Nebraska Gov Pete Ricketts has announced a new incentive bonus plan for state workers to help fill critical staff positions in 24/7 institutions run by the Dept of Correctional Services, Health and Human Services, and Veterans’ Affairs.
Ricketts says he wants to ensure state government can continue to attract and retain talented workers at a time when Nebraska has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation – with the incentive plan one way to do that.
Incentives at Correctional Services focus on positions in protective custody, nursing, and food service with additional incentives for workers at the state prison in Tecumseh, which has battled staff problems since it opened.
Tecumseh incentives include bonuses for commuting costs as well as transferring in and retention while the existing sign-on bonus program will be expanded.
New retention and sign-on bonuses will also be available to some food service and health care positions at 24/7 facilities run by Health and Human Services and Veterans Affairs.
State Chief Human Resources Office Jason Jackson says the positions in the incentive plan were identified as critical for ongoing operations. The first new bonuses will be paid in September.