Employee Suggestion System

Ark. Code Ann. tit. 21, ch. 11

in effect

Ark. Code Ann. § 21-11-101 Definition — Exceptions.

As used in this chapter, “employee” shall mean all full-time state employees of all departments, agencies, boards, commissions, or other agencies of the state supported by appropriation of state or federal funds except the following excluded employees: (1) The elected constitutional officers of this state, including employees of the office of the Governor; (2) The General Assembly and its employees, including employees of the Bureau of Legislative Research and Arkansas Legislative Audit; (3) Members of the Supreme Court, circuit courts, and prosecuting attorneys; (4) Members of the Governor's cabinet, agency directors, or other persons appointed by the Governor as head of a board or commission; (5) Employees occupying a teaching or athletic coaching position at a state-supported institution of higher education; and (6) Those other employees designated as excluded from the provisions of this chapter by the rules established by the State Personnel Administrator.

Ark. Code Ann. § 21-11-102 Penalty.

Any cabinet member or head of a department, agency, board, commission, or other agency of state government who fails to comply with or implement a money-saving suggestions program as outlined in this chapter shall be deemed to be derelict in his or her duties and subject to dismissal.

Ark. Code Ann. § 21-11-103 Employee Suggestion System established.

There is established a program to be known as the “Employee Suggestion System” to encourage the development of ideas for improving the economy and efficiency of state government, to grant awards for ideas of proper merit, and to implement them in the governmental process.

Ark. Code Ann. § 21-11-104 Rules — Procedure for submission of suggestions.

(a) The Secretary of the Department of Shared Administrative Services, or his or her designee, is directed to develop and adopt rules in accordance with this chapter for the administration of the Employee Suggestion System. (b)(1) The rules shall provide for the direct submission of all suggestions to the Office of Personnel Management's Employee Suggestion System for determination of eligibility under the rules as authorized in this section. (2) Eligible suggestions will be forwarded to the secretary, or to the secretary's designated representative, for evaluation of proper merit. (3) The names of individuals who make suggestions shall be kept confidential unless such person is granted an award under this chapter.

Ark. Code Ann. § 21-11-107 Awards for suggestions.

(a)(1)(A) Any monetary award granted for a suggestion which may improve the economy and efficiency of state government shall be the greater of one hundred dollars ($100) or ten percent (10%) of the amount of savings. (B) However, the monetary award shall be limited to a maximum of five thousand dollars ($5,000) unless a larger award is recommended by resolution of the General Assembly. (2) If an employee's suggestion appears to be one which may improve the economy and efficiency of state government but would require legislative enactment, the suggestor shall receive a monetary award as prescribed in subsection (a) of this section based on the actual net savings after the end of the first year following implementation of the suggestion. (b) When implementation of a suggestion would not result in cost reduction or avoidance but would visibly improve the operations of a process or program or improve public relations, safety, or effectiveness of operations as indicated in § 21-11-103, recognition of the suggestor will be made by the issuance of a suitable certificate and a monetary award of one hundred dollars ($100).

Ark. Code Ann. § 21-11-108 Payment of awards.

(a) When it is determined by the Personnel Director that a monetary award is to be made under the rules of the Employee Suggestion System, he or she shall certify the amount to the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State. (b) The Chief Fiscal Officer of the State shall cause a transfer to be made of the amount of moneys awarded from the fund from which the benefiting employee is being paid to the State Central Services Fund. (c) Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, the Treasurer of State shall issue warrants to employees for approved suggestions in accordance with this chapter.

Ark. Code Ann. § 21-11-109 Funding.

(a) No agency, board, or commission shall receive additional appropriations or funds to carry out this chapter except the Office of Personnel Management, which shall be allocated funds and appropriations to administer it. (b) All monetary awards prescribed in § 21-11-107(a) shall be made from the amount of appropriated money saved by the suggestions of employees. (c) The minimum monetary award prescribed in § 21-11-107(b) shall be made from the agency's existing appropriation for the general maintenance and operation of the agency.

Source: Public.Resource.Org / UniCourt, Official Code of Arkansas Annotated, Release 78 (2020) (unicourt.github.io/cic-code-ar)URL: https://unicourt.github.io/cic-code-ar/transforms/ar/ocar/r78/gov.ar.code.title.21.htmlFetched: 11/8/2026