Q. I am a term FAA employee. I was a permanent employee with the Department of Defense. I have 13 years of civil service. I have no military time. For 11 of the 13 years, I was a permanent employee with the Department of Defense.
If a reduction in force occurs, do I as a term employee received the separation incentives usually offered to permanent employees? What benefits are term employees allowed, such as priority placement program, return rights, etc.?
A. You couldn’t receive a voluntary separation incentive payment because only employees serving in an appointment without time limit are eligible for that. During a reduction in force, you’d fall into the lowest retention category — Group III. For more information about RIFs and how they play out, go to www.opm.gov/rif/general/rifguide.asp.