Next Monday is a Holiday. Monday, January 20, 2020 is a state-observed holiday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. CalHR Manual, Section 2109 entitles State Scientists to several state-observed holidays with pay, in addition to any official State holidays declared by the Governor. Additionally, every full- and part-time employee receives one personal holiday each fiscal year.
It’s the New Year. Have You Checked Your OPF? Your Official Personnel File (OPF) contains documents that describe your employment with the State of California. Personnel documents that may be included in your OPF can be routine, such as your original application, copies of Notices of Personnel Actions (NOPAs), insurance forms, training certificates, and so on. Occasionally; however, the OPF may contain items that can be interpreted as negative in nature, such as copies of Adverse Actions or Counseling Memos. As a state employee, you have the right to have letters of reprimand removed from your file every three years (Government Code Section 19589).
Start the new year with a little extra cash! CAPS now offers a $50 incentive for recruiting new members, whether they are Rank-and-File, Supervisory or Managerial State Scientists. The online membership application form can be located on the CAPS website at http://capsscientists.org/application. It only takes a few minutes to sign up. Make sure the applicant fills in the “referred by” field to receive your bonus! CAPS has already issued a few rounds of bonus checks.
Upcoming Board of Directors’ Meeting. The next Board of Directors’ meeting is scheduled for Saturday, February 22, 2020 at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown Arena (300 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95814). All members are welcome to attend; parking will be validated.
News Briefs.
Solano appliance recycling firm fined for mishandling, burning hazardous waste. A Solano County appliance recycling firm has agreed to a six-figure fine for mishandling and burning hazardous waste. The California Department of Toxic Substances Control on Thursday announced an agreement with Fairfield-based appliance recycler Freon Free, which will pay a penalty of $145,760 for the violations.
‘Multiheaded Hydra’ of PFAS Products Under California Scrutiny. The California Department of Toxic Substances Control is planning a series of workshops and rulemakings in 2020 related to PFAS under its Safer Consumer Products regulations, which require manufacturers to examine if a listed chemical is necessary in a product and if there are safer alternatives. The department is taking a closer look at safer alternatives in common consumer products, from stain-resistant coatings for boots, rugs and carpets to single-use bowls, plates, and utensils.