Opinion No.

Honorable Lloyd Criss Chairman Labor and Employment Relations Committee Texas House of Representatives P.O. Box 2910 Austin, Texas 78769

Re: Whether a state employee may be denied a merit increase because of absence for a work-related injury

Dear Representative Criss:

You inquire about the denial of a merit pay increase to an employee of the Texas Department of Corrections. The employee was hired in September, 1983 and, during the year that followed, was absent on an approved worker's compensation claim for about two and one half months. In September 1984, she received a one-year service pin and…