This website was designed to provide current information about the budget process, the resulting reduction in workforce and available support and outplacement services.

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It is our intention to make this site a useful tool for all Maine State employees throughout this transition. If you have questions or suggestions (including other useful links) for this site, please forward them to the BHR-SOS Team.

Introduction & Purpose

Governor John Elias Baldacci has announced that there will be some layoffs of state workers as one strategy to address the budget deficit. Although the administration is committed to minimizing the number of layoffs, the impact will be felt throughout state government. Experts acknowledge that “without both a broad understanding and careful planning of the human side of change, new systems are quite likely to be less effective than planned, and possibly move the organization farther from, rather than closer to, its desired goals.”

An Augusta based team has been established to plan and coordinate services to address the extent and variety of interventions needed at every level of the workforce throughout the transition. Members of the team represent a variety of internal and external resources, as well as the agencies and geographic areas most impacted. This central team will work collaboratively with state agencies, service providers, and others to establish a comprehensive, integrated system of transition, supports and outplacement services. Services will be available to assist employees who are separating from state government as well as those remaining.

The preliminary goal of Support & Outplacement Services is to provide a comprehensive, integrated system of supports to all employees, managers and work units affected by the reduction in workforce; and to assist those who so desire to transition to alternative employment. The following objectives will guide the delivery of services:

• Every employee who receives a formal layoff notice will also receive information about available services in a written format. This will include information on the Maine Dept. of Labor Career Service Centers, Unemployment Insurance, community resources, workforce development opportunities, health and dental plans, retirement system options, and the Employee Assistance Program.
• Every affected employee will have the opportunity to receive current, up-to-date information from a senior manager within his or her department.
• Every employee who receives a lay-off notice will be eligible for assistance from BHR in identifying other suitable opportunities within Maine State Government. This assistance will supplement employees’ rights under bargaining contracts. Each state agency will be asked to cooperate fully in filling vacancies with qualified employees on lay-off status whenever possible., consistent with collective bargaining rights and civil service laws.
• Every employee who is laid off will have the opportunity to attend a career planning workshop for the purposes of: self-assessment, resume writing, completing job applications, interviewing, job search skills and career decision-making.
• Every employee who is laid off will be referred for skills training, education, and/or job placement services to the DOL Rapid Response representative nearest to where he/she resides.