Common use of Grade Increases Clause in Contracts

Grade Increases. The determination to grant or withhold a WIGI will be based on the employee’s appraisal of record and his/her current performance under a performance plan for 90 days or more. The WIGI will be granted as soon as the employee is eligible if he/she has met an acceptable level of competence. Performance/Competence Determination Communication of Performance Requirements - Employees shall be informed of the specific performance requirements that constitute an acceptable level of competence within the time frames and means of communication of performance standards established under the performance appraisal system. Acceptable Level of Competence Determinations: An acceptable level of competence determination shall be based on the current rating of record. This rating used as the basis for an acceptable level of competence determination must have been assigned no earlier than at the end of the most recently completed annual appraisal period. If the most recent rating is more than 90 days old, the current performance will be reviewed to ensure that the rating of record reflects current performance. When it is determined that current performance is not at an acceptable level, a special rating must be prepared to document current performance. Notification - Employees shall be provided with an acceptable level of competence determination as soon as possible after the completion of the required waiting period. Favorable Determination - The SF-50-B, Notification of Personnel Action, shall be used to advise employees that they have achieved an acceptable level of competence and will receive a within‑grade increase. Negative Determination - When it is determined that the employee’s performance is not at an acceptable level of competence, the employee shall be given a written notice which includes the following: The reasons for the negative determination and the respect in which the employee must improve his/her performance; and, Information on the employee’s right to request reconsideration of the negative determination. Reconsideration Procedures for WIGI Determinations Where an employee has been assigned to a present supervisor for less than 90 days, and that supervisor cannot adequately assess the employee’s performance, he/she shall secure the written views of the employee’s prior supervisor before making a performance determination. A copy of this document will be given to the employee. Except in rare and unusual circumstances, the WIGI will be granted as soon as the employee is eligible unless the employee was informed in writing: During the most recent progress review; or, In no event later than at least 60 calendar days before the end of the statutory waiting period for eligibility for a WIGI that his/her performance is below an acceptable level of competence and, unless his/her performance improves, the WIGI will be denied. In those rare and unusual circumstances when the supervisor does not give 60 calendar days advance notice and the WIGI is delayed, the supervisor will reconsider the employee’s level of competence not later than 60 calendar days after the date on which the employee completed the required waiting period, If the employee’s level of competence is acceptable, the WIGI will be made retroactively effective on its original due date. If at the end of the 60 calendar days, the employee’s performance is not at an acceptable level of competence for the purpose of approving the WIGI, the employee will be given a written notice which will include: An indication that the employee’s work has been reviewed; A statement that the employee’s work has been determined to be of a less than acceptable level of competence; An identification of those elements where the employee’s performance has resulted in denial of the WIGI; A statement that the employee has a right to request, in writing, a reconsideration of the negative determination, provided the request is made within 15 days of the employee’s receipt of the negative determination; The name of the reconsideration official to whom the employee may submit a request; A statement that the employee may have a local union representative when presenting a request to the reconsideration official; A statement that the employee may appeal via the appropriate procedure the basis for the negative determination in person and/or in writing; and, An explanation that the employee may be considered for a WIGI at any time during the next 26 calendar weeks if the employee demonstrates an acceptable level of competence. Exceptions Delays of Acceptable Level of Competence Determinations - The employee shall be informed in writing whenever his/her acceptable level of competence determination is being delayed in accordance with OPM regulations. The employee shall be informed of the reasons for delay and the specific requirements for performance at the acceptable level of competence. Waiver of Requirement to Make Acceptable Level of Competence Determinations - An acceptable level of competence determination shall be waived and a WIGI granted when an employee had not served for at least 90 days in any position under an applicable agency appraisal system during the final 52 weeks of the waiting period for the reasons specified in 5 CFR 531.409(d). Redeterminations After a WIGI has been withheld, the Department may grant a WIGI at any time after it determines that the employee has demonstrated performance at an acceptable level of competence. In such cases, the WIGI will be effective the first day of the first pay period after the acceptable determination is made.