MEMORANDUM FOR BUREAU PERSONNEL OFFICERS

FROM:        Joanne W. Simms
             Director, Personnel Staff
             Justice Management Division

SUBJECT:     Regulations on Back Pay, Holidays, Physicians'
             Comparability Allowances, and Retention Allowances

Attached for implementation and comment are interim Office of Personnel Management (OPM) regulations on back pay, holidays, and physicians’ comparability allowances (PCAs). The regulations were effective on December 28, 1999.

The interim regulations:

• clarify the statute of limitations on back pay claims;



• change the designation of holidays for certain employees working in foreign areas; and



• authorize agencies, with prior Office and Management and Budget approval, to increase the maximum PCA from $20,000 to $30,000 per year.

Please send your comments on the interim regulations, by February 21, 2000, to:

Paul A. Krumsiek
Assistant Director for Policy
Personnel Staff
Justice Management Division
National Place Building, Suite 1110
1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530

We have also attached for implementation final regulations on retention allowances. The final regulations, which will be effective on January 21, 2000, clarify that an agency may not offer a retention allowance as an incentive to an individual before he or she is actually employed with the agency. The regulations also clarify that the agency may require a minimum period of service before an employee may receive a group retention allowance. These regulations will not necessitate changes in the Human Resources Order chapter on retention allowances.

If members of your staff have any questions about these regulations, they may call John Cahill of the JMD Personnel Staff on (202) 514-6778.

Attachments

cc: Melinda Morgan, HRSAG