Columbia Promotions, reassignments, market adjustments, transfers and demotions ordinance (§ 19-84)

(a) Promotion. When an employee is promoted, the employee's base rate of pay shall be increased by ten

(10) percent or the minimum of the new pay grade, whichever is greater, except as unusual circumstances may justify otherwise, with recommendation by the department director and written approval of the director. A supervisory employee promotion shall receive a one-time pay adjustment that is five (5) percent greater than the highest paid subordinate's base pay.

(b) Upward reassignment. When an employee's position is reassigned to a classification in a higher pay grade, the employee's base rate of pay shall be increased by five (5) percent or the minimum of the new pay grade, whichever is greater. A supervisory employee reassignment shall receive a one-time pay adjustment that is five (5) percent greater than the highest paid subordinate's base pay.

(c) Downward reassignment. When an employee's position is reassigned to a classification in a lower pay grade, the employee's base rate of pay shall not be lowered. If, after reassignment, the employee's base rate of pay is higher than the maximum for the pay grade, the employee's base rate of pay shall remain unchanged and shall not be increased before the maximum for the pay grade is increased to exceed the employee's base rate of pay.

(d) Market adjustments. The director generally, as part of the budget process, will compare current employee pay levels to the market and make recommendations to the city manager.

(e) Transfers. When an employee is transferred to another position in the same pay grade, the employee shall not be eligible for a pay increase.

(f) Demotions. When an employee is demoted to a previously held position, the employee's rate of pay shall be lowered to the original rate of pay of the previously held position. Any across the board or performance increases received after leaving the previously held position shall be adjusted based on the rate of pay for the original position.