Who decides who gets fired and who gets kept in the Canadian public service?

OTTAWA — Amid planned cuts in the federal public service, the SERLO process — the system for selecting employees to be fired or retained — has drawn attention. Surveys have found the process has raised concerns about the potential for favouritism and pressure from superiors.

SERLO allows management to choose who will stay on the payroll if the number of positions is cut. It often uses a subjective “personal suitability” criterion, which unions say opens the door to biased decisions.

Officially, SERLO is administered by the Canadian Public Service Commission, and decisions are made by department and agency heads, with input from managers and HR. Team leaders can rate their own employees, increasing the risk of bias.

If five or more people in a department are to be cut, employers must first offer a voluntary, paid severance package — a critical step to avoid peer competition for jobs.

Unions have long called for changes to SERLO, proposing a more transparent system, such as seniority-based cuts. A similar process was used in the 2012-2014 layoffs, and many say it failed.

The planned layoffs will once again cause stress and anxiety for thousands of civil servants. It is important to know your rights, contact your unions, and keep an eye on their websites. A layoff letter does not mean you are fired — but it does require an understanding of what to do next.