The State of West Virginia offers employees a wide variety of competitive financial and personal benefits. Our benefits package includes all financial rewards that are generally not paid directly to the employee. These benefits are a significant part of employee “total compensation.”
Below is a brief summary of benefits available. Those listed apply to most permanent, full-time employees appointed to merit system classified jobs. If you receive an employment offer, you should request specific benefits information from the hiring agency. Click on each link to learn more.
Employees who have three or more years of qualifying service receive annual increment pay in recognition of the value of their past and present service. The annual increment amount is $60 for each full year of qualifying service and is paid in July of each year. For example, an employee who has completed 12 full years of service would receive an additional $720 (from which normal State and federal deductions are made).
A 529 plan is a flexible tax-advantaged savings plan designed to help families pay for college. Click here for more information on the Smart 529 Plan.
State employees and qualified family members may choose to participate in the State Credit Union. The credit union offers a wide variety of financial services, including checking and savings accounts, ATM cards, loans, Christmas/vacation clubs, traveler’s checks, and more. Direct deposit from your paycheck is available, and the credit union also offers 24-hour banking and drive-thru service.
All credit union deposits are insured by the National Credit Union Association for up to $250,000.
Click here to access the State Credit Union’s website for more information.
A State-approved child day care facility is located at the Capitol Complex. For information regarding availability, hours, and rates or any other information, call Discovery Kingdom Child Care at 304-345-5437.
Employees of West Virginia State Government are permitted to enjoy the following discounts:
AT&T and Verizon
AT&T and Verizon offer a discount to State employees. Contact your local AT&T or Verizon store for details.
Dell Member Purchase Program
State employees can request a 5% off coupon code 24/7 at the Dell Member Program Discounts page..
Enterprise Rent-a-Car and Hertz Car Rental
Enterprise Rent-a-Car and Hertz Car Rental offer a 10% discount to State employees for personal vehicle rentals. Contact your local Enterprise or Hertz office for details.
Hotel Discounts
Many hotels offer State employees a government rate for business and/or personal travel. Consult the website or reservations number for the hotel of your choice regarding specific requirements and policies.
Planet Fitness
Planet Fitness offers special membership savings to State employees. More information regarding these savings can be found here: WV Planet Fitness Discount.
Employees may find themselves needing assistance with personal problems that can affect both their family and work lives. Confidential referrals to independent, off-site professionals can be made for treatment or assistance with issues such as relationship or family conflicts, financial issues, and alcohol/drug abuse.
Generally, State agencies operate within the core hours of 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday; however, there are many exceptions. Some agencies have earlier start times and/or later end times to better serve their customers, and others require 7-day and/or 24-hour coverage (such as hospital and correctional facilities).
Most State agencies offer employees the opportunity to adjust their hours or work schedule. At the discretion of the agency head, and within certain guidelines, employees may be permitted a flexible starting and quitting time. In addition, if circumstances allow, some agencies may offer opportunities for a compressed workweek, part-time work, or telecommuting.
Sample work schedules for agencies that are able to make these accommodations, though not all-inclusive, could include:
- Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Monday through Friday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Monday through Thursday: 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM
- Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to Noon on Monday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Tuesday through Friday
Again, these schedule adjustments are available at the discretion of the agency head, who must provide staff coverage to best serve the agency’s customers.
The State offers 12 paid holidays in each year. The number of paid holidays is above the national average for both public and private sector employees. In addition, employees generally do not work on statewide primary and general election days.
Official State holidays are:
- New Year’s Day (January 1)
- Martin Luther King Day (Third Monday in January)
- President’s Day (Third Monday in February)
- Memorial Day (Last Monday in May)
- West Virginia Day (June 20)
- Independence Day (July 4)
- Labor Day (First Monday in September)
- Columbus Day (Second Monday in October)
- Veterans Day (November 11)
- Thanksgiving (Fourth Thursday in November)
- Day After Thanksgiving (Fourth Friday in November)
- Christmas Day (December 25)
In addition, time off is given for the following:
- When Christmas Day and New Year’s Day fall on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, the preceding half day (not to exceed four hours) on Christmas Eve (December 24) and New Year’s Eve (December 31) are given as time off.
- Any day on which a Primary or General election is held throughout the State, and such other days as the President, Governor, or other duly constituted authority proclaim to be official holidays or days of special observance or thanksgiving, or days for the general cessation of business, is given as time off.
When a holiday falls on a Saturday, the previous Friday is observed; when a holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is observed.
NOTE: Some agencies must modify their holiday observances and time off due to required work schedules. Consult your supervisor for questions.
Public Employees Insurance Agency
MEDICAL INSURANCE: The State of West Virginia offers, through a variety of plans, a comprehensive health insurance plan which includes benefits for hospital, surgical, major medical, prescription drug, and other medical expenses. The State pays the majority of the insurance premium; employee premiums for health insurance vary according to salary.
LIFE INSURANCE: The State provides a $10,000 decreasing term life policy with accidental death and dismemberment benefits. Additional group rate insurance is available.
Click here for more information from the Public Employees Insurance Agency.
Mountaineer Flexible Benefits
The Mountaineer Flexible Benefits program offers tax-free deductions for dental, vision, and disability insurance, as well as medical expenses not reimbursed by regular insurance coverage (such as deductibles and co-payments), and child/dependent care expenses.
Click here for more information on the Mountaineer Flexible Benefits program.
With over 20,000 classified positions in West Virginia State Government, there are many opportunities to apply and compete for transfers and/or promotions. Employees may bid on jobs for which they qualify in either their current agency or any other agency. Click here for a list of current jobs open for application to current and former State employees.
Employees of West Virginia State Government receive outstanding paid leave, and leave is earned and accrued from the first day of employment. This includes annual (vacation) leave and sick leave, as well as paid time off for other activities such as jury duty and military leave.
- Annual (Vacation) Leave
- Court, Jury, and Hearing Leave
- Family and Medical Leave Act/Parent Leave Act (FMLA/PLA)
- Holidays
- Leave Donation Program
- Leave Forms
- Military Leave Forms, Information, and Rights
- Sick Leave
State Retirement Program
The State of West Virginia offers an outstanding defined benefit pension plan – the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) under the Consolidated Public Retirement Board. Specific information regarding retirement benefits is available on the West Virginia Consolidated Public Retirement Board's site.
West Virginia Retirement Plus
In addition, employees are offered the voluntary opportunity to participate in the West Virginia Retirement Plus Program, a supplemental retirement plan designed to provide an extra savings alternative for all State, county, city and other political subdivision employees. This retirement program is similar to a 401(k) plan in structure except that it is designed to supplement a participant's primary retirement plan.
Employee contributions to the Plan are managed via convenient payroll deductions. Click here for more information on the West Virginia Retirement Plus Program.
This calculator allows users to look at the insurance, leave, and retirement benefits in combination with an annual salary. Click here to use the Total Compensation Calculator.
The Division of Personnel provides training and development opportunities to help employees and managers across State government build skills, strengthen leadership, and enhance workplace effectiveness. Our offerings include supervisor and manager training, employee development courses, HR professional training, and coaching services, along with other innovative learning activities. While the Division of Personnel does not administer tuition reimbursement programs, many agencies offer this benefit for job-related education. For more information, please see the Outside Education Opportunities Policy.
To learn more about these opportunities, visit the Training and Education webpage.
United States Savings Bonds are available through a direct deposit transaction. Contact your agency Payroll Coordinator for forms and information. You may also consult the United States Treasury’s Treasury Direct website for detailed information on savings bonds.
Click here for the Treasury Direct Savings Bonds website.
The health and well-being of our employees is very important. Many State agencies provide special wellness and health-related services to employees. Examples include: free health screenings, special seminars and presentations, organized health-related activities, health contact information, wellness promotion events, and healthy lifestyle information.
In addition, wellness and health-related programs are offered by the Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA). Click here for more information on these PEIA programs..
Encova Insurance is the state’s workers’ compensation insurer. BrickStreet Insurance has been renamed to Encova Insurance so you may see the names used interchangeably. Click here for more information on how to file a worker's compensation claim.