Frequently Asked Questions About Staff Reductions at LAUSD
If you received a reassignment or staff reduction letter from the District and have questions, please contact Local 99's Member Resource Center at 213-637-0296.
Personnel Commission rules and our union contracts offer specific protections for members facing staff reductions. It is important that you know your rights. Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about the staff reduction procedures.
WHO IS PROTECTED BY CLASSIFIED LAYOFF AND REEMPLOYMENT PROCEDURES?
Most regular status classified employees are covered; restricted employees, substitute employees and most of the Unclassified Service employees are not protected.
I USED TO BE A RESTRICTED EMPLOYEE, BUT I AM NOW REGULAR UNRESTRICTED. AM I COVERED BY LAYOFF AND REEMPLOYMENT RULES?
Yes, you are covered.
I AM A PROBATIONARY EMPLOYEE, AM I COVERED BY LAYOFF AND REEMPLOYMENT RULES?
Yes, you are covered. As a general rule, if you had to pass an examination to be appointed to your job,you have earned seniority as a regular employee and therefore have retention and reemployment rights..
IF MY POSITION IS BEING CLOSED OUT, HOW WOULD I KNOW?
You would receive notice from the Classified Employment Transactions Services Branch advising you that your position is being terminated. Your Manager may inform you as well.
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY POSITION IS CLOSED OUT?
A: It depends on how much seniority you have and the number of positions in your job classification. You would be assigned to a comparable vacant position (with the same basis and same number of hours) if there is one. If no comparable position exists you would bump the person with the least seniority in the classification.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE IS NO VACANCY IN MY JOB CLASSIFICATION AND I DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH SENIORITY TO BUMP ANOTHER EMPLOYEE?
You would bump back to your former regular classification according to seniority order. If that is not possible then you would be laid off and your name would be placed on the reemployment list.
WHAT IS A REEMPLOYMENT LIST?
It is a list of persons who have been laid off from a particular job classification. The reemployment list is in the reverse order of the employees who were laid off. Whenever a vacancy occurs, the person at the top of the reemployment list for the job classification is offered the job.
HOW LONG WOULD MY NAME REMAIN ON THE REEMPLOYMENT LIST?
If you continue with the LAUSD in regular status, your name remains on the reemployment list
indefinitely. If you are laid off from the School District, or you voluntarily reduce your status your name remains on the reemployment list for 39 months. After three refusals for the specific classification, your name will be removed from the reemployment list.
HOW MUCH NOTICE OF LAYOFF WOULD I GET?
Ordinarily, 45 calendar days notice is given to persons prior to layoff.
THERE IS A POSITION I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE AND THE INCUMBENT HAS LESS SENIORITY THAN ME. CAN I BUMP THAT PERSON?
You cannot select a particular position or location to bump into. If there is a vacant position in your job classification, you would be placed in that position ; otherwise you would bump the least senior employee in your job classification.
WHAT IF I BUMP ANOTHER EMPLOYEE, BUT I DON’T LIKE THE LOCATION OF THE NEW POSITION?
If your new assignment is inconveniently located, you may file a request for transfer so that you can be considered for vacancies that might occur in the future. Obtain PC Form 5005 from the Classified Employment Transactions Services Branch, or from any of the Classified Employment Offices or from the Personnel Commission website.
ARE BUMPING AND REEMPLOYMENT RIGHTS BASED ON THE NUMBER OF TOTAL HOURS WORKED OR THE ORIGINAL HIRING DATE?
Seniority in a job classification is based on the first date of hire in regular status in the employee’s class. In the event of extended periods of unpaid time, seniority is reduced equal to the period of unpaid time.
IF I WERE LAID OFF FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, WOULD I BE ENTITLED TO UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE?
Probably. For further information, contact the California State Employment Development Department or visit their website address at www.edd.ca.gov.
I AM ON A PROMOTIONAL ELIGIBILITY LIST. WHAT HAPPENS TO MY NAME ON THE PROMOTIONAL LIST IF I AM LAID OFF FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT?
Layoff does not remove your name from a promotional eligibility list. You may be offered a position during the life of the eligibility list. In addition, if you were in regular status at the time of layoff, you retain your eligibility to compete in other promotional examinations for 39 months.
AM I ELIGIBLE TO TAKE OTHER EMPLOYMENT EXAMINATIONS?
Yes. We encourage you to apply online at www.lausdjobs.org for positions that you meet the qualifications.
WHERE DO I REGISTER FOR EXAMINATIONS?
The fastest way to be notified of upcoming examinations is to register online at www.lausdjobs.org.
You may also visit any of the following classified employment offices:
CLASSIFIED RECRUITMENT BRANCH
Phone: (213) 353-4200
1543 Shatto Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017
VALLEY CLASSIFIED EMPLOYMENT OFFICE
Phone: (818) 654-1600
6505 Zelzah Avenue, Bungalow AA-1245
Reseda, CA 91335
MID-CITIES CLASSIFIED EMPLOYMENT OFFICE
Phone: (323) 753-3321
944 West 77th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90044
WHAT HAPPENS TO MY MEDICAL, DENTAL AND VISION PLAN COVERAGE IF I AM LAID OFF FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT?
If you are laid off, you will be eligible to continue your medical, dental and vision coverage plans at your expense under the COBRA programs. You may contact the Benefits Administration at (213) 241-4262 or visit their website at benefits@lausd.net.
WHAT HAPPENS TO MY LIFE INSURANCE COVERAGE IF I AM LAID OFF FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT?
If you are laid off, you may contact MetLife at (866) 492-6983 for information.
WHAT IF I HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT MY HEALTH BENEFITS?
Please call Benefits Administration at (213) 241-4262.
CAN I TAKE MY VACATION BEFORE LAYOFF OR REDUCTION IN CLASSIFICATION?
Vacation may be granted before layoff if the requirements of your work allow it and your supervisor approves your vacation request. If you demote to a lower classification, vacation will be paid at the salary rate of the lower classification.
IF I AM LAID OFF FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, WILL I RECEIVE ALL OF MY ACCRUED VACATION PAY?
Yes, you will receive your accrued vacation, if you are a permanent employee and leave District
employment as a result of layoff. You may not be paid lump-sum vacation if you remain an employee of the School District, or if you are in an initial probationary period with the District.
WHAT HAPPENS TO MY RETIREMENT FUNDS IF I AM LAID OFF FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT?
Several choices are available to you: Contact CalPERS for available options at 1-800-225-7377 or at www.calpers.ca.gov.
SUPPOSE I AM NOTIFIED THAT I AM GOING TO BE LAID OFF IN 45 DAYS AND I RECEIVE A JOB OFFER FROM OUTSIDE THE DISTRICT, BUT THEY WANT ME TO START WORK IN ABOUT TWO WEEKS. SHOULD I RESIGN?
If you need to be absent in order to accept a job elsewhere, ask your supervisor to approve vacation or an unpaid leave of absence. That way your place on the reemployment list could be protected, giving you a right to return to School District employment for 39 months after layoff, if work becomes available.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM LAID OFF AND I HAVE A LOAN WITH MY CREDIT UNION?
Even if you are laid off, you will be able to remain a member and can use the services of your credit union. For details, contact your credit union.
ARE THERE OUTPLACEMENT SERVICES AVAILABLE?
Yes, there are outplacement services available to classified employees who will be laid off. Affected employees interested in learning about employment opportunities outside the District, or how to improve or even create a resume should contact Organizational Excellence at (213) 353-4300.