Change in RIF Procedures Proposed

OPM has proposed a change in the procedures used to create "competitive areas" during reductions in force, which are used to define which positions could be affected by job cuts. The proposed rules, published in the April 15 Federal Register, would allow an agency to create a competitive area that includes only positions covered under pay banding, or only positions not covered, if the competitive area otherwise would include a mix of both. Similar changes would apply to determining competitive levels. OPM said the changes are needed because agencies are increasingly using pay banding and the existing RIF regulations can create inconsistencies in how employees are treated in a RIF depending on whether they are under pay banding or not. For example, it said, a RIF competitive level for GS employees includes only positions having the same grade or classification series, but a pay band contains multiple grades and classification series.