GS time-in-grade question?

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harpole
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GS time-in-grade question?

Post by harpole »

If you were to voluntarily leave a position as GS-11 step 4 for a WG-11 step 5 and then later converted back to the "same" occupational series GS-11 as a Hybrid title 38 employee. Would the time spent at step 4 count as credit when being converted? This happened to me, and they placed me back to step 4, even though I already spend 13 months at step 4. Just after the conversion the HR supervisor told me that my time as step 4 counted as credit and that my time will start where I left off. However I never received my next WGI. HR now says the time period started over for step 4. Now they won't return any of my messages and the HR supervisor is no longer within the organization. I've been trying to get an answer from them for a month now.

Any HR specialists out there that can shed some light on this subject?

Thank you,

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Billionair
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Re: GS time-in-grade question?

Post by Billionair »

Not an HR Specialist, but Step 4 --> Step 5 needs two years big dog. It's only one year up till Step 4. However, the time shouldn't start over, but be credited to the eventual WGI to Step 5. So once you hit 104 weeks, you should be able to drop that knowledge to your Supervisor.
-What we do in Life, echoes in Retirement-

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harpole
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Re: GS time-in-grade question?

Post by harpole »

Billionair wrote:Not an HR Specialist, but Step 4 --> Step 5 needs two years big dog. It's only one year up till Step 4. However, the time shouldn't start over, but be credited to the eventual WGI to Step 5. So once you hit 104 weeks, you should be able to drop that knowledge to your Supervisor.

This is what I thought as well. Unfortunately, I'm now on week number 109. I just hope HR will figure it out and get back to me.

Thanks,

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cswift01
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Re: GS time-in-grade question?

Post by cswift01 »

harpole wrote:If you were to voluntarily leave a position as GS-11 step 4 for a WG-11 step 5 and then later converted back to the "same" occupational series GS-11 as a Hybrid title 38 employee. Would the time spent at step 4 count as credit when being converted? This happened to me, and they placed me back to step 4, even though I already spend 13 months at step 4. Just after the conversion the HR supervisor told me that my time as step 4 counted as credit and that my time will start where I left off. However I never received my next WGI. HR now says the time period started over for step 4. Now they won't return any of my messages and the HR supervisor is no longer within the organization. I've been trying to get an answer from them for a month now.

Any HR specialists out there that can shed some light on this subject?

Thank you,
If you have a MyBiz account, then it should show in there when you go to the next step. Also in my organization they screwed up my paperwork and placed me one year back (they even made me pay them back money and took money out of my TSP!). Now I'm waiting (for after death probably) when someone will return my money and my TSP investments.

My advice to you is two fold (1) check the wording for yourself because HR managers typically interpret things themselves. If you can find the wording of the regulation, then you might be able to help someone else understands what it says. (2) make sure you notify your union ASAP. These days I find that is the only way to get any type of recourse as many at the top prefer just to go on and on without fixing issues.

tsd1
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Re: GS time-in-grade question?

Post by tsd1 »

Never rely on HR, they are clueless in most cases. I had to research, and tell HR numerous times how to do their job. Try and get your Management to push through a QSI for you immediately after getting you next step. It's the gift that keeps on giving.

ProduceMan
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Re: GS time-in-grade question?

Post by ProduceMan »

What is a QSI?
Moneys’ Money Making Money (4M)

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harpole
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Re: GS time-in-grade question?

Post by harpole »

I've reached out to the union steward for advice and my supervisor pushed harder for HR to provide an update. They're response today was that the conversion "involved others within HR and that it will take time to resolve right away." I've also received top performance reviews over the last 4 years, so I know that's not the issue. Interestingly, HR just sent the following policies and principles out yesterday:
Good afternoon,

We received a notification on January 29, 2019 concerning performance ratings and Within Grade increases. It is mandatory that all employees have a performance rating coded into HR Smart. In order to meet OPM’s reporting requirement, annual ratings MUST be entered annually, regardless if the rating has changed or not. An annual rating can only be entered once a COMPLETE and ACCURATE Performance Appraisal or Proficiency Report has been submitted to Human Resources.

Effective immediately, Within Grade increases will not process unless the employee receiving the Within Grade increase has a CURRENT performance rating of Fully Successful or higher in HR Smart.

General Policies and Principles
(1) To be awarded a within-grade increase, an employee must meet all the following requirements established by 5 U.S.C. 5335:
(a) The employee must have completed the required waiting period of advancement to the next higher step rate of the grade of his or her position;
(b) The employee must not have received an equivalent increase during the waiting period;
(c) The employee's performance of the duties and responsibilities of his or her assigned position must be at an acceptable level of competence. To be determined at an acceptable level of competence,
the employee's most recent rating of record must be at least "Fully Successful".

From what I can tell, I've been a step 4 in the same occupational series for 109 weeks, instead of the 104 weeks. I meet (c) per my supervisor, but (b) sounds iffy.

It's not a big deal "yet," but I can see this dragging on or they determine that everything is correct on their end.

Thanks for the responses.
Never underestimate the true intentions and overreach of the regime.
Less Government, More Freedom!

quidam65
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Re: GS time-in-grade question?

Post by quidam65 »

ProduceMan wrote:What is a QSI?
QSI stands for "Quality Step Increase". It can be given as a performance award in lieu of a bonus. You can receive one at any time, which automatically bumps you up to the next step in your grade without having to wait the 1,2,3 years for it to happen, and starts the clock anew for your next grade. For example if you got your GS-12 Step 5 in 2018, you could get the Step 6 via QSI this year, then the Step 7 would come in 2021.

I actually received one during my tenure. I have heard they are not common.

tsd1
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Re: GS time-in-grade question?

Post by tsd1 »

I actually received 4 QSI's during my career. It was with 3 different agencies though, and I actually wrote all of them myself. I handed then to my supervisor and told him I earned this and if you agree please push it up the chain of command. As stated above HR has no clue what the regs are/say. More than once I've had to tell them what the regs were, and yes you can actually do that. Hired a GS9 at step 5 instead of step 1 after telling HR.... yes I can do that. Last 10 years of my career I wrote all my own performance appraisals, and gave them to my Supervisor for approval. Learn more than just your job ie your supervisor's, their manager's, and definetly HR regs/rules/laws and you'll go far. Oh, and make your boss look good while you do it.

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harpole
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Re: GS time-in-grade question?

Post by harpole »

Just an update on my previous posts in this thread. HR basically said that because I did a "voluntary" transfer from a GS to WG, that negates the time incurred during the previous GS step. Doesn't sound fair to me at all.
It seems extremely difficult to advance in government. I've written my own performance appraisals for the last 8 years and have had outstanding ratings for the last 4 years. Added another degree and certifications. Can't even get a step increase to match what I use to make while with the same agency. Crazy.
Never underestimate the true intentions and overreach of the regime.
Less Government, More Freedom!

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misfit
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Re: GS time-in-grade question?

Post by misfit »

A few years back I was on 2 year detail at one grade higher. When I returned back to my lower grade, HR told me that my 3 year step waiting period had to start all over again due to the detail. I only had a few months to go to get to the 3 years before the detail. It wouldn't have been worth while in the long run, but fortunately I got a QSI which put me where I should have been either way.

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IRQVET
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Re: GS time-in-grade question?

Post by IRQVET »

I was a GS-9 Step 2 when I took a position with another agency as a GS-11, Step 1. Then decided I hated my new agency and decided to lateral back to my old one. But because it was 4 months later they had to hire me back under a VRA appointment. When I got back to my agency they brought me back as a GS-9 Step 5. I guess there was an OPM rule that said since I was an GS-11 they had to give me a bump in pay when bringing me back. (Surprised the heck out of me)

Moral of the story, for me anyway, was to realize my current agency was really good and although promotional opportunities don't come up as frequently as I'd like, its better to stay put and wait rather than jump to a new agency which in my case was a complete mightmare.
Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran
Disclaimer: The contents of this thread are known to the state of California to cause cancer. (As they always seem to know more than the rest of us)

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harpole
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Re: GS time-in-grade question?

Post by harpole »

IRQVET wrote:I was a GS-9 Step 2 when I took a position with another agency as a GS-11, Step 1. Then decided I hated my new agency and decided to lateral back to my old one. But because it was 4 months later they had to hire me back under a VRA appointment. When I got back to my agency they brought me back as a GS-9 Step 5. I guess there was an OPM rule that said since I was an GS-11 they had to give me a bump in pay when bringing me back. (Surprised the heck out of me)

Moral of the story, for me anyway, was to realize my current agency was really good and although promotional opportunities don't come up as frequently as I'd like, its better to stay put and wait rather than jump to a new agency which in my case was a complete mightmare.
The grass isn't always greener and I'm going to stay put for the time being. I could make much more at other GOV facilities, but I have a fair amount of autonomy and that's hard to find in government.
Never underestimate the true intentions and overreach of the regime.
Less Government, More Freedom!

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IRQVET
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Re: GS time-in-grade question?

Post by IRQVET »

Grass just became greener for me. Just accepted a promotion (within my own agency) as a GS-12. I guess those three GS-11 details finally paid off. It's a good feeling to be able to jump two grades! :D
Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran
Disclaimer: The contents of this thread are known to the state of California to cause cancer. (As they always seem to know more than the rest of us)

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evilanne
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Re: GS time-in-grade question?

Post by evilanne »

Congrats IRQVet!

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