As used in this sub-chapter, the following definitions apply:

(1) "Agency" means all executive branch departments, those agencies allocated to the state board of education under 2-15-1511, MCA, and those institutions in the department of corrections listed in 53-1-202, MCA and in the department of public health and human services listed in 53-1-602, MCA.   All boards, commissions and related staff attached to an executive department for administrative purposes are considered part of the department for purposes of these rules.

(2) "Discharge" means the termination of an employee's employment.

(3) "Employee" means all state employees except those exempted in 2-18-103 and 2-18-104, MCA.

(4) "Permanent employee" means a permanent employee as defined in 2-18-101, MCA.

(5) "Permanent status" means permanent status as defined in 2-18-101, MCA.

(6) "Probationary period" means a trial period established by an agency when an employee is newly hired to state government into permanent or seasonal employment to assess the employee's abilities to perform job duties; to assess the employee's conduct on the job; and to determine if the employee should be retained beyond the probationary period and attain permanent status.

(7) "Promotion" means the assignment of an employee to a higher grade.

(8) "Reassignment" means the assignment of an employee from one position to another position in the same agency.

(9) "Seasonal employee" means a seasonal employee as defined in 2-18-101, MCA.

(10) "Short-term worker" means a short-term worker as defined in 2-18-101, MCA.

(11) "Temporary employee" means a temporary employee as defined in 2-18-101, MCA.

(12) "Transfer" means a change of employment from one state agency to another state agency without a break in service.