Civil Service FAQ Performance and Promotion 2

Question 1

Under the Civil Service Reform Act's performance management requirements, what must a supervisor communicate to an employee at the beginning of each appraisal period?

Accepted Answer

The critical elements and performance standards against which the employee will be appraised

Answer

Before each appraisal period begins, supervisors must communicate to employees the specific critical elements and measurable performance standards against which their performance will be evaluated, as required by 5 U.S.C. Chapter 43.

Question 2

What is 'within-grade increase' (WGI) eligibility based on?

Accepted Answer

A rating of record of at least 'Fully Successful' and completion of the required waiting period at the current step

Answer

Within-grade increases are step increases granted automatically after an employee completes the required waiting period (1, 2, or 3 years depending on the step) and receives a rating of record at or above 'Fully Successful' (Level 3 or equivalent).

Question 3

What is a 'Quality Step Increase' (QSI) and when is it awarded?

Accepted Answer

A non-competitive within-grade increase granted for sustained high-quality performance at the 'Outstanding' level

Answer

A Quality Step Increase (QSI) is an accelerated within-grade increase that advances an employee one step without waiting for the normal waiting period, awarded for sustained performance at the 'Outstanding' level — the highest performance rating.

Question 4

What is 'merit promotion' in federal service?

Accepted Answer

A competitive promotion process requiring agencies to evaluate candidates based on job-related criteria

Answer

Merit promotion is the competitive process by which current or former federal employees compete for promotion to higher-graded positions based on job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities, evaluated through a fair and objective process under OPM's merit promotion regulations.

Question 5

Under the performance-based actions provisions of the Civil Service Reform Act, what must an agency do before demoting or removing an employee for unacceptable performance?

Accepted Answer

Provide the employee with an opportunity to demonstrate acceptable performance through a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP)

Answer

Before taking a performance-based adverse action (demotion or removal), an agency must place the employee on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) — also called an Opportunity to Demonstrate Acceptable Performance — giving them a reasonable time and assistance to bring performance to an acceptable level.

Civil Service FAQ Practice Test

Civil Service FAQ Practice Test

Civil Service FAQ Performance and Promotion 2