Joyce Livering may soon be out of a job, but she won't be taking advantage of the programs the University's Hershey Medical Center is offering.

With upcoming layoffs in May, up to 50 employees will be hitting the pavement and the center will provide emotional-support workshops and on-campus office space to help make the transition easier.

There will be a two- to three-day workshop on developing resume skills and support groups sponsored by Mazzitti and Sullivan, a counseling service, said Steve Bortner, manager of public information. The center will also open a Career Continuation Center to provide telephones and computers "in support of their job search," he said.

"We hope (these resources) will help them cope with being temporarily unemployed," Bortner said.

Livering, an environmental health worker, said the support programs are wasting money the center should be saving.

"I have to wonder how they're saving money," she said.

The layoffs are a result of cuts suggested by the University Future Committee and the center's desire to become more efficient and competitive.

Employees centerwide will be hit by the layoffs -- no one sector has been targeted, Bortner said.

"At this point, it's basically happening across the board, at all levels," he said.

Employees will still receive health and education benefits for 120 days. They will also receive paid vacation and service time, be eligible for unemployment benefits and have recall rights for up to two years, he said.

Although the center is providing these services, Regina Lebo, secretary in opthalmology, will not use them if laid off. But she thinks the support programs are needed.

"I think they should do something to help the employees, and I'm sure people will benefit from it," she said. "I would probably not attend if I was laid off because I would do all that stuff at home."

Some employees not being laid off may experience bumping from other employees with more seniority.

Bumping occurs when a senior employee is targeted to be laid off. This employee can than take the job of someone with less seniority, as long as it is within the same job sector. Bumping can only occur if the person is qualified for the job under the staff position evaluation and compensation code, which provides job descriptions.

"We expect that there will be some bumping, but we don't expect a lot of it," Bortner said, adding that bumping is a way of compensating senior employees.

Medical center officials don't anticipate any additional layoffs in the future but will offer the programs for as long as necessary, Bortner said.

"We will continue providing support for as long as needed until employees are recalled or find new employment," he said.