Working at CSU as a Unit 4 professional means showing up every day for students. We guide them from recruitment through graduation and beyond, often serving as the steady support behind their academic journey.
CSU is also a workplace, and like any workplace, situations can arise where an employee is notified of proposed disciplinary action.
When that occurs, there are established procedures the university must follow before serious discipline can move forward. One of those procedures is called a Skelly hearing.
Where the Skelly Hearing Comes From
The term “Skelly hearing” comes from a 1975 California Supreme Court case, Skelly v. State Personnel Board.
In that decision, the Court determined that permanent public employees must be given notice of proposed discipline and an opportunity to respond before that discipline can take effect.
This ruling established an important due process protection for public employees across California.
What Triggers a Skelly Hearing?
A Skelly hearing is required when the university proposes significant discipline that would affect your employment status or pay.
At CSU, this typically includes actions such as:
- Suspension
- Demotion
- Reduction in pay
- Dismissal
The hearing takes place after an employee receives a written notice of the proposed action, but before the discipline is implemented.
However, it is not required for routine feedback or minor corrective actions.
What Are Your Rights?
If an employee receives a notice of proposed discipline that triggers a Skelly hearing, they are entitled to specific procedural protections.
These include:
- Written notice of the proposed discipline
- Access to the materials the university is relying on
- An opportunity to respond before a final decision is made
- The right to union representation
These safeguards help ensure that serious disciplinary action is not imposed without proper process.
What Happens During the Hearing?
A Skelly hearing is typically conducted by a designated university representative who was not directly involved in the initial disciplinary decision. The meeting may include the employee, APC’s Labor Relations team, and members of CSU administration.
The purpose of the hearing is to give the employee an opportunity to respond to the proposed discipline. This may include clarifying facts, addressing inaccuracies, or providing additional context.
It is important to understand that a Skelly hearing is not a full evidentiary proceeding or arbitration. It is a pre-disciplinary step intended to ensure the employee has been heard before a final decision is made.
What Happens After the Hearing?
After the Skelly hearing, the university will review the information presented and issue a final decision regarding the proposed discipline.
If discipline is imposed, the process does not necessarily end there. APC may review the outcome to determine whether the action complies with the Collective Bargaining Agreement and established procedures.
If there are grounds to challenge CSU’s decision, APC can pursue the grievance process on behalf of the member. APC’s role continues beyond the hearing to ensure that members’ rights are protected at every stage.
Why This Matters to All APC Members
Skelly hearings are not just individual procedural steps. They are part of the due process protections that public employees have secured through collective bargaining.
Clear procedures matter because they protect employees from having discipline imposed without notice or an opportunity to respond.
Knowing how this process works helps everyone understand that this is a step in the process, not a predetermined outcome, and that APC stands with all their employees every step of the way.
These safeguards are in place because APC has negotiated and defended them.
If you ever receive notice of proposed discipline, contact your campus steward immediately. Early involvement matters, and APC is here to stand with you.
Get Connected
APC’s mission is to protect fair treatment, strengthen working conditions, and uphold clear contractual standards across the CSU.
Get to know your campus steward and stay informed about upcoming APC chapter meetings on your campus.