Complex System of Raises Envisioned

The planned DHS pay system is designed to be more “market-based” with performance also a major feature. For each occupational cluster, there would be a national raise based on market conditions for those types of jobs, plus an adjustment to take local differences into account. All employees performing at the fully satisfactory level would get those raises. In addition, all employees who “meet organizational expectations” would receive a performance-based increase, with higher increases to outstanding performers. Gainsharing/goalsharing, special act awards and performance bonuses will also be available. These raises would replace the annual and within-grade raises that employees under the general schedule currently get, although the exact payouts would depend on how much money the agency has available. Also, the exact formula for how performance would translate into dollars is still to be defined.