a system so true merit is taken into account, Schroder said. Employees would get anywhere from 0 to 4 percent merit pay increases depending on their job performance, he said. “Right now, it’s 4 percent or nothing. The one doing outstanding is getting 4 percent” just like an employee who may not be doing as good a job, Schroder said.
