PROPOSED RULES
Original Notice.
Exempt from preproposal statement of inquiry under RCW 34.05.310(4).
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 357-46-035 Layoff option.
Hearing Location(s): Department of Personnel, 600 South Franklin, Olympia, WA, on August 13, 2009, at 8:30 a.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: August 13, 2009.
Submit Written Comments to: Connie Goff, Department of Personnel, P.O. Box 47500, e-mail connieg@dop.wa.gov, fax (360) 586-4694, by August 6, 2009. FOR DOP TRACKING PURPOSES PLEASE NOTE ON SUBMITTED COMMENTS "FORMAL COMMENT."
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact department of personnel by August 6, 2009, TTY (360) 753-4107 or (360) 586-8260.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The following proposed rule change addresses what layoff options rights to classifications an employee has held permanent status in prior to any breaks in state service.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapter 41.06 RCW.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 41.06.150.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: Department of personnel, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Kristie Wilson, 521 Capitol Way South, Olympia, WA, (360) 664-6408; Implementation and Enforcement: Department of personnel.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. Not required.
A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328.
June 30, 2009
Eva N. Santos
Director
OTS-2524.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 09-11-063, filed 5/14/09,
effective 6/16/09)
WAC 357-46-035
Layoff option.
(1) What option does a
permanent employee have to take a position when the employee
is scheduled for layoff?
Within the layoff unit, a permanent employee scheduled for layoff must be offered the option to take a position, if available, that meets the following criteria:
(a) The position is allocated to the class in which the employee holds permanent status at the time of the layoff. If no option to a position in the current class is available, the employee's option is to a position in a class in which the employee has held permanent status that is at the same salary range. If the employee has no option to take a position at the same salary range, the employee must be given an opportunity to take a position in a lower class in a class series in which the employee has held permanent status, in descending salary order. The employee does not have to have held permanent status in the lower class in order to be offered the option to take a position in the class.
(b) The position is comparable to the employee's current position as defined by the employer's layoff procedure.
(c) The employee satisfies the competencies and other position requirements.
(d) The position is funded and vacant, or if no vacant funded position is available, the position is occupied by the employee with the lowest employment retention rating.
(2) What if the employee has no option under subsection 1?
(a) If a permanent employee has no option available under subsection (1) of this section, the employer must determine if there is an available position in the layoff unit to offer the employee in lieu of separation that meets the following criteria:
(i) The position is at the same or lower salary range maximum as the position from which the employee is being laid off;
(ii) The position is vacant or held by a probationary employee or an employee in a nonpermanent appointment;
(iii) The position is comparable or less than comparable; and
(iv) The position is one for which the employee meets the competencies and other position requirements.
(b) If more than one qualifying position is available, the position with the highest salary range maximum is the one that must be offered.
(3) What happens when a class in which the employee previously held permanent status has been revised or abolished?
If a class in which an employee has previously held permanent status has been revised or abolished, the employer shall determine the closest matching class to offer as a layoff option. The closest matching class must be at the same or lower salary range maximum as the class from which the employee is being laid off.
(4) Does an employee have layoff option rights to classifications the employee held permanent status in prior to any breaks in state service?
General government employees have layoff option rights to all classifications the employee has held permanent status in regardless of any breaks in state service.
Higher education employers must address in their layoff procedure whether or not employees will be given layoff options to classes they held permanent status in prior to any breaks in state service.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 41.06 RCW. 09-11-063, § 357-46-035, filed 5/14/09, effective 6/16/09; 04-18-114, § 357-46-035, filed 9/1/04, effective 7/1/05.]