(1) At any hearing on appeal of a:

(a) Dismissal, suspension, demotion, or reduction in base salary, the employer has the burden of supporting the charges upon which the action was initiated; or

(b) Layoff or separation, the employer has the burden of supporting both the basis for the action taken and compliance with the civil service law(s) or rule(s) governing the action.

(2) At any other hearing, the party filing the appeal has the burden of proof.