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Home > About USPS & News > Forms & Publications > Postal Periodicals and Publications > Manuals > Employee and Labor Relations Manual - Issue 18 > Summary of Changes
Summary of Changes
The Employee and Labor Relations Manual, Issue 18, constitutes a revision
of ELM 17, including modifications to Chapters 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and the
appendix.
Specific Revisions
This section summarizes subchapter changes. The changes are organized
by section number and in the text of the manual by a revision bar. Language
has been added, changed, or rearranged to promote clarity. In addition,
language or sections have been deleted, sections have been renumbered,
and references have been changed accordingly.
Glover Settlement Agreement
Employee and Labor Relations (ELM) 113.4, 472.4, 473.22, 473.321,
473.322, 473.42, 474.4, 475.23, 475.32, 476.23, 476.33, 476.43, 546.141,
632, 721.2d, and 842.23 are revised to comply with Section V of the Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)-approved Settlement
Agreement in Glover v. Potter, EEOC No. 320-A2-8011X. A complete copy of
the Settlement Agreement is available on the Internet at
www.gloverclass.com.
These revisions, which are listed under the appropriate subchapters, reiterate
that persons in permanent rehabilitation positions have the same rights to
pursue promotional and advancement opportunities as other Postal Service
employees and that the Postal Service will not deny promotional or
advancement opportunities to persons in permanent rehabilitation positions
based upon their disability, if any, in violation of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973, as amended.
Chapter 1, Organizational Structures
Subchapter 110, General Information
113.4, Disabled and Disability, is added and subsequently revised to
comply with the Settlement Agreement in Glover v. Potter.
Chapter 3, Employment and Placement
Subchapter 340, Suitability, Selection, and Appointment
334.32, When Register Is Inadequate, is revised to replace "district
manager of Human Resources" with "Manager, Human Resources (District)."
343, Applicants Separated for Cause, is revised to replace "district
manager of Human Resources" with "Manager, Human Resources (District),"
"area manager of Human Resources" with "Manager, Human Resources
(Area)," and "vice president of Employee Resource Management" with "vice
president, Employee Resource Management."
344.5, Nonselection of a Veteran, is revised to clarify that selection is made
from a Hiring Worksheet.
349, Official Personnel Folder, is added to describe:
• The purpose and contents of a Postal Service employee's Official
Personnel Folder (OPF).
• What constitutes an "official record" in the OPF.
• The electronic OPF (eOPF) system.
Subchapter 350, Assignment, Reassignment, and Promotion
354.217, Definitions and Explanations, is revised at 354.217f(2)(b) to
reflect changes to the adjective ratings used in performance evaluations as
required by implementation of the Performance Evaluation System.
355, Light Duty Assignments, was mistakenly omitted from ELM 17 when it
was published in July 2002. It was reincorporated as of Postal Bulletin 22094
(2-6-03).
Subchapter 360, Other Personnel Actions
363.1, Definition, is revised to clarify that a break in service is usually not
given between noncareer appointment and career appointment.
363.2, Conversion to Career Appointment, is revised to change the title to
"Competitive and Noncompetitive Authority" and clarify when a conversion
from noncareer to career status occurs.
365.211, Definition of Resignation, is revised to change "employees may
be permitted" to "employees are permitted" to withdraw their resignation
request.
Chapter 4, Pay Administration
Chapter 4 contains extensive revisions. Subchapters 410, 420, 430, and 470
are completely revised.
Subchapter 410, Pay Administration Policy for Nonbargaining
Unit Employees
412, New Appointment, is revised throughout to:
• Reflect a policy change in how the supervisory differential adjustment
(SDA) rate is calculated.
• Update and simplify salary assignment information for newly appointed
career employees.
• Reflect changes in determining the SDA rate for executive
administrative schedule (EAS) employees.
413, Promotion to Nonbargaining Unit Positions, is revised throughout to
simplify the definition of promotion and reflect the revisions to 412.
414, Reassignment to Nonbargaining Unit Positions, is revised to change
the title to "Reassignment," reorganize throughout, and change "EAS A-E
Postmasters" to "A-E Postmasters."
415, Rate Retention and Change to Lower EAS Grade, is revised
throughout to update salary and assignment information, as follows:
• For employees during a reduction in force (RIF) who are:
• Eligible for veterans' preference and whose grade is saved.
• Assigned to lower grade positions with saved salary.
• Changed to lower grade using RIF avoidance procedures.
• Changed to lower grade using RIF procedures and:
• Not eligible for veterans' preference.
• Eligible for veterans' preference.
• For employees making non-RIF related changes to lower grades, for
example:
• Making voluntary change to a lower grade.
• Refusing a reasonable assignment to a higher grade during a rate
retention period.
• Being demoted to a lower grade for cause.
415.73, Same Relative Percentile Point, is deleted.
416, Merit Pay Program, is revised throughout to change the title to "Pay for
Performance Program" and replace "Merit Pay" policy with "Pay for
Performance" policy.
416.22, Association Officials, is revised to:
• Change the title to "Management Association Officials."
• Show that the annual pay-for-performance increase to the salary of
record for employees who are placed on leave without pay to devote
full-time service as elected national officers of a recognized
management association is equal to the National Performance
Assessment score.
417.234, Higher Level Pay Conditions, is revised to require only a 5-day
waiting period, reflecting the standardization of the higher level pay policy for
EAS employees.
418, Assignment to a Different Salary Schedule, is revised throughout to:
• Clarify how the table in exhibit 418.1 is used when personnel actions
are processed.
• Reflect the upgrade for electronic technicians from grade 11 to
grade 12.
• Add existing grade 26 to the EAS schedule.
• Update the occupational code of postmasters exempt from the Fair
Labor Standards Act (FLSA) from EAS-15 to EAS-16.
• Recognize the city letter carrier position upgrades necessitated by the
Fleischli Arbitration Award of September 19, 1999.
Exhibit 418.1, Equivalent Grades, is revised to add pay schedules for
attorneys and executives in the Postal Career Executive Service (PCES).
419.31, Definition, is revised to update the occupational code of postmasters
exempt from the FLSA from EAS-15 to EAS-16.
419.32, Salary Grades, is revised to add a new level 14 occupational code
for Postmaster Relief/Leave Replacements (PMRs), and describe the
characteristics of PMR positions more clearly.
Subchapter 420, Wage Administration Policy for Bargaining Unit
Employees
Subchapter 420 is recodified and formatted to include a broad structure and
numbering scheme to encompass all current salary schedules. Modified
throughout to:
• Recodify former 422 through 429 as new 422.1 through 422.9,
respectively.
• Add 422.2, Salary Schedules Covered by Specific Agreements.
• Reflect changes necessitated by the following:
• Reconstitution of the Tool and Die Shop bargaining unit, effective
January 31, 1997.
• Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), October 8, 1999,
between the Postal Service and the American Postal Workers
Union (APWU) resolving the "promotion pay anomaly."
(hereinafter referred to as the "1999 MOU").
• Collins Arbitration Award of April 26, 2000 (hereinafter referred to
as the "Collins Arbitration Award").
• Article 7.A.2 of the Agreement between the Postal Service and
the National Rural Letter Carriers' Association (NRLCA),
2000-2004.
• Goldberg Arbitration Award of December 18, 2001 (hereinafter
referred to as the "Goldberg Arbitration Award").
• Labor contract extension between the APWU and the Postal
Service, November 29, 2003.
• Agreement between the Fraternal Order of Police, National Labor
Council, USPS No. 2, and the Postal Service, November 18,
2004.
• Update the names of bargaining unit categories, schedule acronyms,
and grade ranges.
• Improve clarity and consistency.
• Change all references to (1) "area supply centers" to "material
distribution center," and (2) all references to the bargaining unit "Mail
Equipment Shops" to "Material Distribution Center."
• Change "salary" to "wage" when the compensation term is (1) preceded
by "basic or "setting" or (2) followed by "rate," "adjustment," "increase,"
or "level." (The changes are made to increase technical accuracy when
discussing an employee's compensation expressed as an hourly rate
rather than as an annualized salary equivalent.)
421.41, Appointments, is revised to add language to 421.41a to clarify that
a transfer to or from the rural carrier craft requires a new career appointment.
421.42, Assignments, is revised to add language to 421.42b(2) to clarify that
rural craft employees are paid based on route evaluated hours or route
mileage, and add language to 421.42c to clarify that the provision applies to
up to three positions.
421.44, Terms, is revised to add four new terms for clarity and completeness:
promotion in 421.44i, repromotion in 421.44j, interim promotion in 421.44k,
and reduction in grade in 421.44l.
421.45, Salary Increases, is revised to change the title to "Wage Increases"
and clarify the definition of step increase in 421.45b.
421.514, Termination, is revised to add language to 421.514c to clarify how
a protected rate is currently terminated under certain promotion
circumstances.
421.521, Explanation, is revised to add 421.521c to indicate that "saved
rate" applies to an employee who accepts a job offer based on limitations due
to an injury on duty.
421.524, Termination, is revised to add language to 421.524c that clarifies
how a saved rate is currently terminated under certain promotion
circumstances.
421.525, Effect on Promotion, is revised to clarify the impact of saved rate
special pay status on promotion actions.
421.7, Reference Table, is revised to:
• Change the title to "Rate Schedule Summary and References."
• Reflect labor contract extension between the APWU and the Postal
Service, November 29, 2003.
• Update the names of bargaining unit categories, schedule acronyms,
grade ranges, and references.
Exhibit 421.7, Reference Table, is completely revised and the title is
changed to "Rate Schedule Summary and References."
Exhibit 421.81, Higher Level Pay, is reserved pending further revisions
necessitated by the 1999 MOU.
Exhibit 421.82, Promotional Increases, is revised to
• Update the names of bargaining unit categories, schedule acronyms,
and grade ranges.
• Include revisions necessitated by the 1999 MOU.
422, Salary Schedules Covered by Specific Agreements, is added to
provide information about salary schedules for the following:
• Clerks, vehicle service drivers, Post Office™ maintenance service
employees, and vehicle maintenance employees.
• Mail Equipment Shops/Material Distribution Center (MESC) employees.
• Mail handlers, city carriers, and rural carriers.
• Postal nurses.
• Information Technology/Accounting Service Centers (IT/ASC)
employees.
• Operating Services Division, Headquarters, and Facilities Service
Section, Merrifield, VA, employees.
• Postal police officers.
• Tool and Die Shop employees.
422.111, Salary Schedules, is revised at 422.111b to show that the MESC
Schedule has 11 grades following the Goldberg Arbitration Award.
422.121, Career Appointment, is revised to:
• Modify 422.121a, Reinstatement, to conform to current practice.
• Add 422.121e, Hiring Into the Rural Carrier Craft, to explain current
practices more fully.
• Clarify at 422.121f the procedures for hiring into the Postal Service (PS)
Schedule and MESC Schedule 2.
422.123, Promotion Rules, is revised to:
• Include revisions necessitated by the 1999 MOU.
• Clarify at 422.123b(6) that the rule choice provision regarding wage
rules requires decisions regarding deviation from standard practice to
be made by the district Human Resources manager rather than by the
installation head.
• Conform to actual pay practices and maintain consistency with
422.144b.
• Delete the reference to temporary promotions and higher level
assignments from the list of exclusions in 422.123b(7).
Exhibit 422.123a, Promotion Chart - PS Schedule 1 to PS Schedule 2,
and Exhibit 422.123b, Promotion Chart - PS Schedule 2 to PS
Schedule 2, are added to:
• Include revisions necessitated by the 1999 MOU.
• Incorporate new APWU Grade 11 necessitated by the Goldberg
Arbitration Award.
422.124, Reassignment Rules, is revised to:
• Add 422.124d to clarify reassignments for PS and MESC employees.
• Change 422.124c(4) and 422.124d to properly describe calculation of
the next step date during voluntary reassignments to equivalent grades
in another bargaining unit.
422.125, Reductions in Grade, is revised at 422.125b to simplify the
bargaining unit salary determination rules used to process voluntary
reductions in grade.
Exhibit 422.13, Bargaining Unit Step Increase Waiting Periods, is added
and subsequently revised to:
• Add Step Q in the IT/ASC Schedule necessitated by the Collins
Arbitration Award.
• Reflect an agreement between the Fraternal Order of Police, National
Labor Council, USPS No. 2, and the Postal Service, November 18,
2004.
422.223, 422.323, 422.422, 422.523, 422.622, 422.723, 422.823, and
422.923 are revised to:
• Include material previously found in 422.123 and incorporated by
reference.
• Modified to include revisions necessitated by the 1999 MOU.
422.415, Employee Classifications, is revised at 422.415a to show both
regular and part-time flexible rural carriers.
422.421, Career Appointment, is revised at 422.421a(3) to include
reference to part-time flexible rural carriers as described further in the Rural
Carrier labor contract at Article 7.A.2.
422.9, Tool and Die Shop Schedule, previously reserved because of the
dissolution of the Tool and Die Shop as a bargaining unit, is published
because of the reconstitution of the Tool and Die Shop bargaining unit on
January 31, 1997. It incorporates provisions previously found in ELM 12 and
subsequent changes.
Subchapter 430, Basic and Special Pay Provisions
Subchapter 430 is revised throughout to show that the Postal Service pays
night shift differential to eligible bargaining unit employees who receive
administrative leave. This change was made pursuant to the national
arbitration award by Philip W. Parkinson, dated December 8, 2000, case
number J90M-1J-C-95047374. Additional changes include:
• Replace "guarantee" with "guaranteed."
• Restore substantive provisions affecting Sunday premium pay that
were in ELM 15 before the revisions of May 4, 2000.
432.462, Applicability, is revised to clarify the 5-minute leeway rule.
432.464, Special Cases, is revised to clarify application of the 5-minute
leeway rule to Sunday premium pay.
432.63, Pay Computation, is revised to remove the statement, "Also Sunday
premium is only paid for time actually worked."
Exhibit 434.2, Night Differential Pay Eligibility Table, is revised to add a
reference to the applicability of administrative leave to nonbargaining unit
employees.
434.221, Eligibility for Night Differential, is revised to add a statement to
clarify when bargaining unit employees on administrative leave are eligible to
receive night shift differential.
Exhibit 434.3, Sunday Premium Pay Eligibility Table, is revised to:
• Modernize names, abbreviations, and shorthand notations for
bargaining and nonbargaining unit rate schedules.
• Clarify the salary table handling of casual employees.
434.31, Policy, is revised to:
• Restore substantive content of ELM 15 in effect before May 4, 2000.
• Clarify policy regarding Sunday premium pay.
434.32, Eligibility, is revised to
• Restore substantive content of ELM 15 in effect before May 4, 2000.
• Clarify that only employees scheduled to work on a Sunday may
receive Sunday premium pay.
434.3, Sunday Premium Pay Eligibility Table, is revised to:
• Restore substantive content of ELM 15 in effect before May 4, 2000.
• Change the following:
• "C - MESC" to "C - Mail Equipment Shops/Material Distribution
Center employees (MESC-1)" and "CB - Mail Equipment
Shops/Material Distribution Center employees (MESC-2)".
• "N - Data Center" to "N - Information Technology/Accounting
Service Centers (IT/ASC)."
• "P - PS" to "P - Postal Service (PS-1)" and "PB - Postal Service
(PS-2)."
434.33, Leave, and 434.34, Pay Computation, are revised to restore
substantive content of ELM 15 in effect before May 4, 2000, and describe
conditions in which an employee on leave may receive Sunday premium pay.
434.4, Holiday Leave Pay, is revised throughout to:
• Improve clarity.
• Establish that eligible employees may elect to receive annual leave
instead of holiday leave pay.
• Comply with revisions in Article 11, sections 3 and 4 of the national
agreement between the American Postal Workers' Union (APWU),
pursuant to the Goldberg Interest Arbitration Award of December 18,
2001, and the Memorandum of Understanding between the Postal
Service and the APWU of January 29, 2002.
Exhibit 434.8, Pyramiding of Premiums, is revised to re-implement the
provisions of ELM 15 that allow payment of Sunday premium pay to eligible
employees who are on continuation of pay status, military leave, or court
leave.
436.2, Limitations, is revised to comply with the October 17, 1994, Merit
System Protection Board ruling that allowed protections for individuals
eligible for veterans' preference in employment.
436.43, Life Insurance Coverage, is deleted.
436.5, Life Insurance Coverage, is added to clarify how (a) employees who
are in nonpay status or separated, and (b) new employees hired due to
settlement or decision may obtain life insurance coverage or change in
existing coverage once they are returned to duty in a pay status following
reinstatement or accession.
436.5, Erroneous Separation for Retirement, and 436.51, Explanation, are
renumbered as 436.6 and 436.61, respectively.
436.52, Corrective Action, is renumbered as 436.62 and revised to show
that employees who separate for retirement erroneously and are restored to
service are compensated as if they had worked during the period of
erroneous separation rather than given the amount they would have received
in retirement payments.
436.6, Interest on Back Pay, is renumbered as 436.7.
436.61, Purpose, is renumbered as 436.71 and revised to clarify the general
obligation the Postal Service has in paying interest on back pay claims.
436.62, General, is renumbered as 436.72 and revised to:
• Change the title to "Availability of Interest."
• Clarify the circumstances in which the Postal Service is required to pay
interest on a back pay claim.
436.63, Rate of Interest, is renumbered as 436.72 and revised to:
• Change the title to "Determination of Rate of Interest."
• Reflect renumbering of exhibits 436.63a and 436.63b.
• Clarify how the Accounting Service Center (ASC) determines the rate of
interest to be paid on a back pay claim.
Exhibit 436.63a, Interest on Back Pay Decisions, is added and
subsequently revised to:
• Renumber as 436.73a.
• Clarify how the ASC determines the rate of interest for an adjustment
on a back pay award issued by a court, arbitration, or federal agency
decision.
Exhibit 436.63b, Interest on Back Pay Settlements, is added and
subsequently revised to:
• Renumber as 436.73b.
• Clarify how the ASC determines the rate of interest for an adjustment
on a back pay award issued by a court, arbitration, or federal agency
decision.
436.64, Responsibility, is renumbered as 436.74.
Subchapter 450, Collection of Postal Debts From Nonbargaining
Unit Employees
452.4, Collection of Amounts Due Under Federal Benefits Programs, is
revised to:
• Change the title to "Exceptions to Procedures Found in Sections 452.2
and 452.3."
• Incorporate the statutory provision in section 31001(h) of the Debt
Collection Improvement Act of 1996, codified at 5 United States Code
(U.S.C) section 5514(a)(3), that excludes certain routine intra-agency
adjustments of pay from the provisions of section 5514(a)(2).
Subchapter 470, Incentive Awards and Service Recognition
Subchapter 470 is revised throughout to:
• Change the title to "Recognition and Awards."
• Reflect that the fiscal year limit for Team Awards is $2,000.
• Clarify the definitions of Service Award, Informal Award, Formal Award,
and Special Award and identify the employee group eligible for each
award.
• Clarify the definitions of noncash award, cash equivalent award, and
cash award.
• Clarify the tax implications of awards.
• Revise the budget limit for all awards to one half of one percent
(0.005%) of the total end of fiscal year salary budget and directing that
administration of this budgeted amount be on a performance cluster
level.
• Revise the procedures for requesting 50-year service pins.
• Update sample letters of appreciation.
• Update the payment procedures for eAWARDS.
• Combine award categories, expand the pool of employees eligible, and
increase the maximum dollar value of cash and cash equivalent awards
that may be issued each fiscal year.
• Comply with the Settlement Agreement in Glover v. Potter.
• Combine award categories, expand the pool of eligible employees, and
increase the dollar value of cash and cash equivalent awards that may
be issued each fiscal year, as follows:
• Expand eligibility for Informal Awards (previously limited to
employees) to contractors.
• Expand eligibility for Spot Awards (previously limited to EAS and
PCES career employees) to all career employees and increase
the fiscal year award limit to $3,000.
• Expand eligibility for Team, Vice President, and Postmaster
General Awards (previously limited to EAS and PCES career
employees) to all career employees and maintaining the fiscal
year limits of $2,000, $5,000, and $10,000, respectively.
• Discontinue the use of the Special Achievement Award,
Meritorious Service Award, Distinguished Service Award,
Exceptional Performance Award, and Bargaining Unit Non-Cash
Tangible Award categories, previously subject to fiscal year limits
of $500, $2,000, $3,500, $7,500, and $500, respectively.
Exhibit 471.1, Service Recognition and Incentive Awards, is revised to
clarify that the fiscal year limit for the Team Award is $2,000.
475.341. Comparison to Regular Within-Grade Increases, is revised to
determine the step and next step date for a quality step increase (QSI)
action.
Chapter 5, Employee Benefits
Subchapter 510, Leave
512.21, General Policy, is revised to clarify that the policy in effect at the
time an employee enters a career appointment determines the employee's
annual leave category.
512.232, Service of an Employee Eligible for Military Retirement Annuity,
is revised to:
• Add 512.232a(4) to reflect the current practice of using the military
service years of employees who qualify for military retirement while
serving in current career appointments for computing their annual leave
category.
• Update 512.232c to provide Web site locations for SF 180, Request
Pertaining to Military Records, and SF 813, Verification of a Military
Retiree's Service in Nonwartime Campaigns or Expeditions.
Exhibit 512.232a, Wars, Campaigns, and Expeditions of the Armed
Forces Since 1937, is revised to:
• Renumber as Exhibit 512.232.
• Provide current information.
• Reformat for easier use.
Exhibits 512.232b and 512.23c, which contain facsimiles of SF 180 and SF
813, are deleted.
512.24, Service Not Counted, is revised to add "foreign national service" to
the types of service for which annual leave credit is not allowed.
512.512, Holidays, is revised to explain how full-time employees who have
elected to receive annual leave credit instead of holiday leave pay may
charge annual leave on a worked holiday.
512.633, Nonbargaining Unit Annual Leave Exchange, is revised to
provide a general statement regarding the exchange of annual leave for cash
rather than to indicate the exact number of hours allowed.
512.64, Annual Leave Sharing, is revised to show that instructions for the
administration of the terms and conditions of the annual leave sharing
program are found in MI EL-510-2003-2, Annual Leave Sharing Program.
512.65, Annual Leave Credit in Lieu of Holiday Leave Pay, is added to
show that eligible employees may substitute annual leave credit for holiday
leave pay and to indicate which leave may be charged to those employees
on a worked holiday.
512.73, Payment for Accumulated Leave, is revised to change the title to
"Lump Sum Terminal Leave Payment" and add 512.731 through 512.736.
512.731, General, is added to clarify the conditions under which separating
employees may receive lump sum terminal leave payments.
512.732, Entitlement Amounts, is added to:
• Clarify how entitlement amounts are determined for bargaining and
nonbargaining unit employees.
• Clarify the amounts to which employees may be entitled whether or not
they separate under the Voluntary Early Retirement Authority.
• Include the various kinds of leave that may be represented in the
terminal leave payment for nonbargaining and bargaining unit
employees.
512.733, Separation for Military Service, is added to clarify that employees
who separate to enter U.S. military duty may choose to receive a lump sum
leave payment or have their accrued annual leave balance held for credit
until they return to Postal Service duty.
512.734, Separation followed by Reemployment, is added to clarify the
rights and obligations of employees who receive a lump sum leave payment
and later are reemployed by the Postal Service.
512.735, Absence of Relationship to Annuity Payment, is added to
specify that the lump sum payment for annual leave at the time of retirement
does not affect the amount or commencement date of annuity payments.
512.736, Payment to Beneficiaries or Estates of Employees Who Die in
Service, is added to specify that the beneficiaries or estates of nonbargaining
unit employees who die in service receive the same terminal leave payments
that the employees would have received if they had separated while living.
513.1, Purpose, is revised to divide the text between new subsections
513.11 and 513.12.
513.11, Sick Leave for Employee Incapacitation, is added to include the
first sentence of former 513.1.
513.12, Sick Leave for Dependent Care, is added to include the remainder
of former 513.1 and clarify that If leave for dependent care is approved, but
the employee has already used the maximum 80 hours of sick leave
allowable, the difference is charged to annual leave or to LWOP at the
employee's option.
513.411, General, and 513.421 General, are revised to explain the charging
of sick leave on a worked holiday for full-time employees who have elected to
receive annual leave credit in lieu of holiday leave pay.
513.72, Reemployment, is revised to clarify that sick leave cannot be
recredited when an employee takes a new position that does not provide sick
leave.
514.1, Definitions, is revised to change the title to "Essential Features,"
define Leave Without Pay (LWOP), and clarify the conditions under which
salaried employees take LWOP.
Exhibit 514.4, Acceptable Reasons and Instructions for LWOP, is
revised to:
• Change Item d(1) to allow employees to request LWOP without first
exhausting sick and annual leave.
• Change Item i to explain the charging of LWOP on a worked holiday for
employees who have elected to receive annual leave credit instead of
holiday leave pay.
515, Absence for Family Care or Serious Health Condition of Employee,
is revised to change title to "Absence for Family Care or Illness of Employee."
515.5, Documentation, is revised and reorganized to:
• Clarify the types of documentation necessary for absences due to
FMLA-qualifying conditions in all or in particular cases.
• Add a reference to Form WH-380, Certification of Health Care Provider,
to document FMLA qualification of health conditions.
• Eliminate LWOP from the section on employee incapacitation, which
requires documentation only for paid leave, in accordance with
Department of Labor regulations.
515.52, Particular Circumstances, is added.
515.52, New Son or Daughter, is revised and renumbered as 515.521.
515.53, Care of Others for Medical Reasons, is renumbered as 515.522
and revised to add a reference to Form WH-380, Certification of Health Care
Provider, to document FLMA qualification of health conditions.
515.54, Additional Medical Opinions, is renumbered as 515.53 and revised
to clarify requirement to provide a third opinion by a health care provider.
515.55, Employee Incapacitation, is renumbered as 515.523 and revised to
clarify that documentation is not required for LWOP due to employee
incapacitation.
515.56, Return to Work After Employee Incapacitation, is renumbered as
515.524 and revised to clarify requirement for certification from a health care
provider when an employee returns to work after an absence for
incapacitation under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
516.41, General, is revised to change the policy regarding what payments a
juror may keep when on court leave.
517.41, General Allowance, is revised to allow the time that part-time
employees spend on LWOP due to active duty military service to earn credit
toward the 1,040 hours required each fiscal year to receive paid military
leave.
517.431, State or Jurisdiction Duty, is revised to clarify the circumstances
under which eligible employees are granted additional paid military leave
over and above the general allowance to perform military aid to enforce the
law in their state or jurisdiction.
517.542, Choice of Annual Leave or LWOP, is revised to change the title to
"Choice of Annual Leave, Sick Leave, or LWOP" and clarify requirements for
use of sick leave while on active duty military service.
519.21, Acts of God, and 519.22, Civil Disorders, were combined as
519.21, Acts of God and Civil Disorders, as of Postal Bulletin 22107
(7-24-03). This revision was revoked by Postal Bulletin 22115 (11-13-03).
519.4, National Day of Observance, is added to provide guidance for any
national day of observance that the postmaster general declares subsequent
to the declaration of a national day of observance by Executive Order of the
president of the United States. Policy applies to EAS, PCES, and other
employees not covered by union agreements concerning national days of
observance.
519.4, Medical Events, and 519.5, Special Events, are renumbered as
519.5 and 519.6, respectively.
519.7, Nonbargaining Unit Personal Absence, was mistakenly omitted
from ELM 17 when it was published; it is reincorporated as of Postal Bulletin
22085 (9-19-02).
519.72, Policy, is revised to clarify that absences due to conditions covered
by the FMLA are among those partial-day absences that may be requested.
519.732, Partial-Day Absences, is revised to emphasize that managers may
disapprove personal leave requests when necessary to carry out their
responsibilities to control work hours.
Subchapter 520, Health Benefits Program
Subchapter 520 is revised throughout to:
• Edit for consistency of presentation and conformance to Postal Service
editorial style.
• Substitute the PostalEASE Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB)
Worksheet for Standard Form (SF) 2809, Health Benefits Election Form
except when (1) the person is electing benefits is a family member
applying for temporary continuation of coverage (TCC) or a former
spouse seeking spouse equity, and (2) an employee is transferring to
another agency.
• Add references to the PostalEASE FEHB History Report and the
PostalEASE FEHB Worksheet.
• Replace references to the Social Security number with the employee
identification number where appropriate.
• Change references from "employing office," "Eagan Accounting
Services Center (ASC)," and "Eagan Retirement Branch" to "National
Finance Center (NFC)."
521.423, Foster Children, is revised to modify the note to indicate that a
sample certification form is found in exhibit 521.423.
Exhibit 521.43, Certification of Foster Children, is revised to elaborate on
the certification requirements in accordance with guidance from the Office of
Personnel Management (OPM).
521.613, Employing Office Responsibility, is revised to:
• Correct the title of SF 2809, Employee Health Benefits Election Form.
• Add the PostalEASE FEHB Worksheet.
521.621, Eligible for Coverage, is revised to indicate that RI 70-5, Guide to
Federal Employee Health Benefit Plans for TCC and Former Spouse
Enrollees, is sent to an eligible former spouse.
521.711, Eligible for Coverage, is revised to modify 521.711d to show that
former spouses awaiting approval or disapproval from OPM are among those
eligible for TCC.
523, Registration, is revised to change "register" to "enroll" and "registration"
to "enrollment" throughout.
523.2, Employee Declines to Register, is revised to change the title to
"Employee Declines to Enroll" and to substitute employee identification
number for Social Security number.
523.61, Registration Form, is revised to:
• Change the title to "Enrollment Form."
• Substitute employee identification number for Social Security number.
• Indicate that every SF 2809, Health Benefits Election Form, for a former
spouse is forwarded to the National Finance Center (NFC) rather than
to the Eagan Retirement Branch.
523.632, Contents of File, is revised to:
• Add PostalEASE FEHB Worksheet.
• Restructure text under 523.632f as items 1 through 6.
• Replace "payroll's" with "NFC."
523.634, Disposition of File, is revised to indicate that NFC maintains the
file and clarify the terms under which the personnel office maintains records.
524.529, Change to Self Only, is revised to elaborate on circumstances
considered "qualified life status changes."
524.531, Change in Marital Status, is revised to:
• Include common law marriage at 524.531a(1) under the criteria for
change in status.
• Clarify at item 524.531c the provisions for enrolling a new spouse.
524.62, Change to Self Only, is revised to clarify change to Self Only
depending on whether premiums are paid on a pretax basis or an after-tax
basis.
524.773, Application for Conversion, is revised to clarify the time frame
within which application for conversion can be made.
524.774, Late Conversion, is added to clarify the steps to be taken when an
application for conversion is late.
524.774, Effective Date of Conversion, and 524.775, Benefits and Costs
of Conversion Contract, are renumbered as 524.775 and 524.776,
respectively.
524.831, Tax Benefits, is revised to delete obsolete information indicating
that a pretax benefit is not available under FEHB.
524.832, Career Employees, is revised to add occurrence of a qualified life
status change as an opportunity for waiver of pretax basis for payment of
premiums.
524.833, Certain Noncareer and Transitional Employees, is revised to add
occurrence of a qualified life status change as an opportunity to elect
payment of premiums on a pretax basis.
524.84, Health Benefits Schedule, is revised to indicate that Publication 12,
Health Benefits Open Season Administrative and Processing Information, is
available on the Postal Service intranet and to eliminate reference to cost
information.
524.921, New Enrollment, is revised to clarify the effective date of a new
enrollment.
524.966, Employing Office Responsibility, is revised to change the title to
"National Finance Center Responsibility" and clarify the role of NFC in
terminating health coverage for former spouses.
525.132, Health Benefits Refund Program, is revised to modify 525.132d to
set forth procedures for processing health benefits refunds in a manner
appropriate to the accounting shared services environment.
525.141, Reporting to OWCP, is revised to clarify that injury compensation
personnel annotate Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP)
Form CA-7, Claim for Compensation.
Exhibit 525.142, Transfer of FEHB Enrollment to OWCP, is revised to add
the PostalEASE FEHB History Report.
525.146, On LWOP Eight Months, But Enrollment Not Transferred, is
revised to:
• Change the title to "On LWOP Ten Months, But Enrollment Not
Transferred."
• Show, in 525.146a, that the time period is 10 months rather than 8
months in accordance with OPM guidance.
525.222, Procedures to Be Followed by Employing Office, is revised to:
• Correct, in 525.222a, the title of PS Form 3111, Federal Employees
Health Benefits (FEHB) Coverage or Termination While in Leave
Without Pay (LWOP) Status.
• Note that PS Form 3111 is found on the Postal Service Intranet.
• Change 525.222e to state that if the employee fails to sign and return
the written notice the enrollment is continued.
525.422, Transferring Enrollment to OPM, is revised to add the
PostalEASE FEHB History Report.
Exhibit 525.422, Memorandum About FEHB Enrollment, is revised to add
the PostalEASE FEHB History Report.
525.52, Enrollment Eligibility Both as a Employee and as a Survivor
Annuitant, is revised to clarify terms under which a surviving spouse may
apply for reinstatement of annuitant- or survivor-acquired health benefits
enrollment.
526.322 Time Limitation, is revised to delete reference to SF 2809.
Subchapter 530, Life Insurance Program
533.224, Birthdays/Pay Periods, is revised to:
• Change the title to "Birthdays and Pay Periods."
• Conform to OPM regulations concerning the point at which an
employee moves to a new age band in paying for optional insurance
under the Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) program.
533.225, Insufficient Pay to Cover Optional Insurance Witholdings, is
revised to delete 533.225a and renumber 533.225b and 533.225c as
533.225a and 533.225b respectively.
Subchapter 540, Injury Compensation Program
546.141, General, is revised to comply with the Settlement Agreement in
Glover v. Potter.
Subchapter 560, Civil Service Retirement Program
Subchapter 560 is revised throughout to change reference from Office of
Personnel Management CSRS/FERS Handbook to CSRS and FERS
Handbook for Personnel and Payroll Offices.
569.1, Retirement Counseling, is revised throughout to:
• Update regulatory materials from OPM.
• Define Postal Service policy with regard to OPM regulations.
569.11, Responsibility, is revised to:
• Change "District Managers" to "the Postal Service."
• Change "their employees" to "Postal Service employees."
569.12, National Retirement Counseling System (NARECS), is revised to:
• Change the title to "Retirement Annuity Estimates."
• Clarify NARECS' responsibilities.
• Delete 569.121 through 569.128.
569.13, Survivor Counseling and Assistance, is revised to change the title
to "Group Retirement Information Programs" and delete text.
569.131, Nature of Group Programs, is added to provide guidance for
conducting group retirement information programs for CSRS employees.
569.132, Group Program Content, is added to provide guidance on subjects
that may be covered in group retirement information programs.
569.14, Group Assistance and Counseling, is revised to change the title to
"Individual Retirement Counseling."
569.141, Objectives and Responsibility, is revised to change the title to
"Nature of Individual Counseling" and describe retirement counseling
provided by retirement specialists at the Human Resources Shared Services
Center (HRSSC).
569.142, Location and Participation, is revised to change the title to
"Counseling Session Content" and describe items to be covered in individual
counseling and the responsibilities of the HRSSC retirement specialist.
569.143, Suggestions for Program Content, is revised to change the title to
"Advice to Employee" and clarify that the retirement counselor provides
information, but final choices are made by the employee.
Subchapter 580, Federal Employees Retirement System
Subchapter 580 is revised throughout to change reference from Office of
Personnel Management CSRS/FERS Handbook to CSRS and FERS
Handbook for Personnel and Payroll Offices.
589.1, Retirement Counseling, is revised throughout to update regulatory
materials from OPM and define Postal Service policy with regard to OPM
regulations.
589.11, Responsibility, is revised to change "District Managers" to "the
Postal Service" and change "their employees" to "Postal Service employees."
589.12, National Retirement Counseling System (NARECS), is revised to:
• Change the title to "Retirement Annuity Estimates."
• Clarify NARECS' responsibilities.
• Delete 589.121 through 589.124.
589.13, Group Counseling and Assistance, is revised to change the title to
"Group Retirement Information Programs," delete text, and delete 589.133
and 589.134.
589.131, Objectives and Responsibility, is revised to change the title to
"Nature of Group Programs" and provide guidance for conducting group
retirement information programs for FERS employees.
589.132, Frequency, is revised to change the title to "Group Program
Content" and provide guidance on subjects that may be covered in group
retirement information programs.
589.14, Individual Retirement Counseling, is added to describe retirement
counseling provided to FERS employees.
589.141, Nature of Individual Counseling, is added to describe retirement
counseling provided by HRSSC retirement specialists.
589.142, Counseling Session Content, is added to describe items to be
covered in individual counseling and the responsibilities of the HRSSC
retirement specialist.
589.143, Advice to Employee, is added to clarify that the retirement
counselor provides information, but final choices are made by the employee.
Chapter 6, Employee Relations
Chapter 6 contains extensive revisions. Subchapters 620, 650, and 660 are
completely revised.
Subchapter 620, Contests
Subchapter 620 is revised throughout to:
• Clarify policies related to contests, including types of awards and
approval authority.
• Clarify the definition of contest.
• Broaden the scope to include all contests and related awards.
• Require specific start and end dates for contests.
• Refine the list of approval authorities.
• Specify the responsibilities of Area functional managers and Executive
Committee members.
• Clarify that contests must include all individuals involved in the activity
at the organizational level of the contest.
• Specify types of noncash awards and their maximum value.
• Change "savings bonds" to "cash equivalent items."
• Clarify guidelines for total annual expenditures in District and Plant
contests.
Subchapter 630, Ideas Program
632, Eligibility, is revised to comply with the Settlement Agreement in
Glover v. Potter.
634.31, Amounts, is revised to specify policy about ideas implemented
locally.
635, Records, is revised to reflect the addition of eIDEAS and eAWARDS to
the Ideas Program.
636.2, Payment, is revised to show that eAWARDS is used to process
payments.
Exhibit 636.1, Idea Proposal Processing Summary, is revised to indicate
that ideas are submitted electronically through eIDEAS.
Subchapter 650, Nonbargaining Disciplinary, Grievance, and
Appeal Procedures
Subchapter 650 is reorganized throughout. Applicable provisions of MI
EL-650-96-3 are incorporated, and the MI is superseded by subchapter 650.
Changes to specific sections include the following:
651.2, Representation, is revised to:
• Clarify representation prohibitions.
• Add an employee's right to representation during disciplinary
investigative questioning.
651.3, Nondisciplinary Corrective Measures, is added to reinforce
managers' and supervisors' responsibilities for subordinate employees'
performance improvement.
651.3, Emergency Placement in Off-Duty Status, is renumbered as 651.4
and revised to:
• Modify alcohol/drug impairment language.
• Add a provision for dealing with behavior potentially injurious to self or
other employees.
• Modify instruction for employees return to duty.
651.4, Letters of Warning, is renumbered as 651.5 and revised to add
retention timeframe for letters of warning.
651.5, Letters of Warning in Lieu of Time-Off Suspensions, is revised to:
• Renumber as 651.6 and renumber subsections accordingly.
• Add a 30 calendar day time limit for the deciding official to render a
decision.
• Change the retention period of Letters of Warning in Lieu of Time-Off
Suspensions from 3 years to 2 years.
651.6, Adverse Actions, is revised to:
• Renumber as 651.7 and renumber subsections accordingly.
• Add a 60 calendar day time limit for a deciding official to render a
decision in an adverse action.
• Explain disposition of a case.
652, Grievance and Appeal Procedures, is revised to change the title to
"Appeal Procedures."
652.1, Scope, is revised to replace the word "grievance" with the word
"appeal".
652.21, Coverage, is revised to:
• Delete reference to suspensions of 14 days or fewer because they are
not adverse actions.
• Delete requirement of 6 months of continuous service.
• Incorporate text of 652.211.
652.211, Category of Employee, is deleted.
651.212, Exclusion, is renumbered as 651.22
652.22, Appeal to Step 1, is renumbered as 651.23.
652.221, Field Employees, is renumbered as 652.231 and revised to make
the Headquarters vice president, Labor Relations, or designee the Step 1
official for adverse actions instead of the Area vice president.
652.222, Headquarters, Headquarters Field Units, and Inspection
Service Employees, is renumbered as 652.232 and revised to change the
title to "Headquarters, Headquarters Field Units, Inspection Service, and
Office of Inspector General Employees."
652.223, Exceptions, is renumbered as 652.233 and revised to add
information about the role of the Office of Inspector General (OIG).
652.23, Hearings, is renumbered as 652.24
652.231, Action If No Hearing Requested, is renumbered as 652.241 and
revised to include requirement for the Step 1 official to issue a final decision
within 21 calendar days.
652.232, Action When Hearing Requested, is renumbered as 652.242 and
revised to:
• Provide for the assignment of a neutral hearing officer within 10
calendar days of a hearing request and for a hearing to be held no later
than 75 calendars days after a neutral hearing officer is assigned.
• Give the employee at least 14 calendar days' notice of a hearing
schedule.
652.233, Management Obligation for Witnesses, is renumbered as
652.243 and revised to add a provision for witnesses to testify via alternate
means when unable to attend a hearing in person.
652.234, Workhours Compensation; 652.235, Noninterference Rule; and
652.236, Transcript, are renumbered as 652.244, 652.245, and 652.246,
respectively.
652.247, Attorney Fees, is added to clarify that attorney fees are not
applicable to appeals covered in subchapter 650.
652.24, Step I Decision, is revised to:
• Renumber as 652.25.
• Change title to "Post Hearing."
• Add former 652.251 and 652.252.
652.251, Hearing Officer Action, is added to clarify the role of the hearing
officer in a Step I action.
652.252, Step 1 Official Action, is added to provide for a proposed decision
(vs. a finding of fact) by the neutral hearing officer prior to the Step 1 official's
final decision and to add processing time frames.
652.31, Coverage, is renumbered as 652.41 and revised to change EAS
levels to conform to recent level increases.
652.32, Step A, and 652.33, Step B, and 642.34, Review, are renumbered
as 652.42, 652.43, and 652.44, respectively.
652.4, Other Appealable Actions, is revised to:
• Delete the word "grievance" and replace it with "appeal(s)."
• Include OIG coverage.
652.5, Alternative Dispute Resolution, is added to:
• Reflect Postal Service support and policy guidance for use of the
Alternative Dispute Resolution process of mediation to address
employee appeals relating to nonbargaining disciplinary actions.
• Include provisions for mediation for letters of warning for adverse
actions and in lieu of time-off suspensions.
Subchapter 660, Conduct
Subchapter 660 is revised and reorganized throughout. The revised language
reflects external regulatory changes regarding federal employee conduct,
including changes to the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). The revisions
also incorporate internal policy changes, clarify language, update
organization titles and structure, and update references to other Postal
Service documents.
Many parts, sections, and subsections have been renamed, renumbered,
deleted, or incorporated into sections with other material. Deleted items are
listed by their number and title in ELM 17. New and changed items are listed
by their number and title in ELM 18.
661, Statutory Provisions, is added to include references to laws mentioned
in this manual and their application to Postal Service employees.
661.1, Laws Referenced in This Manual, is added to incorporate former
665.1.
661.2, Application to Postal Employees, is added to incorporate and revise
former 665.2.
661.3, Standards of Conduct, is deleted; ethics information is moved to
662.1.
661.4, Conflicts of Interest, is deleted; information is moved to sections
662.1 and 662.2.
661.5, Other Prohibited Conduct, is moved to 665.2.
661.6, Indebtedness, and 661.7, Provisions Concerning Special Postal
Service Employees, are deleted.
661.8, Ethical Conduct Advisory Service and Remedial Action, is
deleted; 661.812 is moved to 662.12; 661.813 is moved to 662.11.
662, Federal Standards of Ethical Conduct, is added to incorporate and
revise material from former 661.
662.1, Publication, is added to incorporate former 661.1, 661.2, 661.3,
661.42, and 661.43 and to provide references to sections of the CFR that
govern the ethical conduct of Postal Service employees.
662.11, Ethics Advice, is revised to incorporate former 661.813 and add that
information given to ethics officials is not protected by the attorney-client
privilege.
662.12, Ethics Officials, is revised to incorporate former 661.812 and to
update the titles of the positions from which employees may receive ethics
advice.
662.2, Financial Disclosure, is added to:
• Incorporate and revise material from former 661.41 and 662.
• Include information regarding the requirements for financial disclosure.
• Add references to 5 CFR 2643 and Management Instruction (MI)
EL-660-97-1, Financial Disclosure Report Procedures for the U. S.
Postal Service, regarding required financial disclosures by Postal
Service employees.
663, Participation in Political and Community Activities, is revised to
reorganize subsections, add subsection headings, and clarify language
throughout.
663.12, Additional Prohibited Political Activities, is revised at 663.12b in
accordance with Office of Special Counsel guidelines to prohibit Postal
Service employees from wearing political badges or buttons while on duty or
in uniform regardless of whether the employee deals with or is exposed to the
public.
663.13, Investigation and Enforcement, is revised to clarify language and
to delete CFR reference.
663.33, Exceptions, is revised to change the reference from "APMG,
Employee Relations," to "area manager of Human Resources."
664, Bribery, Undue Influence, or Coercion, is revised to:
• Update titles and addresses.
• Add the OIG and the Assistant Inspector General for Investigations to
the list of entities to which copies of reports regarding bribery, undue
influence, or coercion must be sent.
• Delete reference to the Chief Postal Inspector.
665, Postal Service Standards of Conduct, is revised to incorporate,
rewrite, and reorganize former 666.
665.11, Loyalty, is revised to incorporate and rewrite former 666.3.
665.12, Performance of Public Duties, is revised to incorporate and rewrite
former 666.4.
665.13, Discharge of Duties, is revised to incorporate and rewrite former
666.1.
665.14, Reporting Violations, is revised to incorporate former 666.52 and
reflect the recent realignment of OIG and Inspection Service responsibilities.
665.15, Obedience to Orders, is revised to incorporate and rewrite former
666.51.
665.16, Behavior and Personal Habits, is revised to incorporate former
661.53 and 666.2 and to include a reference to the applicability of the federal
standards of ethical conduct described in 662.1.
665.17, Reporting Requirements for Sex Offenders, is added to:
• Identify current Postal Service employees required by any jurisdiction to
report their status as sex offenders.
• Create the requirement that any Postal Service employee required to
register as a sex offender with any governmental entity must notify the
appropriate Postal Service management official as described.
• Assist the Postal Service to protect its brand, the public, and its
workforce.
665.2, Prohibited Conduct, is revised to incorporate former 661.5.
665.21, Incomplete Mail Disposition, is revised to incorporate former
666.85 and add a citation to 18 U.S.C. 1700.
665.22, Unofficial Recommendations, is added to include a prohibition
against employees making recommendations of persons to be employed by
the Postal Service as consultants, agents, etc., unless such
recommendations are part of their official duties.
665.23, Discrimination, is revised to incorporate former 661.51 and add a
prohibition against discrimination on the basis of marital and parental status,
sexual orientation, and reprisal for equal employment opportunity (EEO)
activity.
665.24, Violent and/or Threatening Behavior, is added to include a
prohibition against violence and threats of violence in the workplace
environment.
665.25, Illegal Drug Sale, Use, or Possession, is revised to incorporate
former 661.55 and add prohibitions against sale and possession of illegal
drugs and against abuse of legal drugs while on duty or on Postal Service
premises.
665.26, Intoxicating Beverages, is revised to incorporate former 661.54,
rewrite, and add provisions for disciplinary action.
665.27, Gambling, is revised to incorporate former 661.56 and add a
reference to the Randolph-Sheppard Act.
665.3, Cooperation in Investigations, is revised to incorporate 666.6 and
add a reference to cooperation in OIG investigations.
665.4, Attendance, is added to incorporate the title of former 666.8.
665.41, Requirement of Regular Attendance, is revised to incorporate
former 666.81 and add a provision that failure to meet this requirement could
result in disciplinary action, including removal.
665.42, Absence Without Permission, is revised to incorporate former
666.82 and add:
• A provision that failure to meet this requirement could result in
disciplinary action.
• Information regarding the FMLA.
665.43, Tardiness, is revised to incorporate and rewrite former 666.83.
665.44, Falsification in Recording Time, is revised to incorporate former
666.84 and add a provision that falsification in recording time could result in
criminal prosecution.
665.5, Furnishing Address, is revised to incorporate former 666.7 and
update the methods that must be used to change an employee's mailing
address.
665.6, Disciplinary Action, is revised to incorporate and rewrite former
666.86.
666, Prohibited Personnel Practices, is revised to incorporate the title of
former 668.1.
666.1, Restrictions, is revised to incorporate the title of former 668.11.
668.11, Applicability of Restrictions, is revised to incorporate and rewrite
668.111.
666.12, Prohibited Discrimination, is revised to:
• Combine former 668.112b and 668.112c.
• Add a prohibition against discrimination based on reprisal for protected
activity, marital status, and sexual orientation in connection with
examination, appointment, reappointment, reinstatement,
reemployment, promotion, transfer, demotion, removal, or retirement.
666.13 through 666.17 are revised to incorporate former 668.113 through
668.117 respectively.
666.18, Reprisal for Release of Information, is revised to:
• Incorporate former 668.118.
• Indicate that disclosure of information under 666.18a and 666.18b that
is specifically prohibited by law does not carry protection against
reprisal.
• Indicate disclosures made under section 666.18a and 666.18b to the
Inspector General are not prohibited by law unless the complaint was
made or the information was disclosed with the knowledge that it was
false or with willful disregard for its truth or falsity.
666.2, Remedies, is revised to incorporate the title of former 668.12.
666.21, General, is revised to incorporate and rewrite former 668.121.
666.22, Equal Opportunity Complaint Procedures, is added to:
• Incorporate and revise former 668.122.
• Update the time limit for filing EEO complaints.
• Add reprisal as a basis for EEO complaints.
• Add a reference to Publication 133, What You Need to Know About
EEO.
666.23, Adverse Action Appeals to the Merit Systems Protection Board,
is added to:
• Incorporate and revise former 668.124.
• Update the time limit for appeals to the MSPB.
• Indicate that preference eligible employees may appeal RIF actions to
the MSPB.
666.24, Grievance Procedures, is revised to incorporate former 668.123
and reflect the provisions of 652.4 regarding grievance procedures for
nonbargaining unit employees.
666.25, Nonbargaining Unit Appeals Procedures, is revised to:
• Incorporate former 668.125.
• Replace the 6-month continuous service requirement with the
requirement to be a nonprobationary employee in order to be eligible to
appeal an adverse action under 652.2.
• Add a reference to 652.2 for appeals of adverse actions.
• Add a reference to 652.3 for appeals of letters of warning in lieu of
time-off suspensions.
666.26, Other Appeal Procedures for Prohibited Personnel Practices, is
revised to:
• Incorporate former 668.126.
• Clarify that such appeals are sent to the vice president, Labor
Relations.
• Revise procedures for allegations of violations of law to show that such
violations are referred to the Inspection Service, the OIG, or both.
666.3, Whistleblower Protection, is added to:
• Provide procedures for investigations by the OIG of Postal Service
employee allegations of reprisal for the release of information under
666.18.
• Provide that such allegations, if raised by OIG employees, will be
referred to an outside organization or individual for investigation.
667, Service Matters, is revised to incorporate the title of former 668.2.
667.1, General Service Behavior, is revised to incorporate and rewrite
former sections 668.21 through 668.28.
667.11 through 667.18 are revised to incorporate former 668.21 through
668.28 respectively.
667.2, Interception of Oral or Wire Communications by Postal
Employees, is revised to incorporate the title of former 668.29.
667.21, Prohibition, is revised to incorporate former 668.291.
667.22, Exceptions, is revised to:
• Incorporate former 668.292.
• Add an exception to the prohibition against interception of oral or wire
communications for investigations by the OIG.
• Add a provision for establishing call monitoring programs by Postal
Service management for legitimate business purposes if they comply
with applicable federal statutes and regulations.
667.23, Definitions, is revised to incorporate former 668.293 and update the
U.S.C. citation.
667.3, Records, Information, and Associated Processing Systems and
Equipment, is revised to incorporate and rewrite former 668.3 and update
legal and internal regulatory citations.
667.32, Prohibited Disclosures, is revised to incorporate the title of former
668.32.
667.321 and 667.322 are revised to incorporate former 668.321 and 668.322
respectively.
667.323, Trade Information, is revised to:
• Incorporate former 668.323.
• Update the reference to the Administrative Support Manual (ASM).
• Add a reference to Handbook AS-353, Guide to Privacy and the
Freedom of Information Act.
667.33, Prohibited Uses, is revised to incorporate the title of former 668.33.
667.331, Personal Use, is revised to incorporate former 661.52 and 668.331
and add provisions for limited personal use of Postal Service office
equipment.
667.332, Damage, is revised to incorporate former 668.332 and add that
employees will be held accountable for damage to Postal Service property
under certain conditions.
667.333, Bypassing Security Controls, is revised to incorporate former
668.333 and add a reference to the ASM.
667.334, Sanctions for Misuse, is added to set forth possible sanctions for
misuse of Postal Service equipment.
667.34, Protection Responsibilities, is revised to incorporate former 668.34
and add that information about customers must be protected from
unauthorized use or disclosure.
667.35, Reporting Violations, is revised to incorporate former 668.35 and
update section references.
668, Legal Assistance Provided by the Postal Service, is revised to
incorporate the title of former 667.
668.1, Representation of Postal Service Employees by the Department
of Justice in Civil and Criminal Cases, is revised to delete text and
incorporate the title of former 667.1.
668.11, General, is revised to:
• Incorporate former 667.11 and 667.21.
• Expand reference to the Federal Tort Claims Act to include all of 28
U.S.C. 2679.
668.12, Procedure for Requesting Legal Representation by the
Department of Justice, is revised to incorporate the title of former 667.22.
668.121, Employee Responsibilities, is revised to delete the provisions of
former 667.12 and incorporate the provisions of former 667.221.
668.122, Installation of Higher Level Official Responsibilities, is revised
to:
• Delete the provisions of former 667.13 and incorporate the provisions
of former 667.222.
• Amend former 667.22 by adding a requirement at 668.122a for the
installation head to submit a statement to the area managing counsel
that states whether he or she believes the employee was acting within
the scope of his or her employment.
668.123, Postal Inspection Service and Office of Inspector General, is
revised to incorporate former 667.223 and add provisions for OIG employees
to follow procedures established by the Inspector General to request
representation by the Department of Justice rather than follow the procedures
in 668.
668.124, Criteria for Granting Representation, and 668.125, Department
of Justice Representation, are revised to incorporate former 667.23 and
667.3 respectively.
668.2, Reimbursement of Employees for Legal Fees, Judgments, and
Settlements, is revised to incorporate the title of former 667.4.
668.21, Legal Fees; 668.22, Judgments and Settlements; and 668.23,
Criteria for Reimbursement, are revised to incorporate former 667.41,
667.42, and 667.43 respectively.
668.3, USPS Governors and Officers, is revised to incorporate former
667.5 and delete references to PCES and headquarters employees, who are
to follow the procedures in 668.1 and 668.2.
668.31, Requests for Legal Representation; 668.32, Legal Fees; and
668.33, Judgments and Settlements, are revised to incorporate former
667.51, 667.52, and 667.53 respectively.
669, Definitions, is revised throughout to:
• Delete reference to "special Postal Service employee" because this is
no longer an employee classification.
• Delete definition of associate Ethical Conduct Officers.
• Add definitions of office equipment and personnel action.
Chapter 7, Training and Development
Subchapter 720, Training and Development Responsibilities and
Functions
721.2, Areas, is revised at 721.2d to comply with the Settlement Agreement
in Glover v. Potter.
Chapter 8, Safety and Health
Chapter 8 is changed as follows:
• The title is changed to "Safety, Health, and Environment."
• Subchapters 810, 820, 850, and 870 are completely revised.
• Subchapter 890, Environmental Management, is added.
Subchapter 810, Occupational Safety and Health Program
Subchapter 810 is rewritten, reorganized, and revised throughout to add:
• The Voluntary Protection Program process and other innovative safety
activities.
• Accident Reduction Plan (ARP) responsibilities.
• District support for Facility Safety Coordinators (FSCs).
• FSC use of the Safety Toolkit.
• Reference to PS Form 8214, Certificate of OSHA, Safety, and
Environmental Records Transfer.
• Revised safety training, including Aviation Mail Security training.
Subchapter 820, Reports and Investigations, Program
Evaluations, and Inspections
Subchapter 820 is rewritten, reorganized, and revised throughout to:
• Remove language related to "overlapping Postal Service and
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements"
and "Human Resources Information System (HRIS) accident reporting."
• Include new language on OSHA reporting requirements and postal
accident reporting systems.
• Update accident analysis requirements.
• Clarify procedures for reporting serious accidents and reporting to
OSHA.
• Clarify procedures for cooperation with OSHA investigations.
• Discuss how to use the Safety Toolkit to prepare ARPs and Hazard
Abatement Plans and conduct inspections and other activities.
• Add labor-agreement language on "regular staff meetings" in smaller
facilities.
• Clarify language on OSHA inspections and citations.
821.133, Notifying the Safety Office of Controverted Claims, is revised to:
• Delete text and title to remove references to obsolete recording
requirements.
• Mark section "reserved."
822.12, Reporting Requirements for Installation Heads, is revised to align
with OSHA regulations.
Subchapter 840, Safety Awareness Programs
842.23, Participation, revised to comply with the Settlement Agreement in
Glover v. Potter.
Subchapter 850, Emergency Action Plans and Fire Prevention
and Control
Subchapter 850 is rewritten, reorganized, and revised throughout to add
information about:
• Revised OSHA emergency standards.
• Homeland Security requirements.
• The Office of Emergency Preparedness.
• Incidental releases of hazardous materials.
• Shelter-in-place planning.
• Using volunteers in emergency evacuation teams.
• Requirements that alarm systems have for audible and visible signals.
Subchapter 860, Medical and Occupational Health Services
863.332, Work Schedules, is revised to add references to 5 CFR 2635 and
ELM 662.1.
865, Return to Duty After Extended Illness or Injury, is revised to:
• Change title to "Return to Duty After Absence for Medical Reasons."
• Rewrite and reorganize throughout to more accurately reflect current
policy and practices regarding situations in which return-to-work
documentation is required.
865.1, Certification After 21 Days, is revised to:
• Change title to "Certification Required: All Bargaining Unit Employees
and Those Nonbargaining Unit Employees Returning From Non-FMLA
Absences."
• Reflect current policy and practices regarding situations in which
return-to-work documentation is requested.
• Restore a paragraph mistakenly omitted from ELM 17.
Subchapter 870, Employee Assistance Program
Subchapter 870 is revised throughout to reflect policy changes to the
Employee Assistance Program.
871.35, Scheduling, is revised to add the disclosure requirements of the
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
873.22, Management Responsibilities, is revised to update the reference to
Handbook EL-312, Employment and Placement.
874.31, Postal Service Providers, is revised to update the reference to
Privacy Act regulations and policy.
Subchapter 890, Environmental Management
Subchapter 890 is added to:
• Reflect the addition of environmental management responsibilities to
Employee Resource Management, Human Resources.
• Align Postal Service environmental policies with safety and health
policies.
Chapter 9, Labor Relations
Subchapter 920, Dues Withholding for Employee Organizations
922, Dues Collection Schedule, is revised to reflect monthly dues
withholding for the National Alliance of Postal Employees and to correct the
description of the processing of monthly dues withholding.
923, Eligible Organizations, is revised at 923b to provide the new address
of the National League of Postmasters of the United States.
924.212, Exception, is revised to allow for dues withholding for postmaster
leave replacements and some nonbargaining temporary employees.
924.421, Postmasters, is revised to show changes in the process for
submitting a completed SF 1187, Request for Voluntary Allotment of
Compensation for Payment of Employee Organization Dues, to the National
Association of Postmasters of the United States.
925.122, Special Circumstances, is revised to provide an exception to the
process for canceling dues withholding.
Exhibit 925.1, PS Form 1188, Cancellation of Organization Dues From
Payroll Withholding, is revised to replace page 1 of the October 1996
version of PS Form 1188 with the July 2002 version.
Subchapter 930, Work Clothes and Uniforms
931.13, Types of Clothing, is revised at item 931.13b to replace to replace
"window" with "retail."
931.261, Appearance, is revised to state that jeans, shorts, sleeveless tops,
T-shirts, sweats, spandex, etc., are not appropriate attire for employees
working at a retail counter.
932.11, Regular Uniforms, is revised to:
• Add 932.11h to state that retail classroom instructors and retail coaches
who qualify for uniform allowances must wear the prescribed uniform
while performing their duties.
• Reorder subsequent items.
932.13, Work Clothes, is revised at item 931.13e(29) to change a job title
from "tool and parts clerk" to "maintenance support clerk."
932.21, New, Part-Time, and Casual Employees, is revised to state that,
unless uniforms have been provided to them, new, part-time, and casual
employees are not required to wear uniforms (except for the uniform cap).
932.31, Specifications, is revised to delete "Natick, MA."
932.32, Quality Control Certification, is revised to delete "U.S. Army Natick
Laboratories, Natick, MA."
933.1, Type 1 Uniforms, is revised to reflect current uniform requirements.
933.111, Type 1a, is revised to add:
• All-Weather Gear System to Items for Men and Items for Women.
• Quarter-length socks to the requirements for Type 1 uniforms.
933.12, Type 1 Combinations, is revised to replace the word "window" with
"retail" in footnote 6.
933.21, Type 2 Items, is revised to:
• Revise the tables "Items for Men" and "Items for Women" to reflect new
uniform options.
• Add footnote 1 addressing the correct way to wear the Retail
Operations knit shirt, Type 2 uniform.
• Renumber subsequent footnotes.
933.22, Type 2 Combinations, is revised to replace the table with new
uniform options.
933.3, Type 3 Uniform Items, is revised to add 100 percent cotton denim,
knit, and tee shirts to Type 3 uniforms.
933.4, Type 4 Uniform Items and Combinations, is revised throughout to:
• Update uniforms worn by security force police officers.
• Change the word "navy" to "dark blue."
933.72, Other Insignia, is revised to replace "window" with "retail."
934.2, Cold Weather Items, is revised to change the title to "Cold Weather
Items (Does not apply to Type 2 Uniforms)."
934.3, Warm Weather Items, is revised to change the title to "Warm Weather
Items (Does not apply to Type 2 Uniforms)."
934.32, Summer Shirt and Tie, is revised to change "union representatives"
to "representatives."
934.4, Seasonal Changes of Uniform, is revised to update uniform policy
for retail employees.
934.5, Employees in Nonuniform Categories, is revised to replace
"window" with "retail."
Appendix, Records Control Schedules
Introduction, is revised to reflect changes in records management and
retention requirements and correct references.
32-43 Safety, is revised to reflect changes in records management and
retention requirements and correct references.
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