(a) In accordance with rules and regulations adopted therefor, an appointing authority, with the approval of the secretary of administration, may lay off an employee in the classified service whenever the appointing authority deems it necessary by reason of shortage of work or funds, the return of an employee from authorized leave, or the abolition of a position or other material change in duties or organization.
The type of appointment, length of service and performance evaluations of employees shall be considered, in such manner as the rules and regulations shall provide, among the factors in determining the order of layoffs.