Many procedures, including those for termination and layoff, differ between the various employee groups. The UW Operations Manual has a specific, structured procedure for firing, and termination is generally preceded by lesser corrective actions. While termination of contract or civil service employees may be reviewed by outside boards or agencies, professional staff firings are not subject to review outside the UW, although professional staff employees do have the right to appeal wrongful termination through the civil courts. Layoff Professional staff appointments are never considered permanent and appointments can be modified or ended for any reason that does not unlawfully discriminate or violate public policy. In contrast, contract or civil service employees become permanent after a probationary period and have layoff procedures which are structured to preserve employment based on seniority.
Layoffs generally occur because of reorganization of the employing unit or lack of funding.
Laid-off employees are generally those that are considered least essential to the operation. If a program is discontinued, all employees may be laid off. These options are not available to professional staff employees, although employees who converted from classified to professional staff may be entitled to revert to classified status if their professional appointment ends. Although protected, laid-off contract or civil service employees are not guaranteed a job identical to their old one. Reemployment always depends on the employee possessing the essential skills needed for the position.