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Ending Employment
Layoff - Professional Staff Information

CONTENTS

UNDERSTAND

This information is designed to help professional staff, employees covered by the University of Washington Professional Staff Program, understand how the layoff process is administered. Your unit's Human Resources Consultant (HRC) is available to answer questions about the layoff process.

Layoff refers to a position's elimination because of a lack of funds, lack of work, or reorganization and is administered according to the Professional Staff Program. The employing unit determines that a layoff is necessary and is then responsible for preparing the layoff notification letter, obtaining the appointing authority's approval, and notifying the affected employee.

Layoff notice

Professional staff employees receive a minimum of 30 days written notice of layoff, and the layoff begins at the end of the work day on the effective date.

Reversion rights to classified service

If a professional staff employee moved to his or her professional staff position directly from a classified position, the employee may be eligible to revert to the highest classified position previously held. Application to return to classified service must be submitted to the Human Resources Operations Office no later than 30 calendar days following the effective date of layoff from professional staff.

Human Resources role

Professional staff employees scheduled for layoff may request to meet with a representative of their service team (Human Resources Consultant or Employment Specialist) to discuss University employment opportunities and learn about the application process. Human Resources is also responsible for determining whether an employee has "reversion rights."

Unemployment compensation

You may be eligible for unemployment compensation as a result of layoff. The Washington State Employment Security Department makes the determination, based on your past earnings, employment status, and availability for work.

You should contact Employment Security before the layoff effective date to get questions answered.

Annual leave, sick leave and other leave benefits

Upon separation from the University, employees are paid for accumulated annual leave, compensatory time ('comp time'), and holiday comp time.

You should use your personal holiday, or it will be lost. Sick leave is not paid off, however if you return to state employment within three years of separation, your sick leave balance at the time of layoff will be restored.

ACT

Actions you should take

  1. Begin an active job search inside and outside the University. Go to the UW employee employment webpages, create a candidate profile if you have not done so and search for jobs. By actively pursuing a job search, an employee may be able to secure another position at the UW or elsewhere prior to the effective date of the layoff.
  2. Talk with your Employment Specialist about job opportunities/applicable skills.
  3. Contact the Benefits Office to find out about continuation of health care coverage. See the Employee Layoff Checklist for additional suggestions and reminders.

Layoff Topics