HR Support
Frequently Asked Questions
You can use the links below to find answers to TN State Government's most frequently asked HR questions.
Employment Verification
TN State Government Employee Verification
TN State Government Employee Student Loan Forgiveness
Employee Service Awards
Employee Service Awards
- How long does the current service award contract last?
- Can employees who are not eligible for a service award purchase the items on contract?
- Can an agency purchase items from the service award contract for recognition unrelated to the service award program?
- Can items no longer on the service awards contract be purchased by an agency as a service award?
- How do I obtain the certificate program?
- Are certificates mandatory with each service award?
Mediation
Mediation
- What is mediation?
- When is mediation appropriate?
- What is not eligible for mediation?
- Who conducts the mediation?
- What are the benefits of mediation?
- How can I request mediation?
Employee Discount (PerkSpot)
About the Program
Getting Started with PerkSpot
Finding & Using Discounts
Account & Access
- Do I have to use my work email?
- What happens if I change agencies?
- Can I access PerkSpot after leaving state employment?
- Is there a mobile app?
- How do I update my account info?
- Need help or having technical issues?
Stay Connected
Edison Extended Self-Service for Former Employees
Updating Contact Information as a Separated State Government Employee
Access Duration
Edison Extended Self-Service General Information
Reasonable Accommodations
General Information
- What is a reasonable accommodation?
- Who is eligible for a reasonable accommodation?
- What kind of disabilities or conditions qualify?
- How do I request a reasonable accommodation?
- Does a request have to be formal or in writing?
- What is the interactive process?
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
- 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?
- What is the parking situation for the L&D 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?
State of TN 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
FAQs for TN State Government Employees-Accrued Leave Usage While on FMLA Leave
- What is the FMLA?
- Who is eligible for FMLA leave?
- What is the state’s policy on the use of an employee’s accrued leave while on FMLA?
- How does this affect Sick Leave Bank (SLB) Members?
- How do I elect to hold leave during my FMLA absence?
- Will choosing to hold my leave affect my FMLA status?
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
TN State Government Career Fairs
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?