For classified positions, reclassification is defined as the assignment of a position in one class to another class which is the result of a natural or an organizational change in duties or responsibilities of the position. Reclassifications can occur:

1. A. Upward - The position moves from one class to another class having a higher State salary range.

   1. 1. Probationary or Trial Status

      Upon upward reclassification, an employee shall be in probationary or trial status; however, if a covered employee previously held permanent status in the class to which reclassified, the upward reclassification shall be with permanent status in the class and the employee is not in trial status. Exception: If the employee is not serving a trial period at the time this version of the Regulations becomes effective, the covered employee will not serve a trial period.

   2. 2. Probationary Period

      1. a. An employee in probationary status whose position is reclassified upward must complete a probationary period of:

         1. (1) Twelve months’ duration for noninstructional personnel;
         2. (2) The academic year duration for instructional personnel (teachers); or
         3. (3) Not more than two full academic years’ duration for faculty at State technical colleges.
      2. b. At his discretion, the agency head or his designee may count up to six months of continuous satisfactory service in the previous class toward the employee’s probationary period which would result in a reduction in the length of the employee’s performance review period.
      3. c. An employee who performs unsatisfactorily during the probationary period must be terminated before becoming a covered employee.

   3. 3. Trial Period

      A covered employee who is reclassified upward to a position in which he has not held permanent status in the class must complete a six-month trial period. This period may be extended up to 90 calendar days upon written notification to the employee of the extension prior to the end of the six-month trial period. Exception: If the employee is not serving a trial period at the time this version of the Regulations becomes effective, the covered employee will not serve a trial period.

2. B. Downward - The position moves from one class to another class having a lower State salary range.

   1. 1. Probationary or Trial Status

      Upon downward reclassification, an employee will be in probationary or trial status; however, if a covered employee previously held permanent status in the class to which reclassified, the downward reclassification shall be with permanent status in the class and the employee is not in trial status. Exception: If the employee is not serving a trial period at the time this version of the Regulations becomes effective, the covered employee will not serve a trial period.

   2. 2. Probationary Period

      1. a. An employee in probationary status whose position is reclassified downward must complete a probationary period of:

         1. (1) Twelve months’ duration for noninstructional personnel;
         2. (2) The academic year duration for instructional personnel (teachers); or
         3. (3) Not more than two full academic years’ duration for faculty at State technical colleges.
      2. b. At his discretion, the agency head or his designee may count up to six months of continuous satisfactory service in the previous class toward the employee’s probationary period which would result in a reduction in the length of the employee’s performance review period.
      3. c. An employee who performs unsatisfactorily during the probationary period must be terminated before becoming a covered employee.

   3. 3. Trial Period

      A covered employee who is reclassified downward to a position in which he has not held permanent status in the class must complete a six-month trial period. This period may be extended up to 90 calendar days upon written notification to the employee of the extension prior to the end of the six-month trial period. Exception: If the employee is not serving a trial period at the time this version of the Regulations becomes effective, the covered employee will not serve a trial period.

3. C. Lateral - The position moves from one class to another class having the same State salary range.

   1. 1. Probationary or Trial Status

      Upon lateral reclassification, an employee shall be in probationary or trial status; however, if a covered employee previously held permanent status in the class to which reclassified, the lateral reclassification shall be with permanent status in the class and the employee is not in trial status. Exception: If the employee is not serving a trial period at the time this version of the Regulations becomes effective, the covered employee will not serve a trial period.

   2. 2. Probationary Period

      1. a. An employee in probationary status whose position is reclassified laterally must complete a probationary period of:

         1. (1) Twelve months’ duration for noninstructional personnel;
         2. (2) The academic year duration for instructional personnel (teachers); or
         3. (3) Not more than two full academic years’ duration for faculty at State technical colleges.
      2. b. At his discretion the agency head or his designee may count up to six months of continuous satisfactory service in the previous class toward the employee’s probationary period which would result in a reduction in the length of the employee’s performance review period.
      3. c. An employee who performs unsatisfactorily during the probationary period must be terminated before becoming a covered employee.

   3. 3. Trial Period

      A covered employee who is reclassified laterally to a position in which he has not held permanent status in the class must complete a six-month trial period. This period may be extended up to 90 calendar days upon written notification to the employee of the extension prior to the end of the six-month trial period. Exception: If the employee is not serving a trial period at the time this version of the Regulations becomes effective, the covered employee will not serve a trial period.

HISTORY: Added by State Register Volume 26, Issue No. 1, eff January 25, 2002. Amended by State Register Volume 34, Issue No. 5, eff May 28, 2010; State Register Volume 40, Issue No. 10, eff October 28, 2016; SCSR 48-9, eff September 27, 2024.