Section 43.055 - Employees(a) The chief executive officer is responsible for hiring all employees of the corporation.(b) Employees of the corporation serve at the will of the chief executive officer.(c) The chief executive officer or the chief executive officer's designee shall develop a system of compensation for employees of the corporation as necessary to retain qualified staff.(d) The chief executive officer or the chief executive officer's designee shall develop a system of annual performance evaluations. Merit pay for corporation employees must be based on the system established under this subsection.(e) The chief executive officer or the chief executive officer's designee shall prepare and maintain a written policy statement to assure implementation of a program of equal employment opportunity under which all personnel decisions are made without regard to race, color, disability, sex, religion, age, or national origin.(f) The chief executive officer may appoint an internal auditor for the corporation, who may be an employee of the corporation. The appointment of the internal auditor must be approved by the board of directors. The board of directors may require the internal auditor to submit specified reports directly to the board of directors.(g) Except as otherwise provided by this subchapter, employees of the corporation are state employees for all purposes, including:(1) accrual of leave time, insurance benefits, and retirement benefits;(2) Chapter 104, Civil Practice and Remedies Code; and(3) Chapter 501, Labor Code.Added by Acts 2021, Texas Acts of the 87th Leg. - Regular Session, ch. 875,Sec. 1.06, eff. 9/1/2021.