Knutzen v. Department of Insurance & Finance

The Department of Insurance and Finance (DIF)1 petitions for review of an Employment Relations Board (ERB) order that set aside DIF’s removal of an employee from the management service. We reverse and remand.

Petitioner below, Loy Knutzen (petitioner), began working for a division of DIF in 1980. Three years later, he was appointed to a management service position. He remained in the management service although his specific job assignment changed. In 1992, the governor directed DIF to reduce its work force by 45 positions as part of a state-wide reduction. In late February or early March,…