Florida Statutes

Fla. Stat. § 110.227 (2025)

Suspensions, dismissals, reductions in pay, demotions, layoffs, transfers, and grievances.

✓ 2025 Florida Statutes — current through the 2025 Regular Session

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110.227 Suspensions, dismissals, reductions in pay, demotions, layoffs, transfers, and grievances.—

(1) Any employee who has satisfactorily completed at least a 1-year probationary period in his or her current position may be suspended or dismissed only for cause. Cause shall include, but is not limited to, poor performance, negligence, inefficiency or inability to perform assigned duties, insubordination, violation of the provisions of law or agency rules, conduct unbecoming a public employee, misconduct, habitual drug abuse, or conviction of any crime. The agency head shall ensure that all employees of the agency have reasonable access to the agency’s personnel manual.

(2)(a) The department shall establish rules and procedures for the suspension, reduction in pay, transfer, layoff, demotion, and dismissal of employees in the career service. Except with regard to law enforcement or correctional officers, firefighters, or professional health care providers, rules regarding layoff procedures shall not include any system whereby a career service employee with greater seniority has the option of selecting a different position not being eliminated, but either vacant or already occupied by an employee of less seniority, and taking that position, commonly referred to as “bumping.”

(b) For the implementation of layoffs as defined in s. 110.107, the department shall develop rules requiring retention of the agency’s employees based upon objective measures that give consideration to comparative merit, demonstrated skills, the employee’s experience, and the employee’s length of service. Such rules shall be approved by the Administration Commission before their adoption by the department.

(3)(a) With regard to law enforcement or correctional officers, firefighters, or professional health care providers, when a layoff becomes necessary, such layoff shall be conducted within the competitive area identified by the agency head and approved by the Department of Management Services. Such competitive area shall be established taking into consideration the similarity of work; the organizational unit, which may be by agency, department, division, bureau, or other organizational unit; and the commuting area for the work affected.

(b) With regard to law enforcement or correctional officers, firefighters, or professional health care providers, layoff procedures shall be developed to establish the relative merit and fitness of employees and shall include a formula for uniform application among all employees in the competitive area, taking into consideration the type of appointment, the length of service, and the evaluations of the employee’s performance within the last 5 years of employment.

(4) A grievance process shall be available to career service employees who have satisfactorily completed at least a 1-year probationary period in their current positions. A grievance is defined as the dissatisfaction that occurs when an employee believes that any condition affecting the employee is unjust, inequitable, or a hindrance to effective operation. Claims of discrimination and sexual harassment or claims related to suspensions, reductions in pay, demotions, and dismissals are not subject to the career service grievance process. The following procedures shall apply to any grievance filed pursuant to this subsection, except that all timeframes may be extended in writing by mutual agreement:

(a) Step One.—The employee may submit a signed, written grievance on a form provided by the agency to his or her supervisor within 14 calendar days following the occurrence of the event giving rise to the grievance. The supervisor must meet with the employee to discuss the grievance and provide a written response to the employee within 7 business days following receipt of the grievance.

(b) Step Two.—If the employee is dissatisfied with the response of his or her supervisor, the employee may submit the written grievance to the agency head or his or her designee within 7 business days following receipt of the supervisor’s written response. The agency head or his or her designee must meet with the employee to discuss the grievance within 5 business days following receipt of the grievance. The agency head or his or her designee must respond in writing to the employee within 5 business days following the meeting. The written decision of the agency head shall be the final authority for all grievances filed pursuant to this subsection. Such grievances may not be appealed beyond Step Two.

(5)(a) A career service employee who has satisfactorily completed at least a 1-year probationary period in his or her current position and who is subject to a suspension, reduction in pay, demotion, involuntary transfer of more than 50 miles by highway, or dismissal shall receive written notice of such action at least 10 days prior to the date such action is to be taken. Subsequent to such notice, and prior to the date the action is to be taken, the affected employee shall be given an opportunity to appear before the agency or official taking the action to answer orally and in writing the charges against him or her. The notice to the employee required by this paragraph may be delivered to the employee personally or may be sent by certified mail with return receipt requested. Such actions shall be appealable to the Public Employees Relations Commission as provided in subsection (6). Written notice of any such appeal shall be filed by the employee with the commission within 21 calendar days after the date on which the notice of suspension, reduction in pay, demotion, involuntary transfer of more than 50 miles by highway, or dismissal is received by the employee.

(b) In extraordinary situations such as when the retention of a career service employee who has satisfactorily completed at least a 1-year probationary period in his or her current position would result in damage to state property, would be detrimental to the best interest of the state, or would result in injury to the employee, a fellow employee, or some other person, such employee may be suspended or dismissed without 10 days’ prior notice, provided that written or oral notice of such action, evidence of the reasons therefor, and an opportunity to rebut the charges are furnished to the employee prior to such dismissal or suspension. Such notice may be delivered to the employee personally or may be sent by certified mail with return receipt requested. Agency compliance with the foregoing procedure requiring notice, evidence, and an opportunity for rebuttal must be substantiated. Any employee who is suspended or dismissed pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph may appeal to the Public Employees Relations Commission as provided in subsection (6). Written notice of any such appeal shall be filed with the commission by the employee within 21 days after the date on which the notice of suspension, reduction in pay, demotion, or dismissal is received by the employee.

(6) The following procedures shall apply to appeals filed pursuant to subsection (5) with the Public Employees Relations Commission, hereinafter referred to as the commission:

(a) The commission must conduct a hearing within 60 calendar days following the filing of a notice of appeal. No extension of time for the hearing may exceed 30 calendar days, absent exceptional circumstances, and no extension of time may be granted without the consent of all parties. Discovery may be granted only upon the showing of extraordinary circumstances. A party requesting discovery shall demonstrate a substantial need for the information requested and an inability to obtain relevant information by other means. Except where inconsistent with the requirements of this subsection, the provisions of s. 447.503(4) and (5) and chapter 120 apply to proceedings held pursuant to this subsection.

(b) A person may represent himself or herself in proceedings before the commission or may be represented by legal counsel or by any individual who qualifies as a representative pursuant to rules adopted by the commission.

(c) If the commission finds that cause did not exist for the agency action, the commission shall reverse the decision of the agency head and the employee shall be reinstated with or without back pay. If the commission finds that cause existed for the agency action, the commission shall affirm the decision of the agency head. The commission may not reduce the penalty imposed by the agency head, except in the case of law enforcement or correctional officers, firefighters, and professional health care providers, if the commission makes specific written findings of mitigation.

(d) A recommended order shall be issued by the hearing officer within 30 days following the hearing. Exceptions to the recommended order shall be filed within 15 days after the recommended order is issued. The final order shall be filed by the commission no later than 45 calendar days after the hearing or after the filing of exceptions or oral arguments if granted.

(e) Final orders issued by the commission pursuant to paragraph (d) shall be reviewable as provided in s. 447.504.

(7) Other than for law enforcement or correctional officers, firefighters, and professional health care providers, each suspension, dismissal, demotion, or reduction in pay must be reviewed without consideration of any other case or set of facts.

History.—s. 21, ch. 79-190; s. 3, ch. 81-169; s. 74, ch. 86-163; s. 7, ch. 90-196; s. 1, ch. 91-164; ss. 17, 21, ch. 91-431; s. 33, ch. 92-279; s. 55, ch. 92-326; s. 667, ch. 95-147; s. 17, ch. 96-399; s. 4, ch. 98-196; ss. 21, 22, ch. 2001-43; s. 11, ch. 2003-138; s. 1, ch. 2008-126; s. 13, ch. 2012-215.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 38 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1980–2025 · leading case: Florida Pub. Employees Council v. State, 921 So. 2d 676 (Fla. 1st DCA 2006).

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Florida Pub. Employees Council v. State, 921 So. 2d 676 (Fla. 1st DCA 2006). · cites it 12× “Thereafter, the state refused to arbitrate taking the position "that DOT laid off the toll collector employees in accordance with Section 110.227(2), Florida Statutes, which became effective on May 14, 2001 and superceded Rule 60K-17, F.”

McQuade v. Florida Dep't of Corr., 51 So. 3d 489 (Fla. 1st DCA 2010). · cites it 10× “Section 110.227 does not indicate that a career service appeal is a plenary review of agency action.”

Dep't of Admin. v. Nelson, 424 So. 2d 852 (Fla. 1st DCA 1982). · cites it 4× “," section 110.227(1); and DOA rules may not lawfully supplant Commission authority to reduce an agency dismissal to a suspension if the Commission thinks the infraction "did not justify the severity of the action taken" by the employing agency.”

Pesta v. Dep't of Corr., 63 So. 3d 788 (Fla. 1st DCA 2011). · cites it 9× “Pesta countered that, as a factual matter, DOC had no cause to dismiss her and that, even if DOC did not need eause to remove her as a cáptain (because she was still on probationary status as a captain), she was entitled, as a permanent career service employee, to other…”

Delong v. Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Comm'n, 145 So. 3d 123 (Fla. 3d DCA 2014). · cites it 7× “Pursuant to Section 110.227, Florida Statutes (2012), PERC has jurisdiction to hear appeals filed by permanent status career service employees.”

State Dept. of Gen. Serv. v. English, 534 So. 2d 726 (Fla. 1st DCA 1988). · cites it 4× “Following a disciplinary proceeding pursuant to section 110.227, Florida Statutes (1985), English was dismissed for "problem drinking or alcoholism after treatment proved unsuccessful.”

Randall B. Johnson v. Dep't of Corr., 191 So. 3d 965 (Fla. 1st DCA 2016). · cites it 6× “Chapter 120 applies to proceedings under section 110.227(5), Florida Statutes, including judicial review of such administrative action, §§ 110,227(6)(a), 447.”

King v. State of Florida, 650 F. Supp. 2d 1157 (N.D. Fla. 2009). · cites it 3× “Fla. Stat. § 110.227 (5)(a). Plaintiff also relies on Chapter 112 of the Florida Statutes generally as creating a statutory duty of care for failure to “protect employees through termination only for cause.”

Tony A. Wilson v. Lucy Farley, 203 F. App'x 239 (11th Cir. 2006). “Wilson also argues that the district court erred in finding that his dismissal was for just cause, as required under Fla. Stat. § 110.227 (1), (2), (5), but makes no explicit argument on appeal regarding the district court’s findings that the DCF presented a legitimate,…”

Tomlinson v. DHRS, 558 So. 2d 62 (Fla. 2d DCA 1990). · cites it 2× “" § 110.227(1), Fla. Stat. (1987). Thus, it would seem that DOA now can retain jurisdiction of administrative reviews only when the separation does not come within PERC's exclusive jurisdiction of dismissals under section 447.”

Jenkins v. State, Dept. of Health & Rehab. Servs., 618 So. 2d 749 (Fla. 1st DCA 1993). · cites it 2× “Cause shall include, but not be limited to, negligence, inefficiency or inability to perform assigned duties, insubordination, willful violation of the provisions of law or agency rules, conduct unbecoming a public employee, misconduct, habitual drug abuse, or conviction of any…”

Doyle v. Dep't of Bus., 713 So. 2d 1040 (Fla. 1st DCA 1998). · cites it 2× “Under section 110.227(1), Florida Statutes (1995), an employee who has permanent status in the career service may only be suspended or dismissed for cause.”

Show all 38 citing cases →

— 110.227(1) — 13 cases

Dep't of Admin. v. Nelson, 424 So. 2d 852 (Fla. 1st DCA 1982). “," section 110.227(1); and DOA rules may not lawfully supplant Commission authority to reduce an agency dismissal to a suspension if the Commission thinks the infraction "did not justify the severity of the action taken" by the employing agency.”

Tomlinson v. DHRS, 558 So. 2d 62 (Fla. 2d DCA 1990). “" § 110.227(1), Fla. Stat. (1987). Thus, it would seem that DOA now can retain jurisdiction of administrative reviews only when the separation does not come within PERC's exclusive jurisdiction of dismissals under section 447.”

Jenkins v. State, Dept. of Health & Rehab. Servs., 618 So. 2d 749 (Fla. 1st DCA 1993). “Cause shall include, but not be limited to, negligence, inefficiency or inability to perform assigned duties, insubordination, willful violation of the provisions of law or agency rules, conduct unbecoming a public employee, misconduct, habitual drug abuse, or conviction of any…”

Doyle v. Dep't of Bus., 713 So. 2d 1040 (Fla. 1st DCA 1998). “Under section 110.227(1), Florida Statutes (1995), an employee who has permanent status in the career service may only be suspended or dismissed for cause.”

Gilbert v. Dep't of Corr., 696 So. 2d 416 (Fla. 1st DCA 1997).

— 110.227(2) — 2 cases

Florida Pub. Employees Council v. State, 921 So. 2d 676 (Fla. 1st DCA 2006). “Thereafter, the state refused to arbitrate taking the position "that DOT laid off the toll collector employees in accordance with Section 110.227(2), Florida Statutes, which became effective on May 14, 2001 and superceded Rule 60K-17, F.”

Williams v. Dep't of Transp., 531 So. 2d 994 (Fla. 1st DCA 1988).

— 110.227(3) — 1 case

State, Dep't of Health & Rehabilitative Servs. v. Stackhouse, 629 So. 2d 268 (Fla. 2d DCA 1993).

— 110.227(3)(a) — 1 case

State, Dep't of Health & Rehabilitative Servs. v. Stackhouse, 629 So. 2d 268 (Fla. 2d DCA 1993).

— 110.227(4) — 2 cases

Dep't of Env't Prot. v. Barker, 654 So. 2d 594 (Fla. 1st DCA 1995).

Hadley v. Dep't of Admin., Career Serv. Comm'n, 392 So. 2d 1023 (Fla. 5th DCA 1981).

— 110.227(5) — 5 cases

Florida Dept. of Corr. v. Provin, 515 So. 2d 302 (Fla. 1st DCA 1987).

Delong v. Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Comm'n, 145 So. 3d 123 (Fla. 3d DCA 2014). “Pursuant to Section 110.227, Florida Statutes (2012), PERC has jurisdiction to hear appeals filed by permanent status career service employees.”

Randall B. Johnson v. Dep't of Corr., 191 So. 3d 965 (Fla. 1st DCA 2016). “Chapter 120 applies to proceedings under section 110.227(5), Florida Statutes, including judicial review of such administrative action, §§ 110,227(6)(a), 447.”

Whiting v. Florida Dept. of Law Enf't, 849 So. 2d 1149 (Fla. 5th DCA 2003).

Russell, Etc. v. Florida Dep't of Corr. (Fla. 1st DCA 2025).

— 110.227(5)(a) — 7 cases

Scherer v. Davis, 543 F. Supp. 4 (N.D. Fla. 1982).

Pesta v. Dep't of Corr., 63 So. 3d 788 (Fla. 1st DCA 2011). “Pesta countered that, as a factual matter, DOC had no cause to dismiss her and that, even if DOC did not need eause to remove her as a cáptain (because she was still on probationary status as a captain), she was entitled, as a permanent career service employee, to other…”

Dep't of Corr. v. Barry, 438 So. 2d 874 (Fla. 1st DCA 1983).

— 110.227(5)(b) — 2 cases

Moyer v. Florida Dep't of Transp., 130 So. 3d 283 (Fla. 1st DCA 2014).

— 110.227(6)(c) — 2 cases

McQuade v. Florida Dep't of Corr., 51 So. 3d 489 (Fla. 1st DCA 2010). “Section 110.227 does not indicate that a career service appeal is a plenary review of agency action.”

Smith v. Florida Dept. of Corr., 961 So. 2d 1050 (Fla. 1st DCA 2007).

— 110.227(6)(e) — 1 case

McQuade v. Florida Dep't of Corr., 51 So. 3d 489 (Fla. 1st DCA 2010). “Section 110.227 does not indicate that a career service appeal is a plenary review of agency action.”

— 110.227(8) — 1 case

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