Personnel Rules and Regulations of the City of New York
 

Rule VI - Personnel Changes
Section I--Transfers

6.1.1. General Provisions.

Except as provided in paragraph 6.1.9 of this section, an employee shall not be transferred to a position for which there is required an examination involving essential tests or qualifications different from or higher than those required for the position held by such employee.

6.1.2. Functional Transfers.

Upon the transfer of a function from one agency to another agency, the permanent employees in the competitive or labor class so transferred shall be transferred without further examination or qualification and shall retain their respective civil service classification and status as employees in such new agency in accordance with the provisions of law governing functional transfers.

6.1.3. General Requirements.

Every transfer, other than a functional transfer, shall require the consent, in writing, of the proposed transferee and of the respective heads of the agencies concerned therewith and the approval of the commissioner of citywide administrative services.

6.1.4. Existing Eligible Lists, Restriction.

A transfer, other than a functional transfer, shall not be approved to a position for which an adequate appropriate preferred or agency promotion list exists, except as provided for in paragraph 6.1.5 of this section.

6.1.5. Special Transfer Lists.

Whenever it is determined to the satisfaction of the commissioner of citywide administrative services that the abolition of a permanent position in the competitive class is imminent:

(a) the head of the agency in which such position exists shall furnish forthwith to commissioner of citywide administrative services the name, title, date of original appointment and the salary of the employee expected to be suspended; and

(b) the commissioner of citywide administrative services shall thereupon establish a special transfer list for such title and shall place the name of such employee thereon in the order of original appointment as though suspended in accordance with section eighty of the civil service law; and

(c) for a period not exceeding six months prior to the prospective abolition of such position, an employee whose name appears on such special transfer list shall be eligible for the filling of vacancies in the same or similar position before certification is made from any open competitive or promotion list; and

(d) the name of any employee appearing on such special transfer list who is not so transferred prior to the abolition of such employee's position shall be placed on an appropriate preferred list pursuant to section eighty-one of the civil service law.

6.1.6. Eligibility of Probationers for Transfer.

An employee on probation shall be eligible for transfer; provided however, that:

(a) if such transfer is voluntary such employee shall serve the entire period of probation on the job in a pay status in the new position in the same manner and subject to the same conditions as required upon such employee's employment in the position from which transfer is made, and in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 5.2.1;

(b) if such employee is involuntarily transferred from one agency to another due to a transfer of personnel upon a transfer of function, or if such employee transfers voluntarily to avoid layoff resulting from a reduction in force, then, in either of such events, such employee shall receive credit for the period of time already served on probation.

6.1.7. Assignment During Period of Disability.

An employee who has incurred a disability which prevents the employee from performing the normal duties of the position may be assigned during the period of such disability to other appropriate duties for which the employee is deemed duly qualified as determined by the commissioner of citywide administrative services.

6.1.8. Transfers: Other Jurisdictions.

Transfers between positions subject to the jurisdiction of the commissioner of citywide administrative services and positions subject to the jurisdiction of the state civil service commission, the administrative board of the judicial conference or any other municipal civil service commission in the state may be approved by the commissioner of citywide administrative services, provided that the state civil service commission, the administrative board of the judicial conference or other municipal civil service commission has adopted reciprocal rules therefor and approves such transfers.

6.1.9. Transfer and Change of Title.

Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 6.1.1 of this section or any other provision of law, any permanent employee in the competitive class who meets all of the requirements for a competitive examination, and is otherwise qualified as determined by the commissioner of citywide administrative services, shall be eligible for participation in a non-competitive examination in a different position classification provided, however, that such employee is holding a position in a similar grade.

Section II--Reinstatements

6.2.1. General Provisions.

(a) An employee who has completed a probationary term in a permanent position in the competitive or labor class, and who has resigned or retired therefrom may be reinstated with the approval of the commissioner of citywide administrative services to:

(1) the position from which the employee has resigned or retired, if vacant, or to any similar vacant position in the agency in which the employee was employed; or

(2) to a position in another agency to which the employee would have been eligible for transfer.

(b) Such reinstatement may be made only if the separation from employment was without fault or delinquency on the employee's part and the head of the agency to whom the employee has applied for such reinstatement is willing to reinstate the employee.

6.2.2. General Conditions.

(a) Such reinstatement shall be subject to the provisions of this section and shall be made without further examination except that the employee reinstated under this section may be subject to such probationary period, investigation, medical or other qualifying tests or requirements as the commissioner of citywide administrative services shall determine.

(b) The head of the agency wherein such reinstatement occurs may elect to waive the requirement of satisfactory completion of the probationary term at any time during such term.

6.2.3. Period of Eligibility for Reinstatement.

(a) Such reinstatement must be accomplished within a period of time equivalent to the time the employee has actually served in the civil service of New York City, but in no event shall such period for reinstatement be less than one year nor more than four years from the date of resignation or retirement provided, however, that:

(1) the commissioner of citywide administrative services may fix a period equal to or twice the period actually served, but in no event less than one year nor more than four years within which an employee may be reinstated for designated classes of positions, where the commissioner of citywide administrative services determines that there is a lack of a sufficient number of qualified persons available for recruitment; and

(2) the commissioner of citywide administrative services shall annually re-examine the reason for establishing such period for reinstatement and shall revoke the prior determination upon a finding that there is a sufficient number of qualified persons available for recruitment.

(b) In computing the aforementioned time limitation, any time subsequent to separation spent in active service in the armed forces of the United States or of the State of New York resulting in discharge under honorable conditions and any time spent subsequent to separation in another position in the civil service of the city shall not be considered.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this paragraph, with respect to members of the uniformed forces of the police and fire departments, the uniformed force of the New York City transit authority police department, and the uniformed force of the police department of the New York City housing authority, such reinstatement must be applied for by the former employee within a period of one year from the date of resignation or retirement.

6.2.4. Effect on Continuous Service.

Any such reinstatement effected more than one year after such separation shall not constitute continuous service.

6.2.5. Reinstatement After Separation for Disability.

(a) Where an employee has been separated from the service by reason of a disability resulting from occupational injury or disease as defined in the workers' compensation law, such employee shall be entitled to a leave of absence for at least one year unless the disability is of such a nature as to permanently incapacitate the employee from the performance of the duties of the position.

(b) Such employee may, within one year after the termination of such disability, make application to the commissioner of citywide administrative services for a medical examination to be conducted by a medical examiner selected by the commissioner of citywide administrative services. If, upon such examination, such examiner shall certify that such person is physically and mentally fit to perform the duties of the former position, such person shall be reinstated to it, if vacant, or to a vacancy in a similar or lower position in the same occupational field or to a vacant position for which such person was eligible for transfer.

(c) If no appropriate vacancy shall exist to which reinstatement may be made, or if the work load does not warrant the filling of such vacancy, the name of such person shall be placed upon a preferred list for the person's former or similar position, and such person shall be eligible for reinstatement therefrom for a period of four years from the date of medical and physical qualification. In the event that such person is reinstated to a position in a lower grade, the person's name shall likewise be placed on a preferred list.

(d) This paragraph shall not be deemed to modify or supersede any other provisions of law applicable to the re-employment of persons retired from the public service on account of disability.

6.2.6. Reinstatement of Dismissed Employee.

(a) An agency under the jurisdiction of the commissioner of citywide administrative services, upon written application for reinstatement by a person who was dismissed from a permanent competitive or labor class position in such agency, which sets forth the reasons for requesting an opportunity of making a further explanation, may consider such application.

(b) If the agency shall determine that such application and explanation are meritorious, it may, in its discretion and with the approval of the commissioner of citywide administrative services, reinstate such person; provided however, that:

(1) such person shall be eligible for reinstatement for a period of one year only from the date of dismissal; and

(2) such person shall execute a prescribed waiver, in writing, with respect to claims for back pay, civil service rights and status for the period of the dismissal.

6.2.7. Other City Service.

A permanent competitive class employee, separated from a position by appointment or promotion to another position in the unclassified or classified service of the city and who has served continuously therein, shall be eligible for reinstatement to the competitive class position formerly held by the employee or to another similar position or lower position in the same or similar occupational group or service.

Section III--Voluntary Demotions

6.3.1. General Provisions.

No permanent competitive class employee shall be demoted unless such employee consents thereto in writing. The agency head concerned shall transmit to the commissioner of citywide administrative services such consent together with a statement of the reasons therefor. This paragraph shall not be applicable to penalties of demotion resulting from disciplinary proceedings.

6.3.2. Restoration.

A person who has been demoted may, upon written request by the agency head concerned, be restored to such person's former position or a similar position, with the approval of the commissioner of citywide administrative services.

Section IV--Removal And Other Disciplinary Action

6.4.1. Removal Notification to Department of Citywide Administrative Services.

Where a person has been removed from a position for cause, a copy of the reasons therefor together with a copy of the proceedings thereon shall be transmitted to the department of citywide administrative services.

6.4.2. Service of Charges and Determination.

(a) Where the employee is a resident of the city, a copy of charges preferred in a disciplinary action pursuant to sections seventy-five and seventy-six of the civil service law shall be served in person upon the employee thus charged.

(b) Where personal service cannot be made or where the employee is not a resident of the city, it shall be sufficient for the agency head to serve such charges by registered mail to the last known address of such person. Where service is made by registered mail such person shall be allowed an additional three days in which to answer or otherwise appear.

(c) Service by the agency head of written notice of determination to be reviewed pursuant to sections seventy-five and seventy-six of the civil service law shall be sufficient if such written notice is delivered personally or by registered mail to the last known address of such person and when notice is given by registered mail such person shall be allowed an additional three days in which to file such appeal.

6.4.3. Absence Without Leave.

(a) When an employee is absent without leave and fails to communicate with the department in which employed in the manner prescribed by that department for a period of twenty consecutive work days, such absence shall be deemed to constitute a resignation effective on the date of its commencement unless the appointing officer, at the discretion of that officer, accepts an explanation for such unauthorized absence.

(b) In the case of an employee covered by the provisions of section seventy-five of the civil service law such absence shall constitute a cause for action against such employee under and subject to the provisions of that section.

Section V--Abolition Of Position, Suspension, Demotion, Prefered Lists

6.5.1. Suspension or Demotion.

The suspension or demotion of competitive class employees upon the abolition or reduction of positions shall be governed by the provisions of section eighty of the civil service law.

6.5.2. Units for Suspension or Demotion.

(a) The commissioner of citywide administrative services may, by rule, designate as separate units for suspension or demotion under this section, any institution or any division of any agency.

(b) There are hereby designated within the department of health the following separate units for suspension or demotion:

(1) urine testing laboratory of the methadone maintenance treatment program;

(2) Williamsburg methadone maintenance clinic of the methadone maintenance treatment program;

(3) evaluation and control unit of the methadone maintenance treatment program.

(c) There are hereby designated within the department of mental health, mental retardation and alcoholism services the following separate units for suspension and demotion:

(1) criminal and supreme court mental health program;

(2) family court mental health program.

(d) There are hereby designated within the department of citywide administrative services the following separate units for suspension or demotion:

(1) executive offices, which shall include the commissioner's office, office of the general counsel, office of technology and information services, office of fleet administration and transportation and office of external affairs and communications;

(2) offices of the chief financial officer and the chief administrative officer;

(3) office of administrative trials and hearings;

(4) division of facilities management and construction services;

(5) division of municipal supply services;

(6) division of real estate services;

(7) division of citywide personnel services.

(e) There are hereby designated within the department of housing preservation and development the following units for suspension or demotion:

(1) office of property management;

(2) office of development;

(3) office of rent and housing maintenance;

(4) office of central administration.

(f) There are hereby designated within the Department of Finance the following units for suspension or demotion:

(1) Department of Finance;

(2) Tax Appeals Tribunal.

6.5.3. Preferred Lists; Certification and Reinstatement.

In the event of suspension or demotion, preferred lists and certification and reinstatement therefrom shall be governed by the provisions of section eighty-one of the civil service law.

6.5.4. Effect of Failure or Refusal to Accept Reinstatement.

(a) The failure or refusal of a person on a preferred list to accept reinstatement therefrom to the person's former position, or any comparable position in a comparable salary or salary range for which such list is certified, shall be deemed to be relinquishment of eligibility for reinstatement, and such person's name shall thereupon be stricken from such preferred list.

(b) The name of such person may be restored to such preferred list, and certified to fill such appropriate vacancies as may thereafter occur, only upon the written request of such person containing a submission of reasons satisfactory to the commissioner of citywide administrative services for the previous failure or refusal to accept reinstatement.

6.5.5. Labor Class.

Whenever in any agency a position in the labor class is abolished or made unnecessary in any manner, or whenever the number of such positions is reduced, the permanent employee in such position shall be deemed suspended without pay and such employee's name shall be placed upon a preferred list for certification to appropriate vacancies for a period of one year from the date of suspension in the same manner as provided by sections eighty and eighty-one of the civil service law for the competitive class.

Section VI--Educational Leave Of Absence Under The Military Law

6.6.1. Certification.

In the event an employee on an educational leave of absence pursuant to the military law is on an eligible list and is certified but passed over for appointment from such a list during the period of absence, such employee shall not be charged with the certification.

6.6.2. Seniority.

The seniority of an employee on educational leave of absence pursuant to the military law shall accrue for purpose of suspension pursuant to section eighty of the civil service law during the period of such absence and the employee may in the same manner as all regular candidates file for and compete in any scheduled promotion examination held during the period of absence for which the employee meets the eligibility requirements, but inability to file or to appear for the examination at the regularly scheduled time and place because of such absence shall not be sufficient grounds for granting a special examination.

6.6.3. Probation.

Whenever an employee shall have been granted an educational leave of absence pursuant to the military law prior to the completion of the probationary term prescribed by these rules, such probationary term shall not continue to run during the period of absence, but the employee shall be required to serve the remainder of such prescribed term upon return to active duty in pay status in city service before the employment shall be considered permanent.

6.6.4. Performance Rating or Evaluation.

No performance rating or evaluation shall be assignable to an employee on an educational leave of absence pursuant to the military law unless such employee shall have served at least three months on active duty in pay status in city service during a rating or evaluation period as prescribed by the rules or regulations governing performance ratings or evaluation.