The names of employees laid off shall be placed on re-employment eligible lists as hereinafter specified. Former employees appointed from a re-employment eligible list shall be restored all rights accrued prior to being laid off, such as sick leave, vacation credits and credit for years of service. However, such reemployed employees shall not be eligible for benefits for which they received compensation at the time of, or subsequent to, the date they were laid off.

The departmental reemployment eligible list for each class shall consist of employees and former employees with probationary or permanent status who were laid off or whose positions were reclassified downward. The rank order on such lists shall be determined by relative seniority as specified in section 15.2. Such lists shall take precedence over all other eligible lists in making certifications to the department in which the employee worked. The general reemployment eligible list for each class shall consist of employees and former employees with probationary or permanent status who were laid off or whose positions were reclassified downward. The rank order on such lists shall be determined by relative seniority. Such lists shall take precedence over all other eligible lists, except departmental reemployment eligible lists, in making certifications on a Countywide basis.

The provisions of this subsection 15.4 shall not apply to employees who have accepted severance pay upon termination of employment.