How to Calculate Seniority for Layoff/Reduction in Time

Make Your Meetings More Active

  • Include items on your meeting agenda that require participants to get out of their seats (breakout groups, stand and write ideas on an easel).
  • Choose movement friendly meeting locations (walkable neighborhoods, on-site gym, nearby park).
  • Hire a professional instructor (pilates, yoga, tai chi, stretching, Zumba) to lead a class before or during the meeting.
  • Point out the stairs and encourage attendees to use them. Consider including the location of stairs in meeting directions or putting arrows to the stairs in front of elevators.
  • Organize a group walk early in the morning, during a break or before/after dinner.
  • Consider incorporating standing ovations after each speaker to encourage participants to stand and stretch.

Standing Breaks

  • At least once an hour, participants should be encouraged to stand up to improve blood circulation, boost metabolism, and relieve physical discomfort from sitting for prolonged periods of time.
  • Announce that it is fine to stand up and move around, as needed. If possible, provide raised tables for those electing to stand during the meeting.

Stretch Breaks

  • Stretch breaks help participants wake up their bodies and minds.
  • Encourage people to stand up and stretch in place.
  • Try playing a Healthy UC Davis WakeBreak video! These instructor-led stretch videos range from 4 to 15 minutes. 

Breathing Exercise

  • Focused breathing is an energizing activity that can help relax and clear your mind. Simply inhale for four seconds, hold it for seven seconds, and exhale for eight seconds.

Suggested Activity Agendas

LENGTH OF MEETINGSTANDING BREAKSTRETCH BREAKSBREATHING BREAKSMOVEMENT BREAKSWALKING BREAKS
50 - 60 minx x  
2 - 4 hoursxxxx 
All Dayxxxxx

Follow the steps below to calculate seniority for decisions made during layoff or reduction in time.

  1. Prepare to calculate seniority
    • Contact your Employee Relations Consultant to determine:
      • Your layoff unit
      • Which job classifications will be affected by layoff in your department
    • Create a list of all employees in the layoff unit who have the same job classification as the positions scheduled for layoff
    • Collect time records for each employee in the classifications targeted for layoff
  2. Calculate seniority
    • For each employee, assign one seniority point for each month worked on a full-time basis and partial points for less-than-full-time employees.
      • Example: An employee works one month on a full-time basis and earns 1 seniority point. The next month, the employee works 75% on a full-time basis. The employee's seniority points total 1.75.
    • Other factors that affect seniority:
      • Only employment while on pay status counts toward seniority.
      • All types of paid time (e.g., vacation, Workers' Compensation) count toward seniority.
      • Employment before a break in service (separation from employment status) does not count unless the employee had been laid off with preference and re-employed within the preferential rehire period.
      • Determine seniority calculation method by reviewing Personnel Policy for Staff Members or the applicable collective bargaining agreement.
    • Out-of-seniority retentions: 
      • If individuals in your department possess special knowledge, skills, and abilities (e.g., certifications or licenses) required for business operations, you may be able to retain them regardless of seniority.
  3. Create a seniority list
    • Based on your calculations in Step 2, create a list of career employees in the same layoff unit and same classification in order of seniority (highest to lowest points).
    • The least senior career employees in the same layoff unit and same classification are considered first for layoff.
  4. Check your calculations.

If you have questions, please contact Employee & Labor Relations at UC Davis or UC Davis Health.