Downgrade Grade 7 to 5-6

[msymonds]

Has anyone been part of a downgrade on a federal gov. position? I have been a Grade 7 for 5 years and now because of complaints from other employees at other VA hospitals who claim to having the same responsibilities and are at pay grade 5-6, we are being audited by HR. Our local union is also involved in the case. This is totally unfair since we work at one of the top VA Hospitals and serve a growing number of veterans.
If this action proceeds and we are downgraded, what are the chances of filing a class action suit?

I appreciate any input anyone might have.
Mary

 

[Callme_CO]

wow.....this is a small example of what's wrong with our country....it's become if you legally make a decent ammount of money then your considered evil in this country. They should be happy they have a job at all in this economy.

 

[James48843]

msymonds-

What you describe sounds like your internal HR review of possitions according to classification tables. The guiding materials about a classification appeal are here:

http://www.opm.gov/classapp/index.asp

Basically, it works like this:

In order to retain your GS-7, you would be wise to study the tables for classification for your job series. Classification in general is here:

http://www.opm.gov/fedclass/index.asp

What they are doing, internally as HR, is comparing your job duties and responsibilities, to the GS standards issued by OPM. If you match the duties of a GS-7 level, there should be no problem retaining the GS-7

If your duties only meet the standards for a 5 or a 6, they could downgrade your position. The only appeal you would have then is through the OPM appeals process.

Prior to the Bush Administration, appeals process claims went about 50/50 in favor of the emloyee. It was rare to non-existent that someone who was a 7, for example, and thought they should be a 9, would be REDUCED below a 7 as a result of an appeal.

Under the Bush years, that all changed. Many people who were a 7, and thought they should be a 9, appealed, and when OPM was done with them, OPM reduced them to a 6 or a 5.


I have not heard how the present OPM has been on classification appeals. There isn't as much publicity around them as there used to be.

Check out the standards for your job series, and see where you think you fit in the big picture. Make special note of the duties at a 7 level. When HR comes around to ask you to list the duties you do, be sure to include many that are off the 7-level charts, if you in fact do those. The classifier will record what you tell them you do- and you want to make sure you don't only tell them about the 5-6 level duties, but also about the -7 level duties you accomplish in the course of your day.

What job series is it, if I can ask?

 

[CapeChem]

Will she have save pay if downgraded? even though the position is downgraded she would be placed in the step level of 5/6 that causes no loss of money? I know that applies to most adverse actions of no fault of your own.

 

[Scout333]

Quote"Check out the standards for your job series, and see where you think you fit in the big picture. Make special note of the duties at a 7 level. When HR comes around to ask you to list the duties you do, be sure to include many that are off the 7-level charts, if you in fact do those. The classifier will record what you tell them you do- and you want to make sure you don't only tell them about the 5-6 level duties, but also about the -7 level duties you accomplish in the course of your day. "

James is exactly right. I have been through a "higher graded duties" grievance process. Suggest taking some time and writing down everything you do, especially higher level tasks. Then compare your narrative to the grade 7 job classification and restate where what you do matches the higher job classification using exact language in the job classification documents. Be prepared. Key to successfully maintaining your grade! It may come in handy at annual evaluation time also. If you have received performance awards the managerial writeups can be a good source of descriptions of tasks performed depending on how good a writer your immediate supervisor is. Good luck!

 

[James48843]

Will she have save pay if downgraded? even though the position is downgraded she would be placed in the step level of 5/6 that causes no loss of money? I know that applies to most adverse actions of no fault of your own.

The answer is- it depends. Probably, for two years, although the exact circumstances will be evaluated according to criteria in 5 CFR part 536.

First, here is the OPM page on Pay Retention:
http://www.opm.gov/oca/pay/html/pay_retention.asp


Second- here are the actual regulations (5 CFR) on both Grade and Pay retention rules. Two different issues- but both may be applicable to the situation, depending on exactly what they are doing, and who is doing it.

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title05/5cfr536_main_02.tpl


Good luck.

 

[sdouglas3]

The answer is- it depends. Probably, for two years, although the exact circumstances will be evaluated according to criteria in 5 CFR part 536.

First, here is the OPM page on Pay Retention:
http://www.opm.gov/oca/pay/html/pay_retention.asp


Second- here are the actual regulations (5 CFR) on both Grade and Pay retention rules. Two different issues- but both may be applicable to the situation, depending on exactly what they are doing, and who is doing it.

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title05/5cfr536_main_02.tpl


Good luck.

James,

Different subject. Would you happen to know why the TSP site didn't post the daily results on Apr 2nd?

Thanks,

Steve

 

[James48843]

James,

Different subject. Would you happen to know why the TSP site didn't post the daily results on Apr 2nd?

Thanks,

Steve

Yes - no numbers for April 2 because the stock markets were closed for Good Friday holiday.

Here is the list of NYSE holidays for 2010 and 2011.

View attachment 9159

​

 

[sdouglas3]

Yes - no numbers for April 2 because the stock markets were closed for Good Friday holiday.

Here is the list of NYSE holidays for 2010 and 2011.

View attachment 9159​

That's right! My bad. I forgot. Thanks James I knew you would have the answer.

Steve

 

[JimmyJoe]

Since we're all over the place on these topics, I'd like to add that I'm glad I'm out of the workforce, because it's a work farce.

 

[msymonds]

Thank you all for your assistance. I'm not sure what series I am in, James. I'm a patient service assistant-grade 7-step 5 at the VA hosp in Palo Alto. I have been employed for 9 yrs. total-almost 5 yrs at this grade 7 position. The HR person came yesterday and did an audit with the person chosen by my supervisor. I had no impact on what occurred-I was left out of the loop as many others were.
I wonder if I could contact HR and tell them to add my duty list to what they already have.

Thanks again for the support on this board.
Mary

 

[James48843]

Mary-

Not sure what a "patient service assistant" is exactly. There is no such thing in classification standards exactly- but that is not uncommon. Sounds like it might be close to a GS-0679 series- Medical Support Assistant. But that is more a medical records kind of administrative position, rather than direct care of patients. Not sure what yours is.

Here is the classification standard for that:

http://opm.gov/fedclass/html/gsseries.asp#0600

hope that helps.

 

[PessOptimist]

Your SF 50 will have the series code. If you don't have a copy you HR section should.