What is preferential rehire? And recall?
Preferential rehire for non-represented staff is an option the campus may provide in lieu of severance to a regular status PSS employee who is laid off indefinitely or whose time is reduced indefinitely. If offered, it is the right to receive preferential consideration after the date of the layoff for any active, vacant career position for which the employee is qualified, which is at the same or lower salary grade, at the same or lesser percentage of time, and at the same campus as the position from which the employee was indefinitely laid off or indefinitely reduced in time.
Recall is the right of a regular status employee to return to any active, vacant career position for which the employee is qualified, which is in the same classification, salary grade, department, and at the same or lesser percentage of time as the position from which the employee was indefinitely laid off or indefinitely reduced in time.
When a PSS employee is indefinitely laid off, the campus is required to provide severance, but may, at its discretion, allow the selection of preferential rehire and recall instead.
What is changing?
Berkeley is indefinitely suspending the preferential rehire and recall option for PSS employees who are laid off. Effective April 20, 2016, the only consideration available to PSS employees who are being laid off will be severance, consistent with the requirements of Personnel Policies for Staff Members (PPSM), Section 60.III.A and J [http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010429/PPSM-60].
Why the change?
It is the policy of the University to minimize the effects of indefinite layoffs and indefinite reductions in time on employees in career positions when layoffs are necessary. Given the current budgetary constraints and the university’s desire to reduce operational costs overall, the availability of additional positions that meet the criteria for placement as a preferential rehire or recall candidate is expected to diminish in the future.
What happens if I have already elected preferential rehire/recall?
Employees who are already in their rehire/recall “window” (i.e. their separation date was prior to April 20, 2016 and they already signed the form to voluntarily select this option in lieu of severance) will retain their right to preferential rehire and recall for the duration of their eligibility. Layoff options for represented staff will continue to be governed by the terms of the appropriate collective bargaining agreement.
Need additional information?
More detailed information can be found on our Frequently Asked Questions page. Any questions about this change should be directed to your HR Partner.