What criteria do deputy heads use when determining who is to be declared surplus? Does seniority apply when deputy heads decide who should be laid off?

Seniority may be a relevant consideration however it is up to the deputy heads to establish the criteria being used.

Article 34 of the collective agreement requires the employer to make every reasonable effort to ensure that any reduction in the work force is accomplished through attrition.

For information on the merit criteria used, please refer to the Public Service Commission´s Guidance Series: Selecting Employees for Retention or Layoff.