Budgeting in a tough economy is a challenge for any City. With rising costs and declining revenues, the Virginia Beach FY10/11 budget required steep cuts for every department and the elimination of 170 positions. How do you retain the knowledge and expertise when there is the potential of losing these individuals? How do you help employees work through the loss of a job or career? How do you help those that retain their jobs but experience a sense of loss? How do you support the staff that has the responsibility to manage these issues?

The City of Virginia Beach has a Reduction-In-Force Policy (RIF) that includes three possible options: invoke lay-offs, utilize the Employee Transition Program (ETP), and/or utilize the Managing Attrition Program (MAP). The City has never resorted to layoffs; through use of the ETP and MAP all affected employees (exclusive of retirees and voluntary terminations) have been successfully placed in alternative positions.

In 2010 the City again utilized the Employee Transition Program (ETP) and the Managing Attrition Program (MAP) to retain employees whose positions were eliminated in the budget process. These programs are administered by the Human Resources Department and were first established in 1991. Recognizing that this year’s budget would significantly challenge the established transition program, elements of the program required refinement and the addition of new features. In particular, greater emphasis was placed on providing coping assistance to employees and supervisors. In support of these efforts, the Organization Development Office partnered with Human Resources to provide workshops for employees and supervisors who were impacted by the budget on how to manage the personal impact of change.