State Agencies Bulletin No. 1608

Subject
2017 Work-Related Clothing Allowance for OSU Employees Represented by the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)
Date Issued
November 7, 2017

Purpose

To provide agency instructions for processing the 2017 CSEA OSU Work-Related Clothing Allowance.

Affected Employees

Employees in the Operational Services Unit (OSU) – BU03 who meet the eligibility criteria

Background

Article 49.1 of the 2016-2021 OSU Agreement between the State of New York and the Civil Service Employees Association and the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations (GOER) memorandum dated 10/02/17 provide for a Work-Related Clothing Allowance.

Effective Date(s)

The 2017 CSEA OSU Work-Related Clothing Allowance may be processed beginning in Institution Pay Period 18L, paychecks dated 12/21/17 or Administration Pay Period 18L, paychecks dated 12/27/17.

Eligibility Criteria

Employees in Bargaining Unit 03 on 10/01/17 are eligible to receive the 2017 CSEA OSU Work-Related Clothing Allowance provided the employee:

  • Has a Payroll Status of Active, Leave With Pay or Leave of Absence with an Action/Reason code of Leave of Absence/MLS (Mil Stip); and
  • Has a Pay Basis Code of ANN, HRY or BIW (only if the employee has a Payroll Status of Leave With Pay with an Action/Reason code of Paid Leave of Absence/MLS); and
  • Performs hands-on traditional operational duties.

In addition, part-time and hourly employees must have worked in Bargaining Unit 03 for at least nine continuous months at half-time or greater to be eligible.

An employee who otherwise meets the eligibility criteria but is on an authorized leave of absence with a Payroll Status of Leave of Absence (except with an Action/Reason code of Leave of Absence/MLS) on 10/01/17 and who returns on or before 03/31/18 is eligible for the payment upon the return from leave.

Agency Actions

Employee Reimbursement Distribution Method

If an employee provides work-related clothing purchase receipts dated 04/01/17 through 03/31/18, the allowance (up to $65.00) is paid by separate check as explained in the 10/02/17 GOER memorandum.  Agencies must make the payment to individual employees and submit one journal entry reimbursement for all affected employees using the following Statewide Financial System chart field.

SFS Business Unit Dept. Value Program Value Fund Value Acct Code Budget Reference
OER01 1120220 24114 10050 54001 2017-18
Direct Employee Allowance Distribution Method

To pay the 2017 CSEA OSU Work-Related Clothing Allowance of $65.00 to eligible employees who do not submit work-related clothing purchase receipts, agencies must submit the following information on the Time Entry page or the Time Entry Interface (NPAY502) using Earnings Code UA2.

Earnings Begin Date: 10/01/17 or the date the employee returned to the payroll.
Earnings End Date: Same as Earnings Begin Date
Earn Code: UA2
Amount: $65.00

Miscellaneous Payment Information

The 2017 CSEA OSU Work-Related Clothing Allowance is not pensionable and is not included in the calculation of overtime.

Tax Information

The 2017 CSEA OSU Work-Related Clothing Allowance is supplemental taxable income, will be included in the employee’s taxable gross and is subject to all employment and income taxes.

Federal, State and New York City income tax withholding will be calculated using the Aggregate method. Yonkers income tax withholding will be calculated using the Flat Rate method. Yonkers Flat Rate Withholding is 1.61135% for Yonkers residents and 0.50% for Yonkers non-residents.

Payroll Register and Employee’s Paycheck/Advice

Earnings Code UA2 and the amount paid will be displayed on the Payroll Register. The Earnings Description Uniform Allowance NU 03 and the amount paid will appear on the employee’s paycheck stub or direct deposit advice.

Questions

Questions regarding eligibility for this payment may be directed to the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations.

Questions regarding this bulletin may be directed to the Payroll Earnings mailbox.

Questions regarding taxes may be directed to the Tax and Compliance mailbox.