Hello! I'm taking a state promotional exam on Saturday morning.

Can I bring a water? Can I bring my purse?
A calculator is recommended, so do I just bring it in and leave it on my desk? It says no phones, but can I bring my phone in and just turn it off and leave it out of sight?
... anything else I may not be thinking about? This is my first test!

Thank you all- this group is so helpful!

I’ve heard that local government and school accountability (LGSA) is toxic in some regional offices. Is this true? I’ve heard so many horror stories about how employees are treated in the Glens Falls regional office so much so that all the 18’s quit!

Just got the NYSHIP Rates for 2025 in the mail and it looks like CDPHP (Capital) is increasing by ~$16 a paycheck?

I always have had CDPHP as I like the App where you can earn $365 in gift cards for doing daily health tasks, affordability, etc

Wondering if any of the cheaper plans have something like this

I was browing the openings and noticed NYS Senate and Assembly......wow, never seen such low salary grades. How do those folks afford to live?

Hello all,
I'll keep this short. I'm just wondering if there is any kind of job security for M/C positions. I understand that with M/C, there is a chance to make a higher salary; however, if I understand correctly, people in M/C positions are pretty much permanently at-will and can be terminated easily.

If one were to take an M/C position and get terminated, would they be able to return to their old civil service position with representation? Or are they just totally screwed?

Thanks!

My son is taking the court officer exam in January. He’s really hoping to do well and one day to be hired.

He has red-green color blindness. He sees the color orange as a shade of red, and some green colors are a bit off from their natural color. Other than that, he can function fine, he drives and there is no issue.

I know that this seems like a silly question, but we were reading over the vision phase and seen that color vision test is required.

Does anyone have any advice? We appreciate it. Thank you.

Quick question...

My Dad passed two weeks ago and I received a letter from NYSLRS asking me to send his death certificate...My brother didn't get one and I assume I did because I am the oldest...

Does this mean I am a beneficiary or they are just notifying me because I am his child?...

My Dad was so secretive with all this stuff so I never knew anything about his finances or anything like this...And as he got sick my cousin weaseled her way into being his EOS and POA, so my brother and I didn't even get to plan his funeral or know anything of his affairs because of her...I don't want to sign anything because I don't know what any of this is...

Can someone give me some insight to what this might mean?

Anybody have experience with the MVP HMO in the Capital Region?

Always happy with CDPHP HMO, but given their dust up with Albany Med and their purchase by that larger out of town company, I'm considering making the move to MVP.

MVP is also the cheaper option and seems to have lower copays than CDPHP. CDPHP has always had excellent customer service, which I value.

I don't have any chronic conditions or see specialists regularly.

Hi, I was directed from the Albany subreddit here to ask for resume tips regarding applying to state jobs through NYHELPS. I’m writing on behalf of my husband.

He currently has a Masters, two Bachelors, and a few associates degrees (iirc) and often experiences being “overqualified” for positions he applies for. When applying to for a state job, would you recommend he curate his resume to only relevant information? Or should he include everything. What is the state looking for as far as resumes go? Are they more interested in degrees or work experience? Any tips or tricks? Thank you so much!

I’m a state employee but I have a family member that was supposedly suspended from the town of Moreau for a year because they threatened a coworker. Are year suspensions a thing or were they fired and lying about it?

Upcoming federal administration is looking to terminate a significant amount of government departments that are duplicated and/or don’t have a clear goal.

How much do you believe NYS would benefit from a similar purge? There are an insane number of positions posted every day, but think about it outside your own little bubble and what are these positions actually achieving?

As a former g23 state worker, I gave up and threw in the towel after seeing the work ethic of 85% of the people I met in ITS, DOB and the executive chamber alone. Some of peoples jobs and duties were made up so that they would have a job. As a 23, the person that sat next to me had the duty to “drag and drop emails from a shared inbox into folders with each persons name”. I automated this in outlook, only for my g25 supervisor to become furious because that person now had no work to do… it was their only job duty, so quickly I was directed to delete the rules and not overstep my boundaries.

Basically, there is such an incredible amount of inefficiency, i personally believe the state should look into at minimum 35% layoffs across the board, define job duties and roles, then provide everyone remaining a 8% increase or so because maybe they’ll take on one additional responsibility. I’d also increase the downstate adjustment to $15,000; the fact that it’s just $3000 in 2024 is an absolute joke and disgrace to those living in nyc and Long Island where costs are much higher.

I understand it’s courtesy but is it necessary? Would it hurt your chances at getting back into the state should other employment not work out?

A coworker who happens to be a union steward is telling people their sick leave credit only helps towards paying health insurance for 3 years into retirement. I know this to be untrue for my parents. He says that’s because of their tier. I have found no information to confirm his claim but he insists. Does anyone know anything about this?

I know a lot of people here are from Albany, but I am wondering if anyone here may have a recommendation for a NYC-area based PCP that definitely accepts the NYSHIP/Empire Plan? NYC would be ideal but am open to Long Island or Hudson Valley providers too if needed.

I had and heard of too many bad experiences with medical providers who say they take your insurance only to later say that they don't (or, worse, send a bill because they suddenly decide they're not in network after all). For example, I overheard a coworker at a cubicle next to me speak for hours on the phone arguing over a bill because the provider told them they were in the NYSHIP network but then changed their mind. The UHC provider network website also tends to be very outdated and not accurate as well (I remember that from having them as an Essential Plan and Medicaid provider and calling for hours based off the UHC provider network website with provider after provider listed as in-network not accepting it).

Would appreciate any advice/recommendations.

Do I have to pick up/have physical tickets mailed or can I do everything online?

Hey there,

Starting a new position with the OTDA next week. What are some good places nearby to grab a bite to eat on lunch? I’ve heard good things about Wizard Burger, and I’ve tried the Banh Mi place… really good!

Hello!

The 2025 NYSHIP rates are online . Each individual group's rate can be found in Option Transfer tab on the NYSHIP website, but here are the PDFs as well:

NYS Active - https://www.cs.ny.gov/employee-benefits/nyship/shared/publications/rates/2025/ny-active-rates-2025.pdf 

NYS Retiree - https://www.cs.ny.gov/employee-benefits/nyship/shared/publications/rates/2025/ny-retiree-rates-2025.pdf 

PE Retiree - https://www.cs.ny.gov/employee-benefits/nyship/shared/publications/rates/2025/pe-retiree-rates-2025.pdf 

NYS and PE Direct Pay - https://www.cs.ny.gov/employee-benefits/nyship/shared/publications/rates/2025/ny-pe-direct-pay-rates-2025.pdf

If you are interested in learning more about The Empire Plan on December 13 at 12 pm, the Employee Benefits Division and United Healthcare will be hosting a virtual health fair featuring a 30-minute presentation on the benefits of The Empire Plan. If you are interested in attending, you can register at https://meetny-gov.webex.com/weblink/register/rdae542dd7220158ffed4f18979429fc2

Has anyone been able to use their paid parental leave (PPL) without simultaneously burning their FMLA? I tried using PPL first and then take a month unpaid covered by FMLA to spend extra time with my newborn but was told by my agency that once I applied for the PPL that the FMLA must be used during that same period. When I asked why I was told it was to protect my employment while being out during my PPL. Why I needed protection for using a separate job benefit didn’t make any sense to me. So I turned to PEF. 

On PEFs website, the PDF of highlights of the current contract states for PPL:  “FMLA or use of accruals can be taken during this seven-month period in addition to PPL, but not at the same time”.  Also on PEFs website is a PDF detailing the PPL benefit on which it states: “The PPL may be used in combination with other paid and unpaid childcare leave benefits, but not at the same time.” And Page 113 of the contract itself states All other childcare leave benefits, including sick leave accruals, family sickleave benefits, and Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) remain unchanged and available for use when applicable”.

All of this lead me to believe that my FMLA would be available after I’ve used my PPL but when contacting PEF on this issue I’m told that PEF and the state have different understandings of the language in the contract. I asked what PEF could do to advocate for me and I was pretty much told not much as they don’t want to ruffle feathers because proving that the state broke the contract would not give us right to strike, but would rather revert all of PEF back to the prior contract with the prior contract’s pay and benefits and we would lose the PPL benefit entirely. 

QUESTIONS: 

1. Has anyone been able to use PPL without burning FMLA, if so how, or has anyone run into this same issue?

2. Would a breach in contract really revert everyone back to a prior contract/agreement without giving PEF the right to strike? (If so, what advocacy power does PEF really have for its members?

   3. What course of action would you suggest to take next or just bite the bullet and lose the FLMA?

Thanks in advance and happy holidays!

I have Fideslis Care insurance already. Couple of months ago while I joined NYS I also enrolled in individual Empire plan. Now I am thinking of cancelling The Empire plan. Do you think it's possible? If yes then only do I need to fill up PS-404 right?

I have a doctor who will no longer accept the Empire Plan but will continue to accept our CDPHP plan. Everything with other doctors and medications seems to be fine under CDPHP. However, I am concerned about my prescription for Zepbound, which I have been taking for almost a year with great success. If I switch to CDPHP, I worry about the process of getting Zepbound covered. Has anyone who has been on CDPHP and taken Zepbound experienced any issues with obtaining pre-authorization for this medication?

Hi, I got an interview for Utility Engineering Specialist 1 coming up soon. Does anyone know what can be expected in the interview?

Hi all, got an interview with OTDA in Albany for a hearing officer position. No e-mail that typically comes confirming where to go & I was not told on the phone. I also don’t have the pre-employment application. The phone call was a few hours ago

Does anyone have a phone number for me to call for the OTDA to make sure they got my e-mail correct? My name is commonly misspelt so I want to make sure I have all my ducks in a row. Thanks!

Statewide, not a specific county.

Just thinking ahead. I currently work for the Assembly and had an interview with the DMV the other day. Since I was hired in 2022, I changed the type of work and environment my department produces in a positive way. It only continues to grow from there. If I were to leave, will they try to match the salary of the DMV position? Has anyone been in that position before or with another state agency?

Also, how is the atmosphere at the DMV? I be working in the creative division

Sick and Selfish higher up - what's the policy on coming to work sick???

Today, someone in a high-level position showed up at work extremely sick—coughing & sneezing nonstop! He got worse as the day went on - I'm talking non stop coughing & sneezing. The whole room heard it & it's all anyone talked about today! This big a$$ has an office but the walls do not go all the way up so he successfully spread his disgusting germs everywhere. Three days before Thanksgiving, when many of us are preparing to spend time with our families, this is not just inconsiderate—it’s outright disrespectful.

Everyone in the office is disgusted and on edge. A bunch of us complained & it made it's way up to our managers. We're being told they will be emailing or talking to his director - we'll see. Meanwhile damage is done, I have elderly relatives coming to my house on Thanksgiving. What is the policy on this kind of behavior? We have an appointment request with our union rep but we're not aware of any policy.

My sick time is getting low, and u have s serious health condition. How would FMLA help and how do I reconcile if I run out of my sick or leave time?

I was assaulted by an inmate a year ago, haven't been back to work since, currently out on worker's comp, had surgery and PT. Was able to get my DR to clear me, cause I need to work, my kids are young.

Been waiting on the state, turns out I need to see a DR in Albany, I am worried they may decide to medically terminate me. My anxiety is high, it's been months now.

How likely is this to happen? and I need options, alternatives if it does.

Can I take the Court Officer exam or does this disqualify me from Law Enforcement type jobs?

I'm an older guy and don't want to have to reinvent myself or return to school in order to be a viable employee.

Thanks in Advance

Hi I am new to NYS service (M/C) and new to the Albany area. I mainly just need general advice from your experiences. I am looking for a new dentist office that will take my insurance. I’m looking for a friendly office around Albany that has good recommendations. Any info you guys have on how this insurance works is appreciated!

Does anyone know if nys tier 6 police and fire pay the social security offset when they hit age 62? I think nys ers and nyc police and fire tier 3 have to deal with it.

Thank you