Layoff Interview Preparation Guide

Layoff is the temporary suspension or permanent termination of employment of an employee or a group of employees for business reasons, such as when certain positions are no longer necessary or when a business slow-down occurs.
Laid off workers or displaced workers refers to workers who have lost or left their jobs because their employer has closed or moved, there was insufficient work for them to do or their position or shift was abolished.

It is a reduction in your employer's workforce. The most common reasons for a layoff are:
☛ Lack of funds
☛ Lack of work
☛ Organizational change

Examples of layoff actions due to lack of work may include, but are not limited to:
☛ Termination of a project or special employment.
☛ Availability of fewer positions than there are employees entitled to such positions.
☛ Employee's ineligibility to continue in a position following its reallocation to a class with a higher salary range maximum.
☛ Employee's ineligibility to continue or choice not to continue, in a position following its reallocation to a class with a lower salary range maximum.

These are the impacts that result:
☛ Separation from service with your employer.
☛ Employment in a class with a lower salary range maximum.
☛ Reduction in your work year.
☛ Reduction in the number of hours you work.

You must be notified in writing of the following:
☛ The reason or basis of the layoff.
☛ Any layoff options your employer identified for you.
☛ Whether a transition review period is required.
☛ The date by when you must select any layoff options.
☛ The layoff lists for which you are eligible to apply.
☛ Your right to appeal the layoff.

When the employer identifies your layoff option, consideration is given first to classes at the salary range from which you are being laid off in which you have been permanent.
If no option is found, the employer then looks for an option to a class at a lower salary range in which you have held permanent status or an option to lower class in a class series/occupational category in which you have held permanent status. The employer must always consider the classes in descending salary order.

Permanent employees must receive at least fifteen calendar days notice unless employer and employee agree to waive the fifteen days notice period. Probationary employees must receive at least one calendar days notice.

You can get your name on layoff lists as soon as you receive written notice of the layoff, including the effective date. You may be eligible to have your name on more than one layoff list.

There are two types of layoff lists.
☛ The internal layoff lists
☛ Statewide layoff lists
The internal and statewide layoff lists are both maintained by class. Both lists are composed of laid off employees.

The statewide layoff list is used by other employers. Since other employers may also employ people with competencies, skills and abilities that you possess, you can improve your opportunities to be rehired after layoff by getting on the statewide layoff list for classes for which you qualify.