State of California

  M E M O R A N D U M

  REFERENCE CODE:
  2003-042

  DATE:
  October 6, 2003

  TO:
  Employee Relations Officers
  Personnel Officers
  Personnel Transactions Supervisors

  FROM:
  Department of Personnel Administration
  Policy and Operations Division

  SUBJECT:
  Departmental Personnel Contact for Service and Seniority 
  Unit

  CONTACT:
  Cindy Schirmer, Supervisor
  Service and Seniority Unit
  (916) 324-0439
  FAX: (916) 324-3248
  Email: CindySchirmer@dpa.ca.gov


  The Service and Seniority Unit (SSU) is currently 
  responsible for computing and checking a very large number 
  of seniority scores within short time frames for 
  departments undergoing layoff.  In order to improve our 
  efficiency, we are notifying departments of some procedural 
  changes.
  
  DEPARTMENTAL CONTACT
  
  We are requesting that departments establish a single 
  departmental contact to work with the SSU.  The SSU 
  receives a large number of questions both by phone and 
  mail.  We have found that a single contact has proven to be 
  an efficient and effective practice both for us and for 
  department staff.  This ensures that the SSU is receiving 
  questions that have been thoroughly researched at the 
  department level.  Departments with district personnel 
  staff should direct all calls and correspondence through 
  their headquarters contact.
  
  Please complete the attached form designating your 
  department contact and an alternate.  The form should be 
  returned to the SSU by October 10, 2003. 
  
  STATE SERVICE VERIFICATION
  
  At this time, seniority for the purposes of layoff is the 
  SSU's top priority.  We recognize that State service 
  verification for other purposes is important.  However, 
  until we have fully met the needs of the current reduction 
  effort, requests for State service for other than layoff 
  purposes may be delayed. 
  
  We appreciate your efforts in working with us and we will 
  continue to work on solutions to better serve your 
  seniority needs.
  
  
  
  
  Bob Painter, Chief
  Policy and Operations Division
  
  
  Attachments will be distributed via mail.