At the University of Iowa, the term layoff typically refers to the permanent elimination of Professional and Scientific staff positions. P&S staff who receive layoff notices have access to programs that can help them identify and apply for new positions. 

If you are laid off, your access to these programs and the length of time until your job ends depends on your employment status (probationary, specified term, at-will, career). It's important to understand the time periods leading up to and following a layoff:

  • Layoff Notice Period: The time between a layoff notice and your last day of work. Layoff notifications range from 3-6 months, depending on P&S employment status and length of regular continuous service.
  • Layoff Period: The 12-month period after your last day of work.

Layoff Notice

In most cases, your supervisor and/or local HR professionals will notify you that your P&S position will be eliminated. They will work with University Human Resources staff to make sure you receive information about the timeline for your layoff, programs that can help you find a new job, and additional support resources.

Layoff Meeting

Compensation and Classification staff at University Human Resources will receive a copy of your layoff notification. They'll create a central file that includes the notification and any layoff extensions or additional documentation.

If you request it, Compensation and Classification also will schedule a meeting to review the layoff process and the options available to you. You'll receive information about:

  • The length of your layoff notice and layoff period.
  • Programs that can help you find a new P&S position, including the Layoff Networking Program and the Layoff Resume Job Pool.
  • Personal and job-search resources including the Employee Assistance Program and Career Development Advising Services.
  • Layoff interview priority consideration available to P&S staff guarantees interviews for open P&S positions at or below your current salary for which you meet all required qualifications.
  • What happens if you return to the university within 12 months of your layoff date.

Layoff ICON Course

Complete layoff information is also available in an ICON course. Find the course by:

  1. Logging into Employee Self Service.
  2. Clicking "My Career" then "My Training".
  3. Clicking the "Enroll in Courses" button at the top of the Compliance & Qualifications page.
  4. Entering "WFURLO" into the "Course Number" field and click the "Search Courses" button.

During Your Layoff Notice Period

Over the months before your layoff date—the day your job ends—you'll continue to work (unless you've made other arrangements with your unit or have accepted a Lump Sum Payment Option offer).

As a laid-off P&S employee, you have layoff consideration. You can request layoff interview priority which guarantees you consideration for open positions at or below your current pay level if you meet the qualifications of the position.

You can also use the Layoff Networking Program and Layoff Resume Job Pool, and can make use of additional resources like the Employee Assistance Program and Career Development Advising Services.

After Your Layoff Date

Once your job ends and your layoff period begins, you can continue to use some of the programs described above.

If you have left any regular P&S position, you can access all of these programs—including interview consideration—for the duration of your layoff period. You can continue to use the Employee Assistance Program for up to three months after your job ends.

If you return to the university within 12 months following termination, the university will:

  • Reinstate any sick leave you'd accumulated prior to the termination of your previous job.
  • Vacation will have been paid out and will not be reinstated nor can it be purchased back.
  • Restore your seniority date to the date that was in effect prior to termination.
  • Reinstate your benefit eligibility date and retirement eligibility date back to the dates that were in effect at the time of termination.
  • Reinstate priority eligibility for parking, athletic tickets, and any other benefits you had at the time of termination.

If you return to the university after a layoff, check with your new HR representative if you're unsure whether the actions listed above have been completed. Your new hiring department may not be aware you were previously laid off.