Rehire Eligibility and Service Recognition

Purpose

It is the policy of [Company Name] to consider rehire of former employees who voluntarily left employment or were laid off due to business needs. This policy outlines the rules regarding eligibility for re-employment and bridging of service (service recognition), where appropriate.

Eligibility for Rehire

Employees who were part of an involuntary reduction in force, as well as those employees who voluntarily resigned, will be eligible for rehire if they had a satisfactory work record while employed by [Company Name].

Ineligibility for Rehire

Former employees who had a less-than-satisfactory work record will not be considered for rehire. This includes employees with a less-than-satisfactory rating on their most recent performance evaluation and/or employees who terminated employment with an unresolved performance improvement plan.

Employees who were involuntarily terminated by [Company Name] or were selected for layoff due to less-than-satisfactory work performance will not be considered for rehire.

Service Restoration Rules for Eligible Employees 

1. If a former employee with less than one year's prior service is rehired, the employee will be considered a new employee and will not be eligible for prior service recognition for seniority or benefit plan participation purposes.
   Example: Jane is hired on June 3, 2017, and voluntarily resigns on January 5, 2018. Jane is rehired on April 23, 2018. Because Jane did not complete one full year of service prior to rehire, she is treated as a new employee and will not be credited with any prior service.
2. If a former employee with more than one year's prior service is rehired, the employee's seniority and eligibility to participate in company benefits plans will be bridged if the employee is rehired and the period of prior company service exceeded the duration of the period of absence. Service recognition will include prior service recognition for accrued leave plans.
   Example: Marcus is hired on September 3, 2008, and is involuntarily laid off on March 12, 2016. Marcus is rehired on October 15, 2018. Because Marcus' prior service is longer than his period of absence, Marcus is credited with his previous seven years and six months of service.
3. If a former employee with more than one year's prior service is rehired and the duration of the period of absence exceeded the period of prior company service, the employee will be considered a new employee and will not be eligible for prior service recognition for seniority or benefits plan participation purposes.
   Example: Angel is hired on December 9, 2015, and is involuntarily laid off on March 12, 2016. Angel is rehired on October 15, 2018.  Because Angel's prior service is less than her period of absence, she will be treated as a new employee and will not be credited with any prior service.

Rehire Service Date Adjustment

When recognition of prior service is granted, a rehired employee's company service date will be adjusted in accordance with the service restoration rule.
Example: Marcus is rehired on October 15, 2018, and is credited with seven years and six months of prior service. Marcus' adjusted hire date is May 15, 2011.