Despite the fears of employees early in the state's budget crisis, actual layoffs have been almost non-existent.
According to acting Personnel Director Shelley Blotter, only nine state employees have lost their jobs due to budget cuts. That is out of a total of 19,156 full-time, permanent state positions.
Blotter said to the best of her knowledge, some of those nine individuals have since found a position with another agency.
She said there may be other people who have lost their state job but the paperwork hasn't yet arrived in the personnel department. She doubted, however, that the number would be significant.
Director of Corrections Howard Skolnik said earlier this week he had three layoffs in nursing positions in Southern Nevada. Only one of those showed on Blotter's list.
But Skolnik said given the demand for nurses in Southern Nevada, he doubts those individuals would be out of work long.
Blotter said she and her staff haven't gotten any calls or inquiries indicating employees are worried about their jobs.
"I think they see now that most of it is being handled through attrition," she said. "As vacancies occur, they aren't being filled."
According to the budget office, the state is holding 3,781 positions vacant at this time. Director of Administration Andrew Clinger said that is the primary method agencies are using to make budget reductions. Clinger said a majority of those posts will be eliminated this coming budget cycle.
He said in some cases, agencies have had positions on the books for a year or more without filling them - effectively proving that position isn't necessary.
Blotter said those who lose jobs due to layoffs are first on the list to be hired if there is a vacancy they qualify for.
Altogether, there are 23,850 state positions in Nevada. That includes not only full-time, permanent workers but more than 500 board members, just under 100 elected officials plus seasonal and temporary workers.
• Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.