13 Retirement/Separation of Employment
13.1 Retirement
Certain employees, as specified below, become a member of the Mississippi Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) as a condition of employment. Retirement System participation and coverage is provided to employees in positions that require compensated work for at least twenty (20) hours per week OR at least eighty (80) hours per month. Participation is offered to employees whose wages are subject to payroll taxes and are reported on Form W‐2. When an individual is first employed, the Library furnishes the new employee with a member information form to establish a PERS membership account. Annually, the Public Employees Retirement System of Mississippi sends the employee a fiscal year contributions statement.
All unused accumulated annual leave and sick leave time may be certified into the employee’s PERS account.
Additional information concerning retirement benefits is contained in the PERS Member Handbook. Information may also be obtained by calling PERS at 1‐800‐444‐7377 or (601) 359‐3589 or by visiting Public Employees Retirement System of Mississippi at www.pers.state.ms.us.
13.2 Separation—Voluntary
Resignations should be submitted in writing to the Director. A minimum of two (2) weeks notice is required for all positions.
13.3 Separation—Involuntary
No employment contract exists between any staff member and the Library. Employment by the Library does not imply that any employment contract is being offered. Any staff member may be terminated at any time without liability on the part of the library, the library staff or Board of Trustees.
The Director may discharge any employee for just cause or no proper cause. The following examples include but are not limited to sufficient cause for dismissal:
· Insubordination
· Repeated tardiness
· Generally unsatisfactory work
· Unsatisfactory attitude toward job, co-workers and superiors
· Inability or refusal to perform required tasks
· Poor health indicated by excessive use of sick leave
· Abuse of sick leave privileges
· Lack of care of library property
· Dishonesty
· Continued unacceptable performance
· Overstepping job authority
· Drug abuse
· Other unacceptable behavior
- No cause
Adopted 09.10.2019
Reviewed 12.13.2022
Reviewed and Updated 09.09.2025