Section 410. Suspension and reinstatement of state employees

A. General.

1. Coverage generally continues with the state contribution through the end of the month in which the suspension began. However, if the suspension was effective on or before the first work day of the month, there will be no coverage for that month unless the employee is reinstated in time to work half of the work days in the month. For example, if a suspension is effective on April 19, the employee will have coverage with the state contribution through the end of April. If the suspension is effective April 1, the employee must pay the entire cost of coverage for the month of April. By the same token, if the suspension is effective April 2 and the employee's first workday in April is April 3, the employee will not have the state contribution in April.

2. If the employee is suspended pending court action or pending an official investigation, the suspension may go beyond one pay period. In these cases, coverage will continue with the state contribution to the end of the month in which the suspension began. If the employee is reinstated in time to work half of the workdays of the month following the month in which the suspension began, there would be no break in coverage. Suspension beyond that period should be handled in the same way as a leave without pay with no employer contribution. The employee may waive coverage or remain in the group by paying the full monthly contribution to the employer in advance. Group coverage may continue until a court decision is issued or the official investigation is completed, or up to a period of 12 months, whichever is less.

3. If the employee is reinstated with back benefits, the employer should refund the employee the amount of the employer contribution during the period the employee paid the full premium. Appropriate contributions must be made to cover the retroactive period. Alternatively, the family membership may begin the first full month of reinstatement if the employee applies within 31 days of reinstatement. Previous coverage elections, including dual and family memberships, will be reinstated retroactively.

B. Termination and grievance reinstatement.

1. Employees who are terminated and file a grievance shall be treated as terminated employees and may elect extended coverage or nongroup coverage. In the event such an employee is reinstated with back pay, previous health and flexible spending account elections will be reinstated retroactively. Appropriate contributions must be made to cover the period.

2. If the employee is reinstated without full back pay, no retroactive coverage is available.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR525-01-02 § 4.10, eff. November 21, 1990; amended, Volume 20, Issue 20, eff. July 16, 2004; Volume 30, Issue 14, eff. April 24, 2014.

Statutory Authority

§ 2.2-2818 of the Code of Virginia.