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| Reduction in Force FAQs | ||||
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Frequently Asked Questions by Employees Affected by a Reduction in Force 1. Is there any chance that the agency will be able to bring back my old position and rehire me? There is always a chance the position could be reinstated, but it would only occur if the conditions under which you were RIFed were eliminated. For instance, if you were RIFed due to a budget reduction, the funds would have to be reinstated in some way for you to be recalled to the position. What’s the likelihood of this happening? Not very great. It’s best to plan on your position not being available and concentrate on finding a new job. 2. Are any state agencies hiring? State agencies are always hiring but in an austere funding environment, they concentrate on hiring only individuals with critical skills. Consequently, your job search should include not only the state government, but also other public and private organizations. 3. What services are offered to help place RIFed employees? The Office of Human Resources (OHR) and the Employment Security Commission are two primary agencies that will help you in your job search. OHR will provide assistance in finding, applying, and interviewing for available positions. The Employment Security Commission, through their local offices, also provides job search assistance to include specifics on your Unemployment Insurance benefits. 4. Will it be more difficult for me to get a job because I have been RIFed? Gone are the days when a layoff was an unfavorable mark on your employment history. It’s now accepted that people do get laid off and it’s happening more often as the U.S. economy slows. In fact, a typical American will work for ten different companies, keep each job for about four years, and actually change his or her career three times before retiring. Companies understand this societal trend and won’t hold the RIF against you. 5. What’s the best way to seek employment in the private sector? It is estimated that only a third of the available job openings will be advertised in any given year. The other two-thirds constitute what has been called the "hidden job market." To get into this hidden market, you need to practice a technique called networking. Networking in its simplest form means talking to everyone you know and meet about your job search. 6. How do unemployment benefits work? How long will I be eligible to receive unemployment benefits? Where do I apply for unemployment benefits? Your unemployment benefits depend on how steadily you worked during the past year and how much you earned. There are maximum weekly benefits, and you need to contact your local Employment Security Commission office for more specific information about these benefits. 7. What about health insurance? You should talk with a counselor of the Employee Insurance Program in order to make the best long-range plans for your health insurance. Contact the Employee Insurance Program at 803-734-0678. 8. What happens to my retirement? You should talk with a counselor of the Retirement System in order to make the best long-range plans for your retirement account. Contact Retirement Systems 803-737-6800 9. What happens to my annual leave? When you leave state employment, you will be paid for the leave you have accrued up to a maximum of 45 days. Your agency’s Human Resources office can provide you with more details about your leave. 10. Other than the newspaper, where can I find out about job opportunities? Some other sources include: friends, relatives, private employers, Employment Security Commission offices, Federal and local government personnel offices, local libraries, private employment and temporary agencies, community colleges and trade schools, community organizations, churches, veteran’s placement centers, unions, trade journals and associations, the Internet, job fairs, radio, and television. We suggest you work with the State Career Center and your local Employment Security Commission office to target the sources that might be most productive for you. 11. What about the money I have invested in the Deferred Compensation Program? You should contact the Deferred Compensation Commission at 803-734-9700 or 1-800-922-1380 to make the best plans for this money. You may also visit their website at https://scrs.csplans.com/csportal/welcome.do. 12. I need legal assistance. Can you tell me where I can go for free advice? The South Carolina Bar Pro Bono Program provides free legal help for eligible clients and may be able to assist you. The number is 1-800-922-2730. 13. My skills aren’t very current. Where can I go to get more training? Your local Employment Security Commission office can provide you with information about current training opportunities that may be available. Other sources include any of the universities and colleges within South Carolina as well as some of the adult education programs offered at some high schools. 14. How am I going to pay all my bills? The first thing you should do is go to the nearest Employment Security Commission office and apply for unemployment benefits. Give them a call before you go and ask what documents you need to bring. The next thing you should do is to review your budget and see where you stand financially. List your savings and other income, and compare this to your anticipated monthly expenses. If you don’t have enough money to make ends meet, you’ll have to start cutting expenses, find additional income or get your creditors to reduce your payments. If you want to have a confidential chat with an expert about your financial obligations, call 1-800-388-2227. That number will connect you to the National Foundation for Consumer Credit. They will give you the address and phone for the Consumer Credit Counseling Service in your area. Alternatively, you might want to check out the Family Support Center website (http://www.fsconline.org/) for additional information about consumer credit counseling in South Carolina. 15. How long will it take me to find a new job? There are many factors that will affect how long it takes you to find a new job. The amount of opportunity in your area, the amount of time you devote to finding a job, your salary needs, and the number of job seekers are just a few of these factors. As a rule of thumb, it takes a month of full-time job hunting for every $10,000 you want in salary. That means that if you want a $25,000 a year job, it will probably take you two and a half months to find and win a new job.
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| THE LANGUAGE USED IN THIS DOCUMENT DOES NOT CREATE AN EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT BETWEEN THE EMPLOYEE AND THE AGENCY. THIS DOCUMENT DOES NOT CREATE ANY CONTRACTUAL RIGHTS OR ENTITLEMENTS. THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REVISE THE CONTENT OF THIS DOCUMENT, IN WHOLE OR IN PART. NO PROMISES OR ASSURANCES, WHETHER WRITTEN OR ORAL, WHICH ARE CONTRARY TO OR INCONSISTENT WITH THE TERMS OF THIS PARAGRAPH CREATE ANY CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT. |