Layoff Policy

Layoff ends an academic staff member's appointment before the end of the appointment. Layoff provides less notice to an academic staff member than nonrenewal and entitles the academic staff member to certain reappointment and referral rights. See ASPP 5.09.

Reasons for Layoff (when proper notice of nonrenewal cannot be given)

1. Funding loss
2. Program redirection

Advance written notice of layoff must be given to academic staff members according to their appointment security type and years of service as an academic staff member at UW-Madison.

• Minimum Notice Period for Layoff of Fixed Term and Probationary Appointees
• Minimum Notice Period for Layoff of Rolling Horizon and Indefinite Appointees

Layoffs may be appealed by academic staff members under the procedures provided in ASPP 5.05. Ultimately, the layoff can be appealed to the Academic Staff Appeals Committee; the employing unit has the burden of showing by a preponderance of the evidence that the layoff is in fact the result of a budget or program decision requiring program discontinuance, curtailment, modification, or redirection and is not arbitrary or capricious or for reasons prohibited by law. See ASPP 5.09 The final decision making authority rests with the Chancellor.