Washington, D.C. 20530
July 20, 2001
MEMORANDUM FOR BUREAU PERSONNEL OFFICERS
FROM: Joanne W. Simms
SUBJECT: Extension of Bonus and Allowance Authority to Prevailing Rate (Wage) Positions
The attached Office of Personnel Management (OPM) final regulations authorize payment of recruitment and relocation bonuses, and retention allowances, to employees in prevailing rate (wage) system positions, effective immediately.
Chapters 2-5 and 2-6 of the Human Resources Order (DOJ 1200.1), provide that bonuses and allowances may be paid to "the employees listed in the CFR" (as well as to certain other specified categories of employees). Because this policy automatically incorporates any employee categories that are added to the regulations, effective immediately, components may pay recruitment and relocation bonuses, and retention allowances, to employees in prevailing rate (wage) positions, as defined in 5 U.S.C. 5342, in accordance with the applicable law, regulation, and Department order.
We plan to clarify the Human Resources Order by specifically stating that the authority to approve bonuses and allowances for prevailing rate (wage) positions has been delegated to the heads of Bureaus and certain other components. However, because compensation authority for prevailing rate (wage) positions has been delegated to Bureau heads in 28 CFR 0.138, and to Heads of Litigating Divisions and the Director of the National Drug Intelligence Center via various memoranda, these components may approve bonuses and allowances now. Other components must obtain the approval of the Assistant Attorney General for Administration.
If members of your staff have any questions about this topic, they may contact John Cahill, of the Personnel Staff's Policy Group, on (202) 514-6778.
cc: Melinda Morgan, JMD HRSAG
Page created July 20, 2001
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