N.J. Admin. Code § 4A:8-1.6

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 19, October 7, 2024

Section 4A:8-1.6 - Layoff notice

(a) No permanent employee or employee serving in a working test period shall be separated or demoted as a result of a layoff action without having been served by the appointing authority, at least 45 days prior to the action, with a written notice personally, unless the employee is on a leave of absence or otherwise unavailable, in which case by certified mail. If service is by certified mail, the 45 days shall be counted from the first date of notice by the United States Postal Service to addressee. A notice shall also be conspicuously posted in all affected facilities of the layoff unit. For positions that are not targeted by a layoff but may be impacted by employees exercising their lateral or demotional rights, a general written notice must be served by the appointing authority personally, unless the employee is on a leave of absence or otherwise unavailable, in which case by certified mail, at least 45 days prior to the action. A copy of the notice served on employees shall be provided to a representative of the Civil Service Commission and affected negotiations representatives.

1. In State service, the Chairperson or designee may order a greater period of time for written notice to employees.

(b) The notice shall contain the following:

1. The effective date of the layoff action; and

2. The reason for the layoff.

(c) The appointing authority shall be responsible for keeping records of those employees receiving the layoff notice.

(d) A layoff shall not take place more than 120 days after service of the notice unless an extension of time is granted by the Chairperson or designee for good cause. If a layoff has not taken place within 120 days of service of the notice, and no extension has been granted, new notices must be served at least 45 days prior to the effective date of the layoff.

(e) Layoff rights and related seniority determinations (see N.J.A.C. 4A:8-2) shall be based upon the scheduled effective date of a layoff. These determinations shall remain applicable even if the effective date of the layoff is extended. However, when the scheduled effective date is extended, the appointing authority shall notify the Chairperson or designee of employees who successfully complete their working test periods prior to displacement. The Chairperson or designee shall then redetermine only the special reemployment rights to reflect the newly attained permanent status.

(f) Following determination of layoff rights by the Civil Service Commission, permanent and probationary employees affected by a layoff action shall be served with a final written notice of their status, including a statement of appeal rights.

1. Employees notified of their separation from service due to layoff shall be informed of vacancies in other State departments or agencies, to which an employee, if qualified and if rated a two (Successful) or above in a three-level rating scale or a three (Successful) or above in a five-level rating scale in the most recent final PAR rating (or equivalent), shall have a right to accept an appointment in lieu of separation. Should an employee accept an appointment to such a vacancy in lieu of separation, the employee shall forfeit any special reemployment rights that he or she would have had.

N.J. Admin. Code § 4A:8-1.6

Amended by 48 N.J.R. 2780(a), effective 12/19/2016