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Frequently Asked Questions
State employees often experience similar issues and questions. Here is a
complied list of Frequently Asked Questions to assist you in answering any
questions you may have about ASEA.
- What would you do if you needed legal advice on a personal matter but you
didn’t have the money to hire a private attorney?
- If I feel I have been discriminated against (treated differently because
of my age, sex, race, religion, or a disability), what can I do?
- I have several questions pertaining to overtime, mileage reimbursement and per
diem, where should I address these questions?
- The requirements changed for a position I want so that I no longer qualify. Can
anything be done?
- I believe my supervisor has rated me differently from the other people in my
position. How can I find out whether my evaluation is low compared to others?
- What if a supervisor makes me perform a job duty that is not listed on my Form 40?
- I am being required to work out of my classification:
- If I am injured on-the-job, what do I do?
- If Cost Care or Blue Cross/BlueShield denies a medical claim, what can I do?
- How is ASEA’s legislative agenda set?
- Who can join ASEA?
- Can contract state employees be members of ASEA?
- What are the dues at ASEA?
- Can I really save money by taking advantage of ASEA’s Member Discount Program?
- As an ASEA member, who do I contact to change my beneficiary for the free accidental death
and dismemberment insurance policy offered by ASEA?
- I’ve heard lots of talk about ASEA’s convention over the years, but I’ve never gone. Exactly what is
the purpose of convention, and why might I want to attend to represent my chapter?
- I’m an ASEA member, who is my staff representative?
- What are the rules regarding running for the Board of Directors?
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What would you do if you needed legal advice on a personal matter but you
didn’t have the money to hire a private attorney?
As a member of ASEA you have access to certain limited legal services provided by ASEA Attorneys. Contact the ASEA Legal Office for details. (*You must be a member of ASEA for six months to be eligible for ASEA Legal representation.)
In most cases, ASEA Attorneys can prepare a simple Last Will and Testament and certain other legal documents for ASEA members that live in the State of Alabama. Contact the ASEA Legal Office for details. (*There may be some extenuating circumstances which preclude our attorneys from providing a Last Will and Testament and/or related documents.)
ASEA represents active members free of charge in certain job related disputes (terminations, suspensions, etc.).
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If I feel I have been discriminated against (treated differently because of
my age, sex, race, religion, or a disability), what can I do?
You may contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
within 180 days of the last discriminatory act. The number for EEOC is 800-669-4000 and the fax
number is 205-731-2101. The address for EEOC is 1900 3rd Ave North, Suite 101, Birmingham, AL 35203.
Remember that even though you may have contacted your local EEOC officer, you must contact EEOC in
Birmingham to preserve your claim.
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I have several questions pertaining to overtime, mileage reimbursement and
per diem, where should I address these questions?
The United States Labor Department will be glad to be of assistance to you
in answering your questions regarding overtime, mileage reimbursement and per diem. Call the U. S. Labor
Department at 334-223-7641.
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The requirements changed for a position I want so that I no longer
qualify. Can anything be done?
State Personnel and/or department heads frequently change job
specifications which may result in someone failing to qualify for a position in the future
which they qualified for prior to the change. The most common such change is requiring a college
degree for a particular job. Some agencies have allowed individuals holding the position when
such a change occurs to continue in that position for a period of time while they are pursuing a
college degree. In some cases, if an individual is on a register and not actually performing the
job or holding the title, that individual is not given the opportunity to be appointed to the
position until he or she has attained the college degree. For many individuals, this change cuts
out career advancement. Many highly trained individuals will fail to qualify for a position because
they lack a college degree. Unfortunately, there are no rules which require State Personnel to give
any advance notice of such a position change, nor waive the degree requirement for someone with many
years of experience.
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I believe my supervisor has rated me differently from the other people in
my position. How can I find out whether my evaluation is low compared to others?
The State Personnel Board Rules allow an individual to inspect
the records of the Department which show his/her service ratings and the service ratings of
other employees in the same class and division. Make a request of your supervisor and refer
to State Personnel Board Rule 670-X-16-03 for confirmation of the authority for
inspection.
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What if a supervisor makes me perform a job duty that is not listed on my Form 40?
A supervisor is well within his/her authority to make you perform
other job duties. Every state employee has a Form 40 which lists the job tasks and responsibilities
of an employee’s position. However, the Form 40 states that an employee will also be responsible
for “any and all other job duties as required.” This phrase is what enables a supervisor to
require an employee to do other duties and job tasks that are not specifically listed in the
Form 40.
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I am being required to work out of my classification:
If an employee is working out of classification, it is important
for the Form 40 to reflect that the employee is performing those duties. If the information is
on an employee’s Form 40, then the employee gets credit for performing this task when taking
examinations given by State Personnel. If an employee is working out of classification and wants
to have their position reclassified, the supervisor can request a desk audit for the employee. It
is important to remember, however, that an employee must be reachable on the register in order to
be promoted.
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If I am injured on-the-job, what do I do?
On-the-job injuries for state employees are covered under the
State Employee Injury Compensation Trust Fund, or SEICTF, in conjunction with their health
insurance benefit. To be eligible for benefits under SEICTF, you must follow the proper
procedures. First of all, notify your supervisor! The supervisor has information concerning
required procedures, including completion of paperwork and, if you are covered under Blue
Cross/Blue Shield, referral to a network provider physician. Employees who are covered under
one of the state’s HMO health plans can see their personal primary care physician. If your
supervisor is unavailable or cannot be of assistance to you, contact the SEICTF Provider
Relations office at 800-977-0022 or 334-223-6165. Failure to follow proper procedures can
result in denial of benefits. These benefits can range from simple coverage of co-payments
due under your health insurance plan to lost time from work.
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If Cost Care or Blue Cross/BlueShield denies a medical claim, what can I do?
Cost Care or Blue Cross/Blue Shield may make a determination
that a particular health care claim filed under the BC option of the SEIB should be denied.
It is the responsibility of the covered individual to file the appropriate requests for
administrative review and/or appeals necessary under SEIB guidelines. Following are general
guidelines of the process used in reviewing claim denials:
Before addressing a claim denial with the SEIB, the employee should exhaust all
administrative procedures with the claims administrator (BC/BS) or the utilization review
administrator (Cost Care). The process is more fully outlined in your Blue Cross Benefit
Plan Booklet.
Cost Care provides a three-step appeals process which the employee or the attending physician
can initiate: (1) Reconsideration; (2) Appeal; and (3) Independent Review.
Blue Cross provides that an employee may begin the process of reviewing a claim denial by
writing to question the claim decision, and to provide any additional information concerning
the claim which may be helpful in resolving the dispute. A full review may be requested in
writing within 60 days following receipt of written denial. An appeal may be filed by writing
Blue Cross (again, within 60 days notice of denial).
The SEIB’s review process begins once an employee has exhausted reviews and/or appeals with
Cost Care and/or Blue Cross. There are several levels under the SEIB review procedure: Informal
Review (which can be done by phone); Administrative Review (upon written request filed within
60 days following receipt of final notice of denial from BC or Cost Care); Formal Appeal (upon
written request filed within 60 days following date of Administrative Review decision).
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How is ASEA’s legislative agenda set?
Resolutions are passed by the ASEA conventions calling
for legislation to be introduced that affects state employees. As these items are
introduced in the legislature, ASEA members will be notified about these bills and
their numbers.
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Who can join ASEA?
Active state employees ranging from the new employee
to those who have worked in state government for over 30 years may join. Retired state
employees who have been retired for one day or 20 years or more may join also. If you
have a question about membership, call us at (334) 834-6965 or 800-252-7063.
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Can contract state employees be members of ASEA?
Yes, contract state employees may be members with some limitations.
Annual dues of $108 must be made in an annual lump sum payment. For further questions, call 800-252-7063.
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What are the dues at ASEA?
Dues for active state employees are $9 per month ($108 per year).
You may choose to pay lump sum annual dues of $108 or pay $9 per month through
a monthly payroll deduction. Dues for retired state employees are $9 per month or $108 per year.
You may choose to pay lump sum annual dues of $108 or pay $9 per month through a monthly payroll
deduction. Payroll deductions will be deducted from your check issued by the Retirement Systems
of Alabama. You may also pay your monthly $9 dues through bank draft or credit card deductions.
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Can I really save money by taking advantage of ASEA’s Member Discount Program?
ASEA active and retired members can take advantage of a wide
variety of discounts. Save on a variety of recreational activities, lodging/hotel packages,
Carmike movie tickets, tires and automobile maintenance, beauty supplies, car rentals, eye
wear, furniture, medicine and much more.
ASEA Discount Directory (login above or join ASEA to view)
is available at ASEA
which lists all the businesses who participate in ASEA’s Member Discount Program and their
discount offer. Also available is Access, ASEA's online discount program that offers 200,000 discounts nationwide.
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As an ASEA member, who do I contact to change my beneficiary for the free
accidental death and dismemberment insurance policy offered by ASEA?
Call ASEA at 334-834-6965 or 800-252-7063
and ask for the Insurance Department.
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I’ve heard lots of talk about ASEA’s convention over the years, but I’ve never
gone. Exactly what is the purpose of convention, and why might I want to attend to
represent my chapter?
ASEA holds an annual convention where association policies are
set by ASEA members who are elected delegates. These policies may directly or indirectly
affect ASEA members. By attending the ASEA convention, whether as a delegate or general
member, you participate in the growth and future success of the association. While business
sessions are certainly important and a major focus of the convention, ASEA recognizes the
need to unwind and have a little fun. Each day’s program includes fun-filled recreational
and social activities that make the ASEA convention a must trip for every ASEA
member.
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I’m an ASEA member, who is my staff representative?
Staff representatives are listed on our staff page.
View the staff directory to the representative for your region.
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What are the rules regarding running for the Board of Directors?
Nominations are made on nominating petitions available
in the ASEA office between September 1st and September 15th. Petitions are furnished
to any member upon written request specifying the position and place sought. Those
nominated must be ASEA members, shall have been members for at least three consecutive
years immediately preceding a term, shall have been employees of the State of Alabama
for at least five consecutive years immediately preceding a term and shall be nominated
and further elected in accordance with the ASEA Constitution and
By-Laws.
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