The Department of Energy has deferred the payment of all performance-based awards and discretionary pay adjustments for all employees department-wide because of an uncertain funding situation for fiscal 2007, according to a memo from chief human capital officer Jeff H. Pon.
It said that if current low-funding levels are extended that reductions or forced furloughs could result.
The likelihood of lost jobs or furloughs would increase in some offices if performance awards were paid out, and rather than dole out awards in some offices but not others management elected to delay all awards, the memo said.
It said the deferral does not apply to authorized within grade increases or the statutory general pay increase typically effective in January, adding that the pay increase does not apply to SES officials.
Further, the impact of the deferral on career ladder promotions remains at management’s discretion within each organization.
