Effective September 19, 2013, Handbook F-15, Travel and Relocation, sections 2-2.1 and 4-1.2 are revised to align the policies and guidelines for temporary assignments with those contained in Handbook EL-312, Employment and Placement:
n F-15 section 2-2.1.2 is revised to show a reference to Handbook EL-312 section 716.1.
n F-15 section 2-2.1.2.1 is revised 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 the responsibility of the approving official to notify the Vice President, Controller to ensure that travel reimbursements are handled as required by law.
n F-15 section 4-1.2.1 is revised to indicate approval required for a temporary assignment away from the permanent duty station expected to last longer than 30 days.
n F-15 section 4-1.2.2 is revised to clarify the condition to which this policy applies and states what the request for approval should outline.
Handbook F-15, Travel and Relocation
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2 Before You Begin Traveling
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2-2 Responsibilities of Approving Officials
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2-2.1 Authorizing Travel
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2-2.1.2 For Employees on Extended Duty Assignments or Details
[Revise the first sentence of 2-2.1.2 to read as follows:]
The appropriate approving official must approve all extended duty assignments or details in advance and in writing (see EL-312, 716.1).***
2-2.1.2.1 Details in Excess of One Year
[Revise the text of 2-2.1.2.1 to read as follows:]
There must be a critical need to extend a temporary assignment/detail away from your permanent duty station beyond one year.
Temporary assignments exceeding 1 year involving travel and associated expenses require approval in writing and in advance from the Area Vice President (for field detail assignments) or the functional officer (for detail to a Headquarters position). The approving manager will notify the Vice President, Controller of the approval to ensure that travel reimbursements are handled as required by law (see 2-2.1.2.2).
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4 Preparing to Travel
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4-1 Getting Approval
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4-1.2 For Extended Duty Assignments or Details
4-1.2.1 What's Required
[Revise the text of 4-1.2.1 to read as follows:]
When a temporary assignment or detail away from your permanent duty station is expected to last longer than 30 days, you must obtain approval in advance from the next higher-level manager over the manager of the position, unless the detail assignment was originally approved by a PCES manager.
4-1.2.2 How to Get Approval
[Revise the text of 4-1.2.2 to read as follows:]
To obtain approval for an extended duty assignment or detail away from your permanent duty station, follow the steps for regular travel, but submit your completed itinerary to your immediate supervisor at least 2 weeks before departure to allow time for your travel to be approved.
Your request must outline all of the following:
a. Destination.
b. Purpose of the trip.
c. Justification for the duration of the trip.
d. Benefit to the Postal Service.
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We will incorporate these revisions into the next online issue of Handbook F-15, Travel and Relocation, 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.)
— Corporate Accounting,
Controller, 9-19-13
