Mississippi Administrative Code
Title 27 - Personnel
Part 120 - Mississippi State Employee Handbook
Chapter 1 - WELCOME TO STATE GOVERNMENT
Section 27-120-1.3 - THE STATEWIDE PERSONNEL SYSTEM
Current through September 24, 2024
In 1980, the Mississippi State Legislature created the Statewide Personnel System, which governs the establishment of employment positions, classification of positions, employment conduct, movement and separation of employees and provides a system of personnel management for State government. The Legislature also created the Mississippi State Personnel Board (hereinafter referred to as "MSPB") as the governing authority to administer the Statewide Personnel System. In 1981, the Legislature further established the "Colonel Guy Groff/Neville Kenning State Variable Compensation Plan" or the VCP and authorized MSPB to implement the plan and review the plan annually. Mississippi Code Annotated § 25-9-147.
The Mississippi State Personnel Board
MSPB is composed of five members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. One Board member is appointed from each of the three Supreme Court Districts, and two members are appointed from the State at large. Each Board member serves a five-year term, with the terms staggered such that one member's appointment expires at the end of each fiscal year. In addition to the Board members, the Lieutenant Governor may designate two Senators and the Speaker of the House may designate two Representatives to attend Board meetings, acting in the capacity of advisors, but with no vote on any matter within the jurisdiction of the Board. Mississippi Code Annotated § 25-9-109.
Duties of the Mississippi State Personnel Board
The duties of MSPB are two-fold:
(1) to support State government by providing a system of personnel management that enhances efficiency and effectiveness with regard to the use of personnel resources and
(2) to provide the Executive and Legislative branches data necessary for budgetary and planning purposes. MSPB has a strong and continuing commitment to equal employment opportunity, employee development, performance review, uniform administration of leave benefits, open communication, and equitable and adequate compensation. The framework of personnel management provided by MSPB is designed to be fair to all, based on state-of-art theory and practice, and in compliance with Federal and State laws and regulations. Mississippi Code Annotated §§ 25-9-101, et seq.
MSPB Executive Director
The MSPB Executive Director is the State Personnel Director. The Board sets the general policies by which its assigned duties and responsibilities may be accomplished and has tasked its Executive Director with the daily administration of the system. His or her role is "to administer the operations of the State Personnel System and to otherwise act in the capacity of chief executive officer to the Mississippi State Personnel Board." Mississippi Code Annotated § 25-9-119.
Personnel Advisory Council
The Personnel Advisory Council is composed of personnel directors of five major State agencies. These members, appointed by and serving a term concurrent with that of the Governor, advise MSPB in the development of comprehensive policies, programs, rules and regulations that will improve public employment in the State. The Council also assists in the promotion of public understanding of the purposes, policies and practices of the Statewide Personnel System. Mississippi Code Annotated § 25-9-117.
Employee Appeals Board
Mississippi Code Annotated § 25-9-129 provides that the Mississippi State Personnel Board shall appoint an employee appeals board (hereinafter referred to as the Mississippi Employee Appeals Board or "MEAB"). The MEAB shall consist of three (3) hearing officers for the purpose of holding hearings, compiling evidence and rendering decisions on appeals of personnel action adversely affecting employment status or compensation (formal disciplinary action defined in Section 7.1). Grievable issues specified in Section 8.1 may also be appealed to the MEAB. The MEAB website may be found at https://www.eab.ms.gov/. Employees can find this handbook, FAQs, the Notice of Appeal, and grievance forms on this website.
