Denver adopts sweeping new rules for looming layoffs
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A city panel on Tuesday approved controversial new layoff rules for city workers despite outcry from opponents who called the new regulations targeted, rushed and unfair.
Why it matters: The rules will affect thousands of Denver workers facing possible layoffs as the city moves to shrink its workforce to close a $200 million gap in next year's budget.
- Some city staff and community members criticized Mayor Mike Johnston's administration, chastising the rocky rollout amid broken employee morale.
State of play: Tuesday's decision by the Career Service Board, which oversees the rules guiding the merit system for city employees, sets criteria to determine forthcoming layoffs.
- Determining factors include performance, skills, abilities and employee tenure.
- Protections are added for people within 90 days of retirement eligibility.
- Laid-off employees will be eligible for reinstatement within one year.
Between the lines: A controversial process by which more senior employees could "bump" less veteran staffers to avoid layoffs will no longer be used.
Friction point: Opponents — including all but two Denver City Council members — publicly said the changes negatively affect longstanding employees by reducing seniority as a primary factor in determining layoffs.
- The changes will create confusion, negatively impact employee morale and prompt inequitable treatment, per a letter from council members addressed to the Career Service Board.
- Council members also questioned the timing: A law allowing most city workers to collectively bargain will take effect next January.
The other side: Johnston in a statement called the changes an important step toward ensuring the city's workforce meets local needs "during difficult economic times."
The intrigue: Not all of the new factors will carry equal weight. Length of service is fixed at 25%, while performance, skills and abilities will range from 10% to 35%.
What we're watching: It's still unknown how many city staff will be laid off, though some departments may be required to make up to 20% cuts, city staff said last month.