Upcoming 2% Salary Increase: FAQs

November 29, 2023 / HR News/Training

In accordance with Chapter 1 of the 2023 Virginia Acts of Assembly, Special Session I, a 2% base salary adjustment for eligible full- and part-time classified and other salaried state employees, including appointed, at-will and faculty employees, goes into effect December 10, 2023.

Please see below for answers to frequently asked questions, including the dates the different employee classification groups can expect to see the salary adjustment.

Frequently asked questions: 

  • Who is subject to the December 10, 2023, base salary adjustment?
    • All classified and other salaried employees, except elected officials, who were employed in salaried positions as of September 10, 2023, and who received a rating of “Contributor/Meets Expectations” or higher on their last performance evaluation or more recent interim evaluation are eligible to receive the 2% base salary adjustment effective December 10, 2023.
  • Who is NOT eligible for the December 10, 2023, base salary adjustment?
    • Employees who were hired or rehired after September 10, 2023, and employees who received a rating of “Below Contributor/Does Not Meet Expectations” on their last performance evaluation or more recent interim evaluation.
  • Why was September 10, 2023, selected as the cutoff employment date for the increases defined above?
    • This cutoff employment date was determined by the Department of Human Resources Management (DHRM). The base salary adjustment is a performance-driven increase. The three-month period from September 10, 2023, to December 10, 2023, provides a reasonable period for an agency to assess the probationary progress of a new employee.
  • Will employee performance ratings affect eligibility for the December 10, 2023, salary adjustment?
    • Yes. The December 10, 2023, salary adjustments are performance-driven. Employees must have received a rating of “Contributor/Meets Expectations” on their latest performance evaluation or more recent interim evaluation in order to be eligible to receive a salary adjustment.
  • Are wage/P14 and adjunct/WDS employees eligible for the salary adjustment?
    • Yes. The base rates of pay for wage/P14 and adjunct/WDS employees will be adjusted 2%.
  • For employees separating from state service effective December 10, 2023, will the salary adjustment apply to their leave payments or other benefits?
    • The last day worked for an employee separating effective December 10, 2023, is December 9, 2023; therefore, the employee is not employed on December 10, 2023, and is not eligible for the salary increase.
  • When will employees see the adjustment in their paychecks?
    • Classified Employees and Administrative/Professional Faculty — Salary adjustment will be reflected in the December 29, 2023, paycheck.
    • 9M Teaching Faculty — Salary adjustment will be reflected in the December 29, 2023, paycheck.
    • Wage/P14 Employees — Salary adjustment will be reflected in the January 12, 2024, paycheck.
    • Adjunct and WDS Employees — Salary adjustment will be reflected in the January 26, 2024, paycheck.
  • How will the December 10, 2023, salary adjustment affect an employee’s retirement benefit calculation?
    • The salary adjustment will increase employees’ creditable compensation. Any future salary increases will be applied to this higher salary. Therefore, any months beginning with January 2024 that are included in an employee’s Average Final Compensation (AFC) will increase the employee’s retirement benefit accordingly.
  • Can all or part of the December 10, 2023, salary adjustment be deposited into Deferred Compensation?
    • Yes. The salary adjustments become part of an employee’s new regular salary. As such, part or all of the increase may be deferred, subject to VRS Defined Contribution Plan guidelines and limitations. See plan information at www.varetire.org for instructions.
  • Will the December 10, 2023, salary adjustment affect other benefits?
    • The salary increase amount is subject to payroll deductions for Social Security and Medicare as well as federal and state income taxes. This may result in an increase in an employee’s future Social Security entitlement depending on their individual situation. It will also affect the rate used in calculating payments for accrued leave hours and will increase state life insurance benefits, which are based on gross salary.

Please direct any other questions to HRadmin@nvcc.edu.

Submitted by:
Charlotte Calobrisi, AVP of HR, CCalobrisi@nvcc.edu