Chapter 9
Chapter 9
Chapter 9
B. Promotion by Merit
Promotions based on merit advance workers who are best qualified for the position, rather than
those with the greatest seniority. When present employees are applying for a position, a worker’s
past performance is also considered. Effective performance appraisal helps build trust in the
system.
Merit is not easy to define and measure, it often requires difficult subjective evaluations. At
some point, someone has to make a judgment about an employee’s relative merit. Employees
may find it difficult to make a distinction between merit, because it is so hard to measure in an
objective way, and favoritism.
Advantage
Employee job-related abilities can be better matched with jobs to be filled.
Motivated and ambitious employees can be rewarded for outstanding performance.
Performance is fostered.
Disadvantage
Merit and ability are difficult to measure in an objective, impartial way.
Supervisors may reward their favorites, rather than the best employees, with high merit
ratings.
Disruptive conflict may result from worker competition for merit ratings.
Unlawful discrimination may enter into merit evaluations.
B. Retirement
An employee’s decision to retire is entirely voluntary. However, an employee’s retirement decision does
not automatically terminate organization employment. Retiring employees must also submit a letter of
resignation to the home department.
In some circumstances, the probationary period may be extended an additional three months.
Probationary employees must be advised, in writing, of the reasons for the extension no later
than seven calendar days before the six month probationary period ends. A decision to extend
probation requires review and coordination with employee & labor relations. You are
encouraged to contact Employee and Labor Relations as soon as you begin thinking about
extending an employee’s probationary period but no later than two weeks before the end of
probationary period. More information about managing the probationary employees, see the
'Performance Management' section on the left.
Employees subject to an involuntary separation action, e.g., probationary release, termination, may
voluntarily request to resign in lieu of rumination. Management is encouraged to accept offers to resign in
lieu of termination. However, management may not coerce or otherwise pressure an employee to agree to
resign in lieu of termination. You should be in contact Employee and Labor Relations prior to accepting
resignations in lieu of termination.
H. Job Abandonment
Employees absent from work, without authorization, for more than a certain number of days (consult the
applicable organization policy or collective bargaining agreement), may trigger the job abandonment
process. Employees may be terminated for job abandonment following the appropriate notification
process. You must work closely with Employee and Labor Relations to evaluate the need for and decision
to proceed with a job abandonment action.
I. Layoff
Employees may be laid off from career positions based on a lack of work and/or lack of funds. Layoff
may be permanent or temporary. Layoffs are generally determined by seniority (total years at UC) order
and should not, in most cases, be based on performance. Generally, employees need 60 days written
notice before permanent layoff. Therefore, departments are encouraged to begin layoff planning at least
90 days in advance of the effective date. Department considering layoffs should review the applicable
policies or collective bargaining agreements and consult with Employee & Labor Relations early in the
planning process. More detailed information regarding layoff actions is available in the LAYOFF
RESOURCES FOR MANAGERS section to the left.
J. Medical Separation
A regular status employee who becomes unable to perform essential functions of his or her position with
or without reasonable accommodation, due to a disability, may be separated from employment. Prior to
medical separation, the organization will engage in the interactive process in accordance with the
applicable provisions of organization policy or collective bargaining agreements.