N.J.A.C. 4A:8-1.1 General
N.J.A.C. 4A:8-1.1, General. An appointing authority may institute layoff actions for economy, efficiency, or other related reasons. 1. Demotions for economy, efficiency, or other relat Full text with 7 recorded amendments, 110 citing decisions.
Current through New Jersey Register, Vol. 58 No. 14, July 20, 2026. Reviewed as of July 26, 2026.
This is an annotated mirror, not the official publication. Verify against the Civil Service Commission before relying on it.
In plain language
A demotion counts as a layoff. Where an appointing authority demotes someone for economy, efficiency or other related reasons, that is a layoff action and every requirement of this chapter applies to it, including the 45-day notice and the appeal routes. Those three reasons are also the only grounds this section gives for a layoff in the first place. The rights are not the appointing authority's to work out. The Chairperson or designee determines seniority and designates lateral, demotional and special reemployment rights for all career service titles before the layoff takes effect, and that information has to be provided to the affected parties. One absolute bar closes the section: an employee on a military leave of absence for active service in the Armed Forces in time of war or emergency cannot be subject to any layoff action at any time.
Written by the NJ Civil Service Navigator editorial team from the text of N.J.A.C. 4A:8-1.1. It is a description of the rule, not the rule itself, and not legal advice.
(a) An appointing authority may institute layoff actions for economy, efficiency, or other related reasons. #
1. Demotions for economy, efficiency, or other related reasons shall be considered layoff actions and shall be subject to the requirements of this chapter. #
(b) The Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission or designee shall determine seniority (see N.J.A.C. 4A:8-2.4), and shall designate lateral, demotional, and special reemployment rights for all career service titles prior to the effective date of the layoff and have such information provided to affected parties. #
(c) At no time shall any employee be subject to any layoff action if the employee is on a military leave of absence for active service in the Armed Forces of the United States in time of war or emergency. #
Amendment history
Rule numbers, effective dates and New Jersey Register citations as published. 7 recorded changes.
- AmendedR.2019 d.07251 N.J.R. 191(b); 51 N.J.R. 1115(a)
- AmendedR.2014 d.09945 N.J.R. 500(a); 46 N.J.R. 1331(c)
- AdoptedR.2009 d.20641 N.J.R. 1535(a); 41 N.J.R. 2459(a)
- Emergency adoptionR.2009 d.13341 N.J.R. 1535(a)
- AmendedR.2003 d.30435 N.J.R. 345(a); 35 N.J.R. 3551(b)
- AmendedR.2000 d.1231 N.J.R. 2827(a); 32 N.J.R. 39(a)
- AmendedR.1995 d.25127 N.J.R. 612(a); 27 N.J.R. 1967(b)
How this rule has been applied
110 decisions have cited N.J.A.C. 4A:8-1.1. The list below is citations to those decisions, not the decisions. We have not written summaries for this section. A citation with no summary is deliberate: we do not paraphrase a decision we have not read. Nothing here is legal advice.
New Jersey Supreme Court (3)
- 63 N.J. 535; 310 A.2d 4571973
- 135 N.J. 466; 640 A.2d 848
- 89 N.J. 433; 446 A.2d 158
Appellate Division (2)
- Newark v. Copeland171 N.J.Super. 571; 410 A.2d 274
- Department of Civil Service v. Newark131 N.J. Super. 275; 329 A.2d 572; 1974 N.J. Super. LEXIS 468
Superior Court (2)
- State v. Communications Workers of America, AFL-CIO285 N.J.Super. 541; 667 A.2d 1070
- Novak v. Camden County Health Services Center Bd. of Managers255 N.J.Super. 93; 604 A.2d 649
Civil Service Commission final determinations (88)
- In re Downing, Irvington Housing Auth., CSC Docket No. 2023-14922023 N.J. CSC LEXIS 201Docket 2023-1492
- In re Alberto, et al. Bergen Cnty. Sheriff's Office2021 N.J. CSC LEXIS 294Docket CSV 14062-17
- In re Union Cnty. Layoff, CSC Docket Nos. 2021-1676 and 2021-1831 (Consolidated)2021 N.J. CSC LEXIS 263Docket 2021-1676 and 2021-1831
- In re Boeren, et al., Sussex Cnty. Sheriff's Office, CSC Docket Nos. 2020-1321, et al. (Consolidated)2020 N.J. CSC LEXIS 925Docket 2020-1321
- In re Hart, Newark, CSC Docket No. 2015-30562017 N.J. CSC LEXIS 109Docket 2015-3056
- In re Gregory-Hunt, City of Paterson, Dep't of Cmty. Dev., CSC DKT. NO. 2016-23722017 N.J. CSC LEXIS 50
- In re Costella, et al., Newark Housing Auth., CSC DKT. NO. 2010-40052015 N.J. CSC LEXIS 48
- In re Batra Morris Cnty., Dep't of Admin., CSC DKT. NO. 2015-19262015 N.J. CSC LEXIS 389
- In re Monahan, Dep't of Human Servs., CSC Dkt. No. 2014-30102014 N.J. CSC LEXIS 826
- In re Twp. of Sparta 2010 Layoffs, Patricia Lehman, CSC DKT. NO. 2009-5292014 N.J. CSC LEXIS 467
- In re Elijah Arce, Sandra Currias, Wilma Austin, Thomasina Anderson, Corey Adams, June George, Ruthie Bray, Newark Public Schs. 2012 Layoffs2014 N.J. CSC LEXIS 405Docket CSV 14873-12
- In re Murray, et al., City of Jersey City Layoffs, CSC DKT. NO. 2011-49412013 N.J. CSC LEXIS 1203Docket CSV 7877-11
- In re Albert Franchetta, Vineland Sch. Distr., CSC Docket No. 2012-26962013 N.J. CSC LEXIS 266Docket 2012-2696
- Clark v. City of Paterson6 N.J.A.R. 251980
- Tyler et al. v. City of Paterson2 N.J.A.R. 2721979
- In re City of Orange Layoffs Appeal97 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 639
- DiMarco v. Borough of Highlands, Department of Building and Grounds97 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 599
- Henry, Kennedy and Wise v. Cape May County97 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 147
- Conklin and Ollearo v. Township of Milford96 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 755
- Orsati, et al. v. Department of Human Services96 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 743
- Cable, et al. v. Department of Human Services, Central Office96 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 713
- Ambrass, et al. v. Department of Human Services96 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 696
- In the Matter of the Layoffs of Guzman, et al.96 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 625
- In the Matter of Donna Marrinan, et al.96 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 557
- Cully, et al. v. Department of Human Services96 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 547
- Barker, et al. v. Department of Human Services96 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 539
- In the Matter of the City of Newark Layoffs96 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 361
- Billings v. City of Perth Amboy96 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 314
- Peters v. City of Orange96 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 227
- Stagliano v. Camden County96 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 215
- Bowring v. State Department of the Public Advocate96 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 44
- Bhanja v. Department of Personnel96 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 41
- Chepiga v. Mental Health and Hospitals95 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 630
- Dowling v. State Operated School District95 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 603
- Sowa v. Commerce and Economic Development95 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 589
- Hansell v. Department of Human Services95 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 575
- Barnes v. Camden County95 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 471
- Jacobson v. New Jersey Public Defender95 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 342
- Caggiano v. Township of Sparta95 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 211
- Matter of State Department of Corrections 1992 Layoffs95 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 63
- In the Matter of State Dept. Of Corrections 1992 Employee Layoffs95 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 63
- In the Matter of the State Dept. Of Health 1993 F.Y. Layoffs95 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 45
- Matter of State Department of Health 1993 Layoffs95 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 45
- Edwards v. Department of Community Affairs95 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 29
- De Prima v. Department of Administration and Finance95 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 20
- DePrima v. Department of Administration and Finance95 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 20
- Gordon v. Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs95 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 6
- Gordon v. Department of Military and Veterans Affairs95 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 6
- Adewusi v. Atlantic County Department of Administration95 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 5
- Adewusi v. Atlantic County95 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 3
- Privitera v. Treasury Department94 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 693
- Meybohm v. Treasury Department94 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 665
- In the Matter of the Essex County Layoffs94 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 601
- Aiello v. Township of Brick93 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 719
- Acchitelli v. Department of Environmental Protection and Energy93 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 716
- Winslow Township Police Department Communications Operators v. Winslow Township93 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 713
- LaMorte v. Ocean County Department of Consumer Protection93 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 669
- Vida v. Jersey City State College93 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 594
- Barcheski v. Perth Amboy Department of Public Works93 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 565
- In the Matter of Atlantic City Layoffs93 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 533
- Murphy v. Lacey Township Police Department93 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 487
- Wright v. Department of Human Services93 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 374
- Department of Personnel Employees v. Department of Personnel93 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 328
- Thomas v. Bergen Pines County Hospital93 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 316
- Rudolph v. Egg Harbor City Utility Department93 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 313
- Dobiles v. Union County93 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 274
- Sholty v. Bloomfield Township Department of Community Development and Inspections93 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 221
- Wudecki v. Fair Lawn Department of Engineering93 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 164
- Field Monitors v. Division of Motor Vehicles93 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 103
- Towns v. Carteret Borough Sewage Disposal Plant93 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 99
- Chadwick v. Township of Lakewood93 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 61
- Cope v. Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills93 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 6
- In the Matter of Bergen County Layoffs92 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 761
- Jones v. New Jersey Board of Regulatory Commissioners92 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 743
- Boker v. City of Long Branch92 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 661
- Johnston v. Camden County92 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 617
- Gaines et al. v. Vineland Developmental Center92 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 516
- Exter v. Dept. of Commerce & Economic Development92 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 514
- Frizino v. Department of Human Services92 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 428
- Moore v. Township of Middletown92 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 420
- Sparany v. Brick Township School District92 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 396
- Glab v. Borough of Belmar92 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 377
- Baldwin v. Department of Financial Management, Ocean City92 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 367
- Dimaria v. Department of Human Services92 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 238
- Davis v. Department of Central Services, Camden County92 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 190
- Wooten v. Hillside Police Dept.92 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 176
- Loughrey v. McCorkle Training School92 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 13
- Freeman v. City of East Orange91 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 7
Office of Administrative Law initial decisions (14)
- In re Gregory-Hunt, City of Paterson, Dep't of Cmty. Dev.2016 N.J. AGEN LEXIS 1227Docket CSV 01736-16
- Mulcahy et al v. City of Bayonne, Muni. Servs.2016 N.J. AGEN LEXIS 933Docket CSV 13798-15
- 2015 N.J. AGEN LEXIS 490Docket CSV 04096-11
- In re Norcross, Twp. of Winslow, Dep't of Pub. Safety2015 N.J. AGEN LEXIS 492Docket CSV 6343-14
- In re Batra, Morris Cty. Dep't of Admin.Docket CSV 00532-15
- In re Hendrickson, Jr., et al, Vernon Twp., Dep't of Public Safety2014 N.J. AGEN LEXIS 474Docket CSV 4683-13
- Twp. of Sparta, Layoffs 2010 (Lehman), v. Twp. of Sparta, Dep't of Pub. Works2014 N.J. AGEN LEXIS 170Docket CSV 00239-11
- In re Elijah Arce, Sandra Currias, Wilma Austin, Thomasina Anderson, Corey Adams, June George, Ruthie Bray, Newark Public Schools 2012 Layoffs2014 N.J. AGEN LEXIS 142Docket CSV 14873-12
- In re Newark Housing Authority Layoff--20102014 N.J. AGEN Lexis 31
- In re City of Trenton Layoffs, Dep't of Admin. & Fin.2014 N.J. AGEN LEXIS 70Docket CSV 876-11
- In re Cathcart, Borough of Beach Haven2010 N.J. AGEN LEXIS 1027Docket CSV 06387-07
- In re Garcia2008 N.J. AGEN LEXIS 595Docket CSV 11932-07
- In re Cotton2007 N.J. AGEN LEXIS 1034Docket CSV 10458-06
- In re Charles Murray, Kirkland Williams, and Kamei Harris, Jersey City Layoffs2013 N.J. AGEN LEXIS 296
Other decisions (1)
- Borough of Keyport v. Int'l Union of Operating Eng'rs, Local 682015 N.J. LEXIS 7902015