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1. What role does seniority play in layoffs?

   When it becomes necessary to lay off County employees within a department, the order in which County employees are laid off within each class that is affected by the layoff is based on seniority.

2. How is seniority established?

   If the affected class is represented, the layoff provisions of the applicable labor agreement will determine the method for establishing seniority. If the class is not represented, the provisions of the Personnel Ordinance will govern the method for establishing seniority. The Personnel Ordinance and most labor agreements state, "Seniority shall be determined by the date of original appointment to the class. 'Date of original appointment to the class' means the date the employee first was appointed to the class, on or after the most recent date of entry into County service, regardless of type of appointment, including, but not limited to, provisional, limited term, temporary and exempt." However, there are a few exceptions to this standard system of defining seniority so in all cases involving bargaining unit employees, labor agreements should be reviewed for details regarding seniority determination.

3. Can a more senior employee be displaced if there are less senior employees working in another department?

   Yes. Seniority is by class within the department unless labor contracts or ordinances provide otherwise.

4. How does my seniority change if I transfer to another class?

   Your seniority is based on your original appointment date to your current class. If you transfer to another class, your seniority in that class will be based on your new appointment date to the transfer class.

5. How does my seniority change if I transfer to another department in my same class?

   Your seniority is based on your original appointment date to your current class. If you transfer to another department, your seniority in that class is based on your appointment date to that class, as compared to other employees in that class, in your new department.

6. Who determines seniority and demotion rights?

   The Department of Personnel Services is responsible for preparing seniority lists for each class that is affected by the proposed layoff. The methods for determining seniority are defined in labor agreements and the County Personnel Ordinance.