A proposed revision to the University’s layoff policy clarifies that performance is one of the key factors that managers should use when deciding employee layoffs or reductions in time.

UC employees have 30 days to submit comments on the revised policy to their local Human Resources Office. The proposed policy, together with answers to frequently asked questions, is available on the At Your Service website.

UCOP employees are encouraged to submit any comments in writing to Michael Lum, manager of Employee and Labor Relations, by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 31, at michael.lum@ucop.edu.

The revised policy would apply to professional and support staff in career positions. It continues to allow managers to take seniority into account but clarifies that employee performance and skills should also be carefully considered.

UC decided to revise the policy after hearing concerns from managers that not factoring in employee performance when determining layoffs affects their ability to retain their best people, according to Dwaine B. Duckett, vice president for human resources.

Seniority will continue to be a prominent and important factor in any layoff decisions, Duckett said.

“Some of our highest performing employees have been with UC a long time. If there are two employees within the same layoff unit with the same skills and who have performed equally well, then the more senior employee would be retained. On the other hand, if there are true differences in performance, those factors would be considered.”

While UC is facing unprecedented budget cuts, the release of the revised policy does not mean that systemwide layoffs are imminent, Duckett said.

“UC has a long-term goal of building a stronger performance-based culture for its workforce,” Duckett said. “The proposed revision, along with new performance management programs, supports that goal.”

Union-represented employees may also submit any comments on the revised policy through their union representatives.

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