Getting Laid Off

Permanent employees must receive at least fifteen calendar days notice unless employer and employee agree to waive the fifteen days notice period. Probationary employees must receive at least one calendar days notice.

☛ Keep your eye on new job announcements for the state and other employers, and apply through the usual process.

☛ Get on as many eligible lists and higher education statewide layoff lists as you can.

☛ Contact as many employers as you can for whom you think you might like to work. Try to find out if they would be interested in you should a position come open with duties that your skills and abilities might match.

☛ Update your resume.

☛ Watch for new job announcements so you can apply for them.

The classes available to you should be listed in your layoff notice. If they are not, contact your employer's human resource office and ask them to identify them for you.

The key is your attitude to the layoff rather than the layoff itself. Your attitude will be evident in how you communicate it to the interviewer. Prepare a statement that explains it in a concise and factual way that you feel comfortable with.

Give the reason such as downsizing, restructuring, a merger. Ensure that you highlight what you managed to accomplish during your time at the company.

According to the layoff rules, an applicant is eligible to be on internal and statewide layoff lists up to two years from the effective date of their layoff.