HR Support
Frequently Asked Questions
You can use the links below to find answers to TN State Government's most frequently asked HR questions.
Tennessee State Government Leadership & Development Programs
Leadership Academies & Agency Development Support
- What are customized leadership academies?
- What types of academies does the Organizational Development team offer?
- Are there other types of customized academies?
- How long does an academy last?
- What is the typical format for an academy?
- How are competencies selected for an academy?
Statewide Leadership Programs (TGEI, TGMI, TGPI, ALI)
- How many people are selected for each statewide leadership program?
- How long are the TGEI, TGMI, and TGPI programs?
- How long is the Accelerated Leadership Institute (ALI)?
- When do applications open for TGEI?
- When do applications open for TGMI?
- When do applications open for TGPI?
Talent Management Events & Support
Conferences & Events
- When is the 2026 Human Resources (HR) Conference?
- What is the parking situation for the HR Conference?
- Do you have a map of the breakout rooms for the HR Conference?
- How do I obtain my attendance certificate or continuing education credits (HRCI/SHRM)?
- When is the 2026 Tennessee Administrative Professionals (TAP) Conference?
- What is the parking situation for the TAP Conference?
Leadership Training, Courses & Competencies
- What are the benefits of participating in LEAD Tennessee?
- What is the agency investment for LEAD Tennessee?
- Who is eligible to participate in LEAD Tennessee?
- Who manages LEAD Tennessee?
- Who can I contact if I have questions after reviewing the LEAD Tennessee materials?
- What are the developmental activities in the leadership pipeline?
Acronyms & Definitions
- What does TMCOE mean?
- What does OOA mean?
- What does DOHR mean?
- What does CDD mean?
- What does TDOC mean?
- What does TDOSHS mean?
Attendance & Leave Manual
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 1 – WORK SCHEDULES
CHAPTER 2 – LUNCH AND WELLNESS BREAKS
CHAPTER 3 – ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE
- What is an unexcused absence?
- What is discretionary leave with pay?
- Is leave available for foster parent training?
- How does bereavement leave work?
- Is there leave for American Red Cross disaster response?
- Is time covered for discipline appeals discussions or hearings?
CHAPTER 4 – ANNUAL LEAVE
- Is annual leave transferable between state agencies?
- Do I have to use compensatory leave before annual leave?
- What happens if I exceed my maximum annual leave?
- How is annual leave scheduled and approved?
- How is leave accrued and adjusted between 37.5- and 40-hour schedules?
- What legal authority supports these policies?
CHAPTER 5 – SICK LEAVE
- What laws and rules govern the Sick Leave Bank and donated leave policies?
- Can an employee who is leaving state employment donate their sick leave?
- Is donating sick leave voluntary?
- Can donated sick leave be transferred retroactively?
- How are donated leave forms processed and tracked?
- How do employees donate sick leave to another employee?
CHAPTER 6 – FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT
- What records must be kept for employees using FMLA leave?
- What if the agency fails to provide required FMLA notices?
- When must medical certification or return-to-work information be provided to employees?
- What happens if the employee’s FMLA circumstances change?
- What written information must employees receive about FMLA leave?
- What are the requirements for notifying employees of their FMLA rights?
CHAPTER 7 – HOLIDAYS
- What laws and rules govern State holiday policies?
- How is holiday time handled for employees with irregular work schedules?
- Who is eligible for holiday pay and benefits?
- Do executive-level employees receive holiday credit if they work on a holiday?
- What holidays are recognized by the State of Tennessee?
- What legal holidays are observed by the State?
CHAPTER 8 – CIVIL LEAVE
- What leave applies if an employee is personally involved in a trial?
- What leave is used when an employee testifies in private litigation?
- Is leave charged when an employee serves as a government witness?
- Can an employee be penalized for serving on jury duty?
- Can employees keep the payment received for jury duty?
- How does jury duty affect employees who work night shifts?
CHAPTER 9 – EXTENDED LEAVE
- How does extended leave affect probation, service, and pay increases?
- What happens when an employee returns from military duty?
- What happens if an employee doesn’t return after extended leave?
- How is extended leave accounted for?
- When must employees use their leave before going on leave without pay?
- How does an employee request extended leave?
CHAPTER 10 – EDUCATIONAL LEAVE
- What is the purpose of educational leave with pay?
- How are employees compensated during educational leave with pay?
- How does educational leave affect service time and longevity?
- What laws and rules govern educational leave?
- Can an employee take educational leave without pay?
- How does educational leave affect annual and sick leave?
CHAPTER 11 – MILITARY LEAVE
CHAPTER 12 – SPECIAL LEAVE WITHOUT PAY
CHAPTER 13 – PARENTAL LEAVE
- Where can employees find information on using FMLA during parental leave?
- Can employees use parental leave without pay?
- Can employees use sick leave during parental leave?
- Can employees use compensatory time during parental leave?
- Can employees use annual leave during parental leave?
- What is Paid Parental Leave under the parental leave policy?
CHAPTER 14 – DIVISION OF CLAIMS ADMINISTRATION ABSENCE
- Are there special rules for certain safety and corrections employees injured in the line of duty?
- Can an injured employee still use sick leave benefits?
- What happens if the employee receives a monetary settlement from a third party?
- Can an employee receive compensation beyond assault pay while waiting for a claim decision?
- How long can an injured employee remain on regular payroll after an assault?
- When can an employee injured in an assault be kept on regular payroll without using sick leave?
CHAPTER 16 – TEMPORARY EMPLOYMENT OF RETIRED STATE EMPLOYEES
- Are retired employees eligible for longevity payments when rehired temporarily?
- When must a retired employee be separated after returning to temporary work?
- What is the appointment type and pay structure for retired employees who return to work?
- How long can a retired employee work after returning to state service?
- Can retired state employees return to temporary employment?
CHAPTER 17 – OVERTIME
- How are agency contributions handled in dual service arrangements?
- How are taxes and other deductions handled for dual service payments?
- How is compensation for dual service work processed?
- Can dual service work reduce the time an employee has for regular duties?
- When can employees be compensated for performing services for another state agency?
- Can a state employee work for another employer outside state government?
CHAPTER 18 – COMPENSATORY TIME
- What is compensatory time?
- Can executive level employees earn or use compensatory time?
- What are the limits for regular and premium compensatory overtime?
- What is the maximum amount of compensatory time I can accrue?
- What happens to compensatory time before terminal leave or separation?
- How is the value of compensatory time calculated?
CHAPTER 19 – FLSA ADMINSTRATIVE LEAVE WITH PAY FOR EXEMPT EMPLOYEES
- What should an employee do if they believe incorrect deductions were made to their paycheck?
- Can supervisors approve partial day leave if an exempt employee has no leave left?
- How should FLSA administrative leave be recorded?
- Can an exempt employee choose leave without pay if they have leave available?
- When can an exempt employee take a partial day of leave without pay?
- What is FLSA administrative leave with pay for exempt employees?
CHAPTER 20 – RESCHEDULING THE WORK WEEK
CHAPTER 21 – PREVIOUSLY ACCRUED LEAVE USED IN A NON-ACCRUING POSITION
CHAPTER 22 – LEAVE RECORDS
- What if an employee does not enter time in Edison?
- Do excused absences need to be reported to DOHR?
- Who can audit employee time sheets?
- How long must time sheets be audited and kept on file?
- How are separating employees and employees on extended leave paid?
- How are new employees paid during their first pay period?
CHAPTER 23 - PAID FAMILY LEAVE
- What if I do not qualify for FMLA at the time I need leave? Can I still take PFL?
- Can I take PFL if I have already exhausted my FMLA leave for the same qualifying situation? What about if I’ve exhausted my FMLA for a different condition?
- Can PFL be used retroactively?
- Will taking Paid Family Leave (PFL) affect an employee’s probationary period?
- Will PFL count towards retirement service credits?
- How/when is PFL to be entered in Edison, and what time reporting code is to be used? Who is responsible for entering it?
GLOSSARY
I-9 Assistance
General I-9 & E-Verify Basics
Document Handling
E-Verify Case Management
Authorized Representatives
Common Errors in Edison / HR Systems
- What causes duplicate I-9s in Edison?
- Why can’t I attach a List C document in Section 2?
- Can HR submit Section 1 of the Paperless I-9 for a new hire?
- Can HR sign Section 1 for new hires?
- Why won’t the system accept my Edison Login ID?
- When should I mark “Is Receipt” as Yes?
Compliance & Best Practices
I-9 Resources
TN State Government Employee Handbook
General Information
New Employee Information
New Supervisor Resources
- How should I provide coaching or discipline?
- What should I know about AWS (Alternative Workplace Solutions)?
- How do I approve time and leave for my team?
- What training do I need to complete as a new supervisor?
- What’s my role in performance management as a supervisor?
- What resources are there for me as a new supervisor?
Insurance Benefits
Service Awards
Parking & Transportation
Wellness Program
Emotional Wellbeing Solutions
- Are trainings available?
- Do supervisors get special support?
- How do I contact EWS?
- How many EWS visits do I get?
- What does EWS help with?
- Who can use EWS?
Working for a Healthier TN
Education Benefits
- Where can I get more info?
- How do I apply for the discount?
- Is there a course limit for the discount?
- Who qualifies as a dependent?
- What is the Fee Discount Program for dependents?
- How do I use a fee waiver?
Employee Perks & Recognition
Employee Suggestion Award Program
Alternative Workplace Solutions
Total Rewards
Workplace Policies
Employee Conduct
Disciplinary Action
Appeal Process
Mediation & Conflict Resolution
Ethics & Reporting
Attendance & Work Schedules
Attendance & Breaks
Meal & Rest Breaks
Holidays
Leave Accrual
Leave Usage & Job Abandonment
Types of Leave
- What is compensatory time?
- Where can I find full details?
- Can discretionary leave be granted?
- What is administrative leave?
- What is compensatory time?
- What is sick leave?
Family & Extended Leave
Parental Leave
Workers' Compensation and Special Leave
Job Seeker Topics
Hiring Process FAQs
- ★ If I receive a message from Oracle PeopleSoft asking for my User ID and password when trying to log in to the applicant portal, what should I do?
- Am I eligible to apply for the State of Tennessee if I received my degree in another country?
- Can I answer “Yes” to having a completed degree on my application if I am close to receiving it?
- Can I appeal if I didn’t qualify for a job?
- Can I apply/work for TN State Gov if I live outside of Tennessee?
- Can I copy and paste responses into the First Round Interview?
TN State Government Human Resources Topics
Employment Verification and Records
For TN State Government Employees
FAQs for State Employees
- ★ How do I change my address to receive my W2?
- Who is my Service Award Coordinator?
- Am I eligible to receive retirement credit for my time in the military?
- Do I qualify for Paid Parental Leave?
- How do I request FMLA?
- Where can I find more information on FMLA?
TN State Government Sick Leave Bank (SLB)
SLB Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I enroll in the Sick Leave Bank?
- Am I a member of the SLB?
- How do I cancel my membership in the Sick Leave Bank?
- How many sick days do I need to be eligible to join the Bank?
- If I decide to leave the Bank, may I get my donated sick days back?
- Where can I find forms to request to use Sick Leave Bank?