Chapter 3 – Personnel, Training, and Employee Relations

31030.3.1 Employee Suggestion Program

• The Employee Suggestion Program (ESP) rewards employees who come up with cost-saving ideas and/or ideas to improve the safety or operations of State government. The rules and regulations governing this program include:

  • DPADepartment of Personnel Administration (see CalHR) Rules 599.655 to 599.664, inclusive.

  • Government Code Sections 19815.4(d), 19816, and 19823.

  • State Administrative Manual (SAMState Administrative Manual) Chapter 4700.

• The Department of Personnel Administration (DPADepartment of Personnel Administration (see CalHR)) oversees the ESP statewide to ensure compliance with the laws and rules governing the program. DPADepartment of Personnel Administration (see CalHR) delegates authority to publicize and administer the ESP to state agencies and departments. Each State agency or department designates a Merit Award Administrator (MAA) as a liaison between its department and DPADepartment of Personnel Administration (see CalHR). The Department’s MAA is in the Division of Support Services, Office of Business Services.

• Department Leadership Responsibilities

  • Each supervisor and manager shall:

    • Encourage the submission of suggestions.

    • Be thoroughly familiar with the details of the program as specified in the DPADepartment of Personnel Administration (see CalHR) Rules, Government Code, SAMState Administrative Manual, and this Article.

    • Provide assistance to suggesters when requested.