Texas Department of Criminal Justice
Newly hired full-time Correctional Officers (CO), including rehired TDCJ retirees and rehired former TDCJ employees, who enter into the Recruitment Bonus Contract (Contract) accepting the recruitment bonus payment and assignment to any of the designated understaffed correctional facilities are eligible to receive a one-time $1,500 Recruitment Bonus.
What units are designated as Understaffed Correctional Facilities as of August 1, 2011?
Connally
Dalhart
Lynaugh/Ft. Stockton
McConnell
Smith
Stiles
Are only CO positions at the designated understaffed correctional facilities eligible for the recruitment bonus?
Yes.
When will the status of the Understaffed Correctional Facilities be re-evaluated?
The Agency shall routinely evaluate the staffing levels of units designated as understaffed correctional facilities to determine continued status eligibility.
Are COs still eligible to keep the recruitment bonus without repayment to the TDCJ if the status of an understaffed correctional facility changes?
Yes, if the understaffed correctional facility status of the unit an employee is currently assigned to changes, the employee can keep the recruitment bonus if the CO remains employed at that unit for 12 months from the bonus payment date.
Who is eligible to receive to sign a bonus contract?
Full-time COs who were newly hired or graduate from the academy on or after August 1, 2011,
TDCJ retirees who rehired as full-time CO after 90 calendar days of retirement from TDCJ, or
TDCJ former employees rehired as full-time COs after one year of separation from TDCJ.
How much is the recruitment bonus?
The recruitment bonus, as of April 1, 2008, is a one-time $1,500 gross payment and is subject to Federal Insurance Contribution Act rate and federal income tax withholding. Recruitment bonuses are not subject to Employees Retirement System (ERS) deductions.
When will I receive the bonus?
Recruitment bonus payments are paid in accordance with the Agency’s payroll processing procedures. The recruitment bonus payments shall occur in the payroll period after the Contract is signed.
How will I receive the recruitment bonus check?
The recruitment bonus check shall be sent to the employee’s Human Resources Representative as a separate check for distribution to the employee.
How long will the recruitment bonus be available?
Recruitment bonus payments are contingent upon continued legislative authority, availability of funds and as determined by the Executive Director.
Do newly hired COs have to accept the bonus?
No, COs can choose not to accept the recruitment bonus but still choose an assignment to a designated understaffed correctional facility.
Entering into the Contract is strictly voluntary.
What is the bonus payment date or check issuance date?
The date printed on the recruitment bonus check issued by the Comptroller of Public Accounts.
What happens if I accept the bonus and go on leave without pay (LWOP) status?
LWOP for an entire calendar month does not qualify as completed service time for receiving credit for attaining 12 months of service as required by the Contract.
What happens if I accept the bonus and am placed on disciplinary probation?
The months that an employee is on disciplinary probation are included towards credit for attaining 12 months of service as required by the Contract.
Are current TDCJ employees in any position (Correctional or Non-Correctional) eligible to receive the bonus if they transfer to a unit designated as an understaffed correctional facility?
No.
Are current TDCJ employees in any position (Correctional or Non-Correctional) eligible to receive the bonus if they separate from the Agency and are a rehired CO at one of the designated understaffed correctional facilities?
A current TDCJ employee would have to be separated from the TDCJ for 12 months to be eligible for the bonus.
How do newly hired COs accept or decline the recruitment bonus check?
Newly hired full-time COs, including rehired TDCJ retirees and rehired former TDCJ employees, who meet the eligibility may enter into the Contract accepting the recruitment bonus payment and assignment to a designated understaffed correctional facility.
The decision indicated on the Contract is final and cannot be changed once the newly hired CO signs the Contract.
When does the decision to both accept the recruitment bonus check and an assignment at a designated understaffed correctional facility have to be made?
Newly hired full-time COs enter into the Contract at direct hire (first day of TDCJ employment) or at graduation from the TDCJ Pre-Service Academy.
The Contract shall only be offered once to newly hired COs, either at graduation or direct hire.
Can I change my mind and accept or decline the recruitment bonus the day after I sign the Recruitment Bonus Contract?
No, the decision indicated on the Contract is final and cannot be changed once the newly hired CO signs the Contract.
If I am currently in the pre-service correctional officer training academy, can I change my requested unit of assignment to a unit designated as an understaffed correctional facility?
Yes at the TDCJ Pre-Service Academy graduation, enter into the Contract accepting the recruitment bonus payment and assignment to one of the designated understaffed correctional facilities.
If I enter into the Contract, can I transfer to another unit with the same understaffed designation?
COs are not eligible to voluntarily transfer to another unit of assignment in a full-time CO position until the 12 month bonus period of the Contract is satisfied. (See PD-79, Employee Transfers and Reassignments)
COs are not eligible to voluntarily transfer from a full-time CO position to a part-time CO position until the 12 month bonus period of the Contract is satisfied. (See PD-79, Employee Transfers and Reassignments)
COs can request a transfer to any unit after 12 months of service at the assigned understaffed correctional facility is complete.
Can I transfer to another unit after I receive the bonus?
COs are not eligible to voluntarily transfer to another unit of assignment until the 12 month bonus period is satisfied with the exception of emergency transfers and administrative reassignments. (See PD-79, Employee Transfers and Reassignments)
COs can transfer to any unit after 12 months of service at the assigned understaffed correctional facility is complete.
What happens if I am promoted or transferred to another position within TDCJ?
COs that apply for and are selected for another position within TDCJ are entitled to keep the recruitment bonus without having to make repayment.
A movement of an employee from a CO position via the Agency’s selection policy shall not negatively impact the employee’s eligibility to receive the recruitment bonus under the Contract. (See PD-71, Selection System Procedures)
Are newly hired part-time COs able to enter into the Contract?
No, only newly hired full-time CO positions.
What happens if I resign from TDCJ?
If a Bonus Recipient voluntarily resigns or is separated from employment with TDCJ for any reason within less than three (3) months from the bonus payment date, the employee shall refund the TDCJ the full amount of the bonus.
If employment is separated for any reason after three (3) or more months of the bonus payment date, but less than 12 months, the Bonus Recipient shall refund the TDCJ a prorated amount based on the remaining uncompleted service months.
Is a rehired retiree or former TDCJ employee Bonus Recipient eligible for the recruitment bonus a second time?
Yes, after 12 months of separation from TDCJ employment.
What is a prorated amount?
The prorated amount is a partial payment of the bonus payment and is calculated by dividing the bonus amount by 12, and multiplying that amount by the number of uncompleted months of service.
What happens if I accept a position with another State of Texas agency?
Accepting a position with another State of Texas agency is considered separating from TDCJ employment.
Page updated: 12/06/2011