RIF Planning, Preparation, and Oversight

We can oversee, administer, and guide your Agency’s Restructuring or Reorganization Team in conducting a Reduction in Force (RIF). OPM services include:

• Advising and assisting in negotiations
• Developing action plans, including options for utilizing authorities such as VSIP and VERA
• Providing technical assistance related to validating RIF essential data during the Official Personnel Folder (OPF) review process
• Assisting with preparation and release of RIF data to employees
• Assisting in the application of AutoRIF software and developing retention registers
• Providing technical assistance in making RIF placement decisions
• Completing and reviewing draft competitive levels in competitive areas subject to RIF
• Providing AutoRIF technical briefings and onsite user assistance
• Setting up AutoRIF for processing RIF actions
• Running pre-RIF analysis to determine change to lower grade and separations impact
• Developing RIF notification packages and assisting in their preparation
• Preparing managers for delivery of RIF notices and consulting regarding notice delivery
• Preparing agency HR staff and others for RIF counseling activities

Infrastructure Needs

In partnership with your agency’s restructuring team and/or HR office, we can help you accomplish downsizing and related Reduction in Force (RIF) activities as needed throughout specific portions of your agency.

We will work with you to:

• Identify gaps in your Human Resource (HR) staff’s skills that would be necessary to plan and conduct a RIF
• Develop plans for your operating HR office based upon your actual need to conduct a RIF
• Determine the condition of HR records, and assist with file updating or correcting
• Improve the operational RIF skills of your HR staff through training, coaching and mentoring, and as necessary supplementation

Change Management Education

We can conduct customized briefings for your managers and leadership team on how to prepare your staff for change. Sessions cover:

• Identifying barriers to change in organizations
• Facilitating change in organizations
• Developing communication plans to support the change strategies
• Handling transition
• Managing the transition—letting go, new beginning
• Balancing personal interests with employee interests
• Understanding new vs. old business needs
• Developing a change management plan for each manager

Advisory Support

OPM experts can also support your staff with decisions through the Reduction in Force (RIF) process. 

• RIF planning
• RIF mechanics
• Transfer of function
• RIF entitlements and benefits
• Organization design and position classification
• Automated RIF software

Strategic RIF Alternatives

Sometimes RIF is not your only option. OPM will consult with your agency human resources staff to develop a placement plan for employees in lieu of Reduction in Force (RIF). Various options are available and can include use of the early retirement authority, buyout authority, establishing an internal priority placement program, relocation bonuses, hiring freezes, and other potential alternatives to RIF.

OPM consultants can assist you in preparing a business cost analysis for an agency facing downsizing or restructuring and choosing to consider alternatives to RIF. This cost analysis will include the financial impact associated with using various reduction incentives and options.

OPM can deliver training sessions as agencies process a restructuring or RIF event. OPM trainers use lecture, discussion, and hands-on exercises to provide information on the background and framework, Federal policy, and best practices related to the training topic. We tailor training content around the agency’s current policy, data, and related scenarios to equip participants with relevant knowledge, skills, and resources to effectively align human capital management solutions and improve organizational performance. 

We will work with your Human Resources (HR) staff to educate them about the Official Personnel Folder (OPF) audit process for Reduction in Force (RIF) essential data. OPM will meet with your OPF review team members and train them specifically on the application of veterans' preference, computation of RIF Adjusted Service Computation Dates (SCD), and performance ratings so that your HR staff can complete your RIF actions in an efficient and timely fashion. If your budget permits, OPM can have a team of professionals’ onsite to complete these tasks for you and your HR team.

OPM offers a workshop series on interviewing techniques, resume and application writing, job search strategies, career exploration, and understanding the new employment contract. In today’s workforce, employees must continue to refine their skills to increase their marketability and competitiveness. Career development and enhancement is critical to all organizations, not just those susceptible to downsizing.

For employees impacted by downsizing, OPM can also provide one-on-one counseling. Each employee will have the opportunity to work with an OPM counselor to review areas of employment interest, current skills, knowledge and abilities and how best to prepare a resume and prepare for an interview. OPM counselors will also work with employees on options for training, opportunities to explore competency development, and development of a personal timeline for career planning. OPM counselors will provide individual assessments of an employee’s job qualifications against vacancies for which the employee intends to apply.