• Seniority System
In general, layoffs are conducted in reverse order of seniority. In other words, the more seniority you have, the less likely you are to be laid off.
Seniority is based on how long you’ve worked for the State of California, which also includes qualifying exempt service with the Legislature, University of California, and/or California State University systems. Certain military service also counts toward seniority.
For employees in bargaining units 5, 6, and 13, the contracts specify that only time served within the bargaining unit counts toward seniority. Refer to the bargaining unit contracts for specific seniority provisions.
Seniority also is used to determine the rights of employees to demote in lieu of layoff. An employee whose position is eliminated is allowed to demote or transfer to a position held by a less senior employee. This is called “bumping.”
Departments facing layoff will make seniority scores available to employees. This allows you to see how your seniority compares to others in your classification.