New Suitability Rules Issued

OPM published in the April 15 Federal Register final rules on employment suitability. The regulations: authorize agencies to debar from employment for up to three years those found unsuitable, rather than the current one year; extend the suitability process to those applying for or who are in positions that can be non-competitively converted to the competitive service; provide additional procedural protections for those found unsuitable for federal employment; and clarify the scope of authority for MSPB to review actions taken under the regulations.