MAY 28 1999
 

PERSONNEL BULLETIN NO. 751-1

SUBJECT: Discipline--Delegation

This Bulletin revises the Department's policy for delegating disciplinary authority by changing I A. and II A. Delegation of Authority to include "General Officers" instead of listing each Department of Agriculture Staff Office. This Bulletin supercedes Personnel Bulletin No. 751-1, dated April 20, 1999.

I. RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROPOSING SUSPENSION OR REMOVAL OF CAREER MEMBERS OF THE SENIOR EXECUTIVE SERVICE

A. Delegation of Authority. Suspensions of more than 14 days or removal from the civil service (adverse actions) against members of the Career Senior Executive Service (SES) under Subparts E and F of Part 752 of Title 5 Code of Federal Regulations may be proposed by Under Secretaries, Assistant Secretaries, and General Officers.

B. Documents to be sent to Office of Human Resources Management (OHRM). Send one copy of the notice of proposed action to the Director, Employee Relations and Development Division (ERDD), for approval prior to issuance to the employee. Also send a draft copy of the letter of reprimand to the Director, ERDD, for approval and final issuance by the Director or Deputy Director, OHRM or the agency.

C. Redelegation. Authority to propose adverse actions against SES members may be redelegated to levels of management that have demonstrated the experience or capability to make proposals.

D. Oral Reply Officer. On each proposed adverse action, the Director, OHRM may designate responsibility to receive the written or oral reply and to recommend a decision.

E. Decision. The Director, OHRM will issue a decision, including letters of reprimand, unless the Director has delegated to another person the authority to act as deciding official.

II. RESPONSIBILITY FOR TAKING DISCIPLINARY OR ADVERSE ACTION AGAINST CAREER EMPLOYEES AT GRADES GS/GM-15 (OR EQUIVALENT) OR BELOW

A.  Delegation of Authority. Authority to take disciplinary or adverse action against career employees at grades GS/GM-15 (or the equivalent) or below is delegated to Under Secretaries, Assistant Secretaries, and General Officers.

B.  Redelegation. Authority to take the disciplinary actions described in "II. A." above may be redelegated to levels of management that have demonstrated the experience or capability to decide upon and process the actions.

C.  Letters of reprimand. A letter of reprimand shall inform the employee that it will be filed in the employee's Official Personnel Folder (OPF) and shall be retained for a period of not more than two years. NOTE: Supervisory counseling letters and confirmations of oral warnings or admonition are not disciplinary actions and shall not be filed in employees OPF's.
 

Donna D. Beecher
Director
Office of Human Resources Management
 

INQUIRIES: Employee Relations and Development Division, Keith Prue,
                       (202) 690-3089, Room 47-W Jamie L. Whitten Building

DISTRIBUTION: All DPM Holders

BULLETIN EXPIRES: December 31, 2001