Reduction In Force

Reduc t i on i n Fo rce

By

Char la Long

December 6 , 2008

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Reduc t i on i n Fo rce Reduction in force (RIF) is when a reduction of one or more positions is eliminated. Reduction in force takes place when there are changes in the budget, legislative actions, or a position changes and the employee is no longer able to perform the duties. The board of education can determine when a reduction in force is appropriate because of enrollment declining, curricular programs, taxable value of property, increased costs of operating the school district. When a board decides to have a reduction in force the superintendent should notify employees who may be reduced. A criterion is set when determining the personnel to be reduced. Temporary employees performing the same work must be terminated before any employee. Employees, with probationary appointments as well as trainees with less than six months experience shall be let go before permanent employees. Once these employees are let go then the reduction can reach the permanent employees if the need is

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still there for a reduction the board will determine which positions are the most vital to the department. Length of service of employees, skills, and knowledge each teacher brings to their department. Some school districts offer early retirement incentive programs or help employees find other positions. As an employee you have employment rights when reduction in force is in effect. Personal is entitled to notification of being laid off in writing at least thirty days prior to the reduction and the reason for the reduction. Employees should be directed to the Human Resource department so they can obtain information on benefits, reemployment, other employment, and apply for unemployment insurance benefits. Reduction in force employees have priority reemployment rights to the same type of job, salary, level, as held at the time of written notification for up to twelve months. The employees have to submit applications to the Human resources. If employees are offered a position at the same or higher salary or level within thirty five miles of original work they lose priority if they decline the offer. If they accept a position at a lower pay scale they do not lose priority.

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Some employees decide to retire after they are notified of reduction in force if this is the case they are not entitled to the reemployment benefit. If they retire after they have been laid off they can be considered for reemployment during the twelve month period. Dallas Independent school district has faced many obstacles this school year in there budget and are having to face reduction in force for there employees. In September Dallas ISD started lying off people in the central office to help with the budget deficit. The district is faced with a $64 million budget shortfall due to a miscalculation of teacher salaries in the district.

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