ADVANCE NOTICE ASSISTS EMPLOYEES AFFECTED BY DOWNSIZING

Washington, D.C. -- Federal employees who may lose their jobs due to a reduction-in-force (RIF) can get a six-month head start on finding other employment or in receiving job retraining and other placement assistance under rules announced by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management Director Jim King. The expanded assistance program will improve employment prospects of affected employees and minimize the adverse impact of job loss.

Under the new rules, agencies will be permitted to issue a "Certification of Expected Separation" to employees who are likely to be separated by a RIF within six months, and when employment opportunities in their current field are limited. The certification will qualify employees for advance registration in retraining and placement assistance programs, as well as for the opportunity to receive counseling, testing and support services.

Through the Job Training Partnership Act, the U.S. Department of Labor provides funding for various types of retraining and readjustment assistance to displaced workers, such as counseling, testing, placement assistance, and other support activities.

Employees who receive a Certificate of Expected Separation are eligible for assistance up to 180 days before scheduled termination. Employees also can register for placement assistance through an agency's Reemployment Priority List or OPM's Interagency Placement Program up to six months in advance.

OPM Director Jim King said, "The 'Certification of Expected Separation' is an early warning to employees who may be affected by downsizing. In effect, this will give the employee more time to register for assistance programs that will aid them in their job search."

An agency may issue a competing employee a Certificate of Expected Separation when the agency determines: (1) there is a good likelihood the employee will be separated by RIF; (2) employment opportunities in the same or similar position in the local commuting area are limited or nonexistent; (3) placement opportunities with the employee's own or other federal agencies in the local commuting area are limited or nonexistent; and (4) if eligible for optional retirement, the employee has not filed a retirement application or otherwise indicated in writing an intent to retire.

The Certification of Expected Separation is not a RIF notice. Agencies are still required to issue RIF notices at least 60 days prior to a RIF effective date (120 days for Department of Defense employees). The specific RIF notice will explain the reason for the action, employee retention rights and other relevant information about the action.

OPM published final regulations on the Certification of Expected Separation on January 11, 1995. Sample Certification of Expected letters may be downloaded from the RIF/Downsizing forum of OPM's Main Street electronic bulletin board on 202-606-4800.

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Web page created 2 December 1997