Pay Differential

Special additional pay recognizing unusual competencies, circumstances, or working conditions applying to some or all incumbents in select classes.

It is the policy of the Department of General Services (DGS) to comply with the applicable rules and regulations when applying pay differential.

Pay differentials are based on a qualifying pay criteria for special competencies or working conditions such as, but not limited to, the following:

  • Recruitment and retention
  • Professional or educational certification
  • Work location or shift assignment
  • Performance-based pay
  • Temporary responsibilities
  • Special license, skills, or training
  • Incentive-based pay
  • Other special pay

PROCEDURE
The following table depicts the roles and responsibilities when requesting pay differential.

ROLE  RESPONSIBILITY
Employee Resource Liaison (ERL)
  1. Determine employee’s bargaining unit and review the Memorandum of Understanding
  2. Locate the applicable pay differential to determine eligibility
  3. Prepare a Request for Personnel Action (RPA) and submit package to the assigned Classification and Pay (C&P) analyst. Request must include:
    1. Effective date;
    2. Collective Bargaining Unit Identifier (CBID);
    3. Classification applicable to the salary rate and conditions, along with the specific criteria.

Note: ERL will review all classifications for potential pay differentials.
Classification & Pay Analyst
  1. Review the RPA package for completion and ensure that pay differential has been applied appropriately
  2. Provide the pay differential number in the shared notes
  3. After approval of the RPA, forward to the Personnel Specialist

Note: C&P analyst will review all classifications for potential pay differentials.
Personnel Specialist
  1. Process the RPA and ensure the pay differential is keyed as soon as received to avoid any overpayment
  2. Contact the C&P analyst regarding any discrepancies
Note: Pay Differentials may affect transfers to/from another classification, based on California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) Rules 599.674 and 599.676.

Resources

Responsible Control Agencies

  • California Department of Human Resources
  • Department of Finance

Laws and Regulations

  • CalHR Rule 599.674, 599.676

Other Resource Materials

Contact

Classification and Pay Unit

Department of General Services
Office of Human Resources

707 3rd Street, 7th Floor
West Sacramento, CA 95605
Contact your assigned Classification and Pay Analyst.