Effective September 19, 2013, Handbook EL-312, Employment and Placement, sections 716.12 through 716.145 are revised to align the policies and guidelines for temporary assignments with those contained in Handbook F-15, Travel and Relocation:
n Section 716.12d is revised to delete the word “priority.”
n Section 716.12f is revised to indicate that the temporary assignment of an employee to a nonbargaining position at the same or lower level should not exceed 90 calendar days unless extended by the next higher level of management above the detailed position. The reference is also updated to refer the reader to section 716.143 through 716.145 for time limits on temporary assignment to a higher-level position.
n Exhibit 716.12 has been added for ease of use. This chart indicates the temporary assignment duration, approver, and references within Handbooks EL-312 and/or F-15.
n Section 716.141 is revised to indicate that approval for a temporary assignment to a higher-level nonbargaining position is required and directs the reader to Exhibit 716.12 and sections 716.142 to 716.145.
n Section 716.142 is revised to state that when a temporary assignment or detail requiring travel and related expenses, or higher-level pay, is expected to last longer than 30 calendar days, approval must be obtained from the next higher-level manager over the manager of the position unless the detail assignment was originally approved by a PCES manager. Handbook F-15 section 4-1.2.1 is referenced.
n Section 716.143 is revised to state who must approve a detail to a higher-level position beyond 90-days.
n Section 716.144 is revised to include an exception for approvals required for a detail to a higher-level vacant position pending selection of a person for permanent placement. Specifically, if the detail assignment was originally approved by a PCES manager, approval of the extension is not required.
n Section 716.145 is added to clarify that detail assignments exceeding one year require approval of the Area Vice President (for field detail assignments) or the functional officer (for detail to a Headquarters position) and refers to Handbook F-15 for notification requirements and tax consequences of detail assignments exceeding one year.
Handbook EL-312, Employment and Placement
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7 Assignment, Reassignment, and Promotion
71 Introduction
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716 Positions Filled Temporarily
* * * * *
716.12 Temporary Assignments to Nonbargaining Positions
[Revise item d to read as follows:]
d. Normally, consideration is given to unassigned employees (i.e. employees whose positions have been abolished).
* * * * *
[Revise item f to read as follows:]
f. Temporary assignment of an employee to a position at the same or lower level should not exceed 90 calendar days unless extended by the next higher level of management above the detailed position. (See 716.143 through 716.145 for time limits on temporary assignment to a higher-level position.)
[Insert Exhibit 716.12 to read as follows:]
Exhibit 716.12
*Exception: If the detail assignment was originally approved by a PCES manager, further approval is not necessary.
* * * * *
716.14 Temporary Assignment to Higher Level — Nonbargaining
716.141 Necessity
[Revise the last sentence of 716.141 to read as follows:]
***Approval is required (see Exhibit 716.12 and sections 716.142 to 716.145).
[Revise the title of 716.142 to read as follows:]
716.142 Higher Management Level Approval for Assignments of More Than 30 Calendar Days
[Revise the text of 716.142 to read as follows:]
When a temporary assignment or detail requiring travel and related expenses, or higher-level pay, is expected to last longer than 30 calendar days, approval must be obtained from the next higher-level manager over the manager of the position (unless the detail assignment was originally approved by a PCES manager). See also Handbook F-15 section 4-1.2.1.
716.143 Higher Level Assignments Limited to 90 Calendar Days Unless Extended
[Revise the text of 716.143 to read as follows:]
Temporary assignment to a higher–level position, during the absence of the incumbent, is limited to a maximum period of 90 calendar days, which may be extended with the prior approval of the next higher level of management above the detailed position. Exception: If the detail assignment was originally approved by a PCES manager, approval of the extension is not required.
716.144 120–Day Time Limit
[Insert new last sentence before page reference to read as follows:]
***Exception: If the detail assignment was originally approved by a PCES manager, approval of the extension is not required. (See 743.16, Exceptions to the 120–Day Limit, for exceptions.)
[Insert new text for 716.145 to read as follows:]
716.145 Temporary Assignments Exceeding 1 Year
Temporary assignments exceeding 1 year that involve travel and associated expenses require the prior approval of the Area Vice President (for field detail assignments) or the functional officer (for detail to a Headquarters position). There must be a critical need to extend a temporary assignment beyond one year. The approving manager will notify the Vice President, Controller of the approval to ensure that travel reimbursements are handled as required by law. See Handbook F-15 section 2-2.1.2.2 for tax consequences of detail assignments exceeding one year.
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We will incorporate these revisions into the next online issue of Handbook EL-312, Employment and Placement, available on the Postal Service PolicyNet website:
n Go to http://blue.usps.gov.
n Under “Essential Links” in the left-hand column, click PolicyNet.
n On the PolicyNet page, click HBKs.
(The direct URL for the Postal Service PolicyNet website is http://blue.usps.gov/cpim.)
— Organizational Effectiveness,
Employee Resource Management, 9-19-13
