University of Washington Human Resources

Layoff seniority units and layoff seniority

Last updated: June 24, 2025

Note: Layoff Seniority Unit value not available in Workday until mid-July.

Employees who have completed their probationary period and hold permanent status may have layoff rights. These rights are outlined in:

• Collective bargaining agreements for represented employees
• Civil service rules (Title 357 WAC) for classified non-union employees.
  Employees in positions represented by a union with layoff rights have layoff seniority within their layoff seniority unit.

Definitions

“Layoff seniority” is defined as the continuous length of service in calendar days with the UW from the most recent date of hire. Layoff seniority is lost following a break in service such as termination (voluntary or involuntary) or movement out of classified service, expiration of rehire rights, or movement to positions that do not have layoff rights (e.g., professional staff, faculty). Layoff seniority calculations are further defined in relevant collective bargaining agreements or civil service rules.

“Layoff seniority unit” is a defined grouping within which a represented employee is offered an employment option (sometimes referred to as a “bump” option) in accordance with their collective bargaining agreement or civil service rules. Layoff seniority units are typically the major org, division, or a combination of major orgs and defined in the appendices of collective bargaining agreements.

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Layoff employment option process

When it becomes necessary for a department to reduce its workforce due to lack of work, lack of funds or reorganization, an employee scheduled for layoff will be offered an employment option as outlined in their collective bargaining agreement or in civil service rules provided they meet the essential skills (as defined in minimum quals listed in the job description for the specific position) of the offered position. Typically, the single available option is determined by following the list below in descending order until the employment option is identified:

1. A funded vacant position within the same job profile and layoff unit.
2. The opportunity to replace or “bump” the most junior employee in the same job profile within the layoff seniority unit.
3. A funded vacant position in a lower job profile within the same series within the layoff seniority unit.
4. The opportunity to replace the most junior employee in a lower job profile within the same series within the department.

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Supporting layoff seniority calculation accuracy

Because employment options are based on ensuring the employee has the required competencies for the position, and the employee’s layoff seniority and layoff seniority unit , it is critical that the following be maintained accurately in Workday:

• Job description: whether an employee is qualified to bump into a position will be based on the job description.
• Company service date: This date is set by HCM Operations or the UW Medicine HR WMS team.
• Layoff seniority unit: This value is a custom organization set by the HR Partner or Academic Partner. Layoff seniority units are specific to both the union and the major org of the position and, are configured to be set on all represented positions in Workday even if layoff seniority is not provided for in the collective bargaining agreement.

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Setting the layoff seniority unit

Beginning mid-July 2025, HR or Academic Partners will be asked to:

• Identify the position’s layoff seniority unit in the Change Organization Assignments for Worker business process (which is triggered during the Create Position, Edit Position, and Edit Position Restrictions business processes).
• Search for either the position’s major org or union, and
• Select the layoff unit that best reflects the position’s major org/unit and union combination. While most layoff units are at the major org level, some are more granular.

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List of contract covered layoff seniority units

If you have questions about which layoff seniority unit to select, please contact your Named Support Contact.

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