[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 5, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2006]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 5CFR432.103]

[Page 334]
 
                    TITLE 5--ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL
 
                CHAPTER I--OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
 
PART 432_PERFORMANCE BASED REDUCTION IN GRADE AND REMOVAL ACTIONS--Table 
of Contents
 
Sec. 432.103  Definitions.

    For the purpose of this part--
    (a) Acceptable performance means performance that meets an 
employee's performance requirement(s) or standard(s) at a level of 
performance above ``unacceptable'' in the critical element(s) at issue.
    (b) Critical element means a work assignment or responsibility of 
such importance that unacceptable performance on the element would 
result in a determination that an employee's overall performance is 
unacceptable.
    (c) Current continuous employment means a period of employment or 
service immediately preceding an action under this part in the same or 
similar positions without a break in Federal civilian employment of a 
workday.
    (d) Opportunity to demonstrate acceptable performance means a 
reasonable chance for the employee whose performance has been determined 
to be unacceptable in one or more critical elements to demonstrate 
acceptable performance in the critical element(s) at issue.
    (e) Reduction in grade means the involuntary assignment of an 
employee to a position at a lower classification or job grading level.
    (f) Removal means the involuntary separation of an employee from 
employment with an agency.
    (g) Similar positions mean positions in which the duties performed 
are similar in nature and character and require substantially the same 
or similar qualifications, so that the imcumbents could be interchanged 
without significant training or undue interruption to the work.
    (h) Unacceptable performance means performance of an employee that 
fails to meet established performance standards in one or more critical 
elements of such employee's position.

[54 FR 26179, June 21, 1989, as amended at 54 FR 49076, Nov. 29, 1989; 
55 FR 25950, June 26, 1990; 57 FR 23045, June 1, 1992; 57 FR 60717, Dec. 
22, 1992; 58 FR 65534, Dec. 15, 1993; 60 FR 43946, Aug. 23, 1995]