Generally, time spent in an unclassified status does not count in computing seniority in the classified service. If a classified employee takes an unclassified position, that action is considered a break in service for seniority purposes. If an employee resigns from the classified service to take an unclassified position and subsequently returns to classified service, their seniority would start at the point that they returned to classified service.
If an unclassified employee is appointed to a classified position, then that person is treated as a new hire for seniority purposes and his/her seniority would start when he/she is appointed into the classified position.
There is one exception to this rule. If a classified employee requests and is granted a leave of absence to accept a position in unclassified service, the time in the unclassified position is not considered a break in service for seniority purposes. Such leaves can be granted for one-year periods, up to a maximum of four years.