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V
irginia
C
apitol
C
onnections
, W
inter
2015
4
Keeping the engine of Virginia state
government operating is no small task. Yet
125,000 state employees somehow manage
to maintain this bureaucracy moving the
wheels forward with efficiency, dedication
and accountability on a day-to-day basis.
Because of their efforts, state government
has functioned smoothly both in difficult
financial times and during the worst public
emergencies.
Inmy travels across theCommonwealth,
I have been privileged to see firsthand our
employees’ commitment to excellence despite shrinking resources.
Governor McAuliffe and I recognize the importance of making
Virginia state government a world-class place to work, and we are
committed to doing everything within our power to attract, retain and
support the hard working men and women who serve our great state.
There is no question that we will face challenges, but I have great
confidence in the men and women who serve this Commonwealth as
state employees.
A Portrait of the Virginia Workforce
A Diverse Yet Aging State Workforce
The Commonwealth has about 105,000 salaried and 20,000
hourly state employees. 54 percent are female and 46 percent are
male. 34 percent are minorities and 8 percent are veterans. While
our diversity is strong, our workforce is older than that of the private
sector. The average state employee’s age is 46.7, compared to 42.2
years in the private sector.
Employee Turnover
While the average turnover rate overall for state employees is
11.1 percent, turnover for those with up to five years of service is
53.1 percent. This does not bode well for recruiting and retaining
new workers. 11 percent of employees are eligible to retire now, and
25 percent of the workforce will be eligible to retire within five years.
Health of the State Workforce
The health of our state
employees
is
at
stake.
Employees are experiencing
emotional and financial stress,
depression and anxiety.
In fiscal year 2014, 8.5
percent of employees using the
state’s behavioral health benefit
were treated for depressive and
anxiety disorders. During the
same period, stress was the
number one self-reported issue
of concern by those taking the
health assessment, representing
34 percent of all responses.
Stress can lead to other
health issues. About 60 percent
of the workforce is overweight
or obese, which correlates with
serious illnesses such as heart
disease and diabetes, and other
chronic health conditions. The
total health care cost per employee in fiscal year 2014, including
employer and employee expenses, increased 6 percent. In addition,
health care costs for employees rose 2 percent in fiscal year 2014.
However there is good news in that participation in CommonHealth
(the state’s wellness program) rose from 19% in 2013 to 30% in 2014.
For a long time, our state employees and their families have
made great sacrifices while providing the utmost in public service.
10 percent of our state workforce is receiving some form of federal
assistance, even while working full time.
Federal Assistance
Currently, 1,898 are eligible for food stamps, compared to
none in 2007. Currently, 2,287 employees are receiving federal
assistance, compared to less than 12 in 2007, and only because of
legal guardianship of grandchildren.
Earned Income Tax Credit
• In 2013, 10 percent of salaried, full-time state employees qualified
for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
• From 2010 to 2013, there was a 2.6% increase in the EITC eligibility
threshold.
• From 2010 to 2013, there was a 5.4 percent increase in state
employees who qualified for the EITC.
A 2015 Portrait of State Employees
By Nancy Rodrigues, Secretary of Administration
Continued on next page
Top
Identi ed
Conditions
Stress Issues
Sleep Disorders
Exercise Issues
Overweight
Adult Obesity
6,920
15%
7,917
17%
7,944
17%
15,762
34%
7,793
17%
Salaried State Employees
Receiving Federal Assistance
2000
1500
1000
500
0
1,898
SNAP
TANF Energy
Assistance
Medicaid
97
856
729
12 88
575 2011
2013
2013 Salaried State Employees
Earned Income Tax Credit Eligibility
EITC Eligible
EITC Not Eligible
10%
90%
Compensation
Currently, 3,800 state employees earn an annual salary that is
below the $23,850 poverty level for a family of four, and 900 have
pay below the $19,970 poverty threshold for three people. The
Commonwealth’s employee compensation rate now lags considerably
compared to other states. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics (BLS), Virginia’s state pay ranking in 2013 was 33rd in
the nation, below its 32nd pay ranking for 2012. This ranking is
derived from payroll records of what is actually paid to employees as
reported quarterly to employment commissions. Our overall average
state employee salary in 2014 was $46,041.