Some Agencies look at layoffs; attrition may limit job cuts

Only a handful of state agencies have submitted employee layoff plans for required state Civil Service approval, despite tight budget constraints and earlier talk of big employee job layoffs.

“I think some agencies are waiting until they get their official budget letter” detailing how they fared financially and personnel-wise, Civil Service Director Shannon Templet said.

So far, agencies have been asking for and receiving the OK to go forward with layoff-avoidance measures such as withholding merit pay raises, implementing job furloughs and offering employees eligible to retire an incentive to do so.

The Division of Administration reports that this fiscal year’s budget contains 1,335 fewer jobs.