In the event that the county commission shall become responsible for the construction and maintenance of the roads of the county, then in such event any employee who has previously acquired permanent status with the state personnel system with the State Department of Transportation and who shall transfer to the employ of Cullman County shall be subject to any probationary period adopted by the Cullman County Commission; provided, however, that any such employee may, within six months of such employment with the county, transfer without prejudice back to the employ of the State Department of Transportation without loss of pay status or any other benefit or right as such employee previously had as such state employee.