TO: Department and Agency Personnel, Human Resource and Affirmative Action Offices
FROM: William E. Doyle, Director of Staffing Services
SUBJECT: Promotion opportunities for employees on leave.
DATE: June 8, 2001

As you know, permanent competitive class employees (and permanent employees in the non-competitive and labor classes) who are on leave of absence, or who have been laid off and have had their names placed on reemployment lists, who are otherwise qualified, are eligible to apply for and compete in promotion examinations.

While it may be impractical for an agency to notify their employees who are on leave that promotion examinations have been scheduled, agencies should make reasonable efforts to apprise these employees of their right to compete in promotion exams. These efforts might include a statement to this effect provided to the employee which is included in the letter they are given upon granting leave of absence, or upon layoff.

This statement should include instructions for staying abreast of current examination announcements through the usual agency channels, or through the Department of Civil Service; our website can be found at: "http://www.cs.state.ny.us", and a reminder that it is the employee's responsibility to find out and apply for both open competitive and promotion examinations in which they may be interested. When indicated on the announcement employees may apply for promotion examinations over the telephone.

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