Some Other Personnel Changes Advance

Also approved by the panel was HR-4360, to require that an agency record any adverse findings from a resolved investigation in a separated employee’s official personnel file. The agency would have to make a permanent notation in the employee’s official personnel record if the employee resigns prior to the resolution of an investigation and such investigation results in an adverse finding. However, the committee set aside, if only temporarily, a bill (HR-4359) to provide that an employee may not be placed on administrative leave, also called excused absence, for more than 14 total days in a calendar year for reasons relating to conduct or performance. That was a response to reports from GAO and several agency IGs finding extensive use of that form of paid time off without charge to leave, in some cases to keep employees off the worksite for a year or more pending a disciplinary action. The administration last year had directed that agencies cut back on use of administrative leave in such situations but the bill’s provisions would be tighter. Meanwhile, the full House has approved HR-3231, to apply equal employment opportunity protections to interns working for federal agencies.