Juneteenth Holiday

On Feb. 3, Gov. Walz signed a bill designating Juneteenth, June 19, as an official state holiday. Now that Juneteenth will be an official state holiday, employees can expect:

• State offices will be closed June 19 and most employees will have the day off.
• Employees who are required to work will receive holiday pay in accordance with the provisions of the applicable collective bargaining agreement or compensation plan.
• As an official state holiday, the day does not count as a business day for filing deadlines and other transactions with deadlines provided in state law.

For more information, check out the article on the DPS Intranet. 

May and June Celebrations

Employees from throughout the enterprise will be participating in this year’s Twin Cities Pride Festival, which occurs June 24-25.  Pride is an annual event that celebrates members of our LGBTQIA+ community. The State of Minnesota, as well as many of its agencies, have always had a strong and visible presence at Pride. 

The Governor's Office issued a proclamation in recognition of Asian and Pacific Islander Minnesotans, declaring May as a month of honor for their heritage. The month of May was chosen by Congress to commemorate the arrival of the first Japanese immigrant to the United States on May 7, 1843.  Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Minnesota Department of Public Safety Intranet (sharepoint.com)

Marriage and Insurance

Have you recently married and need to add your spouse to your insurance coverage?    

Congratulations!  Marriage is considered an insurance “life event,” which allows employees to add dependents to their coverage outside of the annual open enrollment period. Changes must be requested within 30 days of the marriage, however.  If the deadline is missed, employees will have to wait until the next open enrollment period to make changes to their insurance coverage. To add dependents to health, dental and vision benefits, you can find the application here. To add optional coverage such as life insurance or short-term disability use this link.

Get Inspired and Design the Career You Want!

By Jordan Groebner, Training Director

Support your professional success using an  Individual Development Plan to attain career goals. Take stock of your personal goals and tap into workplace resources, to build a plan that moves your career forward. Visit the HR Training and Development Information Hub , and training courses are free for public safety employees!  Unsure of where to begin with a skills-assessment? Do you need assistance to create actionable steps to further your career? Connect with HR Training (J. Groebner) and get information and helpful tips for a career planning process. Self-assess, evaluate your goals, and research possibilities!  Now is the time to put simple strategies into action to develop your professional expertise.   

LinkedIn Learning

Talk with your supervisor about integrating LinkedIn Learning with your Individual Development Plan (IDP). LinkedIn Learning is a 24x7 online training and development tool that helps you take initiative toward self-improvement and mastering new skills. LinkedIn Learning provides access to thousands of courses on modern and trending topics in business, creative, and technology skills. Grow your capabilities, increase your productivity, and take on challenging projects with confidence! Employees may also “check-out” a LinkedIn Learning license through HR Training. Take a trial run with this customized and dynamic learning tool. Contact: Jordan Groebner at jordan.groebner@state.mn.us for training questions and assistance.

June Payroll

Due to the state’s bi-weekly payment schedule, employees will receive three paychecks this June. The third check will not have insurance benefits withheld so employees can expect to see a little more in their bank accounts.