MEMORANDUM FOR HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES

the Election Period

When a Presidential election period approaches, it is important for agencies to review all personnel actions carefully to ensure the actions meet all civil service laws, rules, and regulations and are free of impropriety.

The record in all personnel actions must show clearly that the actions are proper and legitimate. Both OPM and agencies are obligated to ensure that all personnel actions conform fully to the spirit and letter of the merit system principles and do not involve prohibited personnel practices.

The appointment of Schedule C and noncareer SES employees to the competitive service warrants special attention to ensure compliance with merit system principles. As OPM has done in the past, we are instituting a requirement for OPM pre-appointment review of these actions before agency approval.

We will continue to conduct merit staffing reviews of proposed selections of Schedule C and noncareer SES employees for SES career appointments before they are presented to Qualifications Review Boards for certification of their executive qualifications.

Attached is guidance on SES appointments, awards and other employment issues, and instructions for submitting requests to OPM for approval. I appreciate your cooperation in these matters and look forward to working with you to ensure that personnel actions adhere faithfully to the merit system principles.