US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

5 U.S.C. § 3502

Order of retention

(a)
The Office of Personnel Management shall prescribe regulations for the release of competing employees in a reduction in force which give due effect to—
(1)
tenure of employment;
(2)
section 3501(a)(3) of this title military preference, subject to ;
(3)
length of service; and
(4)
efficiency or performance ratings.
In computing length of service, a competing employee—
(A)
who is not a retired member of a uniformed service is entitled to credit for the total length of time in active service in the armed forces;
(B)
who is a retired member of a uniformed service is entitled to credit for—
(i)
the length of time in active service in the armed forces during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized; or
(ii)
the total length of time in active service in the armed forces if he is included under section 3501(a)(3)(A), (B), or (C) of this title; and
(C)
is entitled to credit for—
(i)
service rendered as an employee of a county committee established pursuant to section 8(b) of the Soil Conservation and Allotment Act or of a committee or association of producers described in section 10(b) of the Agricultural Adjustment Act; and
(ii)
service rendered as an employee described in section 2105(c) if such employee moves or has moved, on or after , without a break in service of more than 3 days, from a position in a nonappropriated fund instrumentality of the Department of Defense or the Coast Guard to a position in the Department of Defense or the Coast Guard, respectively, that is not described in section 2105(c).
(b)
section 2108(3)(C) of this title A preference eligible described in who has a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more and whose performance has not been rated unacceptable under a performance appraisal system implemented under chapter 43 of this title is entitled to be retained in preference to other preference eligibles.
(c)
An employee who is entitled to retention preference and whose performance has not been rated unacceptable under a performance appraisal system implemented under chapter 43 of this title is entitled to be retained in preference to other competing employees.
(d)
(1)
Except as provided under subsection (e), an employee may not be released, due to a reduction in force, unless—
(A)
such employee and such employee’s exclusive representative for collective-bargaining purposes (if any) are given written notice, in conformance with the requirements of paragraph (2), at least 60 days before such employee is so released; and
(B)
if the reduction in force would involve the separation of a significant number of employees, the requirements of paragraph (3) are met at least 60 days before any employee is so released.
(2)
Any notice under paragraph (1)(A) shall include—
(A)
the personnel action to be taken with respect to the employee involved;
(B)
the effective date of the action;
(C)
a description of the procedures applicable in identifying employees for release;
(D)
the employee’s ranking relative to other competing employees, and how that ranking was determined; and
(E)
a description of any appeal or other rights which may be available.
(3)
Notice under paragraph (1)(B)—
(A)
shall be given to—
(i)
1
1 See References in Text note below.
the State or entity designated by the State to carry out rapid response activities under section 134(a)(2)(A) of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998;  and
(ii)
the chief elected official of such unit or each of such units of local government as may be appropriate; and
(B)
shall consist of written notification as to—
(i)
the number of employees to be separated from service due to the reduction in force (broken down by geographic area or on such other basis as may be required under paragraph (4));
(ii)
when those separations will occur; and
(iii)
1 any other matter which might facilitate the delivery of rapid response assistance or other services under title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998.
(4)
1 The Office shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out this subsection. The Office shall consult with the Secretary of Labor on matters relating to title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998.
(e)
(1)
Subject to paragraph (3), upon request submitted under paragraph (2), the President may, in writing, shorten the period of advance notice required under subsection (d)(1)(A) and (B), with respect to a particular reduction in force, if necessary because of circumstances not reasonably foreseeable.
(2)
A request to shorten notice periods shall be submitted to the President by the head of the agency involved, and shall indicate the reduction in force to which the request pertains, the number of days by which the agency head requests that the periods be shortened, and the reasons why the request is necessary.
(3)
No notice period may be shortened to less than 30 days under this subsection.
(f)
(1)
The Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of a military department may—
(A)
separate from service any employee who volunteers to be separated under this subparagraph even though the employee is not otherwise subject to separation due to a reduction in force; and
(B)
for each employee voluntarily separated under subparagraph (A), retain an employee in a similar position who would otherwise be separated due to a reduction in force.
(2)
The separation of an employee under paragraph (1)(A) shall be treated as an involuntary separation due to a reduction in force.
(3)
An employee with critical knowledge and skills (as defined by the Secretary concerned) may not participate in a voluntary separation under paragraph (1)(A) if the Secretary concerned determines that such participation would impair the performance of the mission of the Department of Defense or the military department concerned.
(4)
The regulations prescribed under this section shall incorporate the authority provided in this subsection.
(5)
No authority under paragraph (1) may be exercised after .

Pub. L. 89–55480 Stat. 428Pub. L. 90–367, § 382 Stat. 278Pub. L. 90–623, § 1(23)82 Stat. 1313Pub. L. 95–454, title III, § 307(e)92 Stat. 1149Pub. L. 99–251, title III, § 306(a)100 Stat. 27Pub. L. 101–508, title VII, § 7202(c)104 Stat. 1388–335Pub. L. 102–484, div. D, title XLIV, § 4433(a)(1)106 Stat. 2721Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title X110 Stat. 430Pub. L. 104–201, div. A, title XVI, § 1609110 Stat. 2738Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, § 101(f) [title VIII, § 405(d)(1), (f)(1)]112 Stat. 2681–337Pub. L. 106–398, § 1 [[div. A]114 Stat. 1654Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title XI, § 1102119 Stat. 3447Pub. L. 110–417122 Stat. 4617Pub. L. 113–66, div. A, title XI, § 1103127 Stat. 885(, , ; , , ; , , ; , title IX, § 906(a)(2), , , 1224; , , ; , , ; , , ; , §§ 1034, 1043(d)(1), , , 438; , , ; , , , 2681–417, 2681–429; , title XI, § 1103], , , 1654A–311; , , ; , [div. A], title XI, § 1105, , ; , , .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Derivation

U.S. Code

Revised Statutes and

Statutes at Large

(a)

5 U.S.C. 861(a) (less 2d and 3d provisos), (c).

June 27, 1944, ch. 287, § 12 (less 2d and 3d provisos), 58 Stat. 390.

Aug. 19, 1964, Pub. L. 88–448, § 202 (1)–(3), (4) (“(c)”), 78 78 Stat. 486.

(b)

5 U.S.C. 861(a) (2d proviso).

June 27, 1944, ch. 287, § 12 (2d proviso), 58 Stat. 390.

In subsection (a), the words “reduction in force” are substituted for “reduction in personnel”. The words “in any civilian service of any Federal agency” are omitted as unnecessary because of the application stated in section 3501. In the second sentence, the word “total” in the phrase “length of service” is omitted for consistency with paragraph (3), and the words “subject to subsection (c) of this section” are omitted as unnecessary in view of the supplied distinction between a competing employee who is not a retired member of a uniformed service and such an employee who is a retired member of a uniformed service. In paragraph (A), the words “total length of time in active service” are substituted for “length of time spent in active service” for consistency with paragraph (B)(ii).

In subsections (a) and (b), the references to “performance” ratings and ratings of “satisfactory” are added on authority of former section 2005, which is carried into section 4304.

Standard changes are made to conform with the definitions applicable and the style of this title as outlined in the preface to the report.

Editorial Notes

References in Text

section 590h(b) of Title 16Section 8(b) of the Soil Conservation and Allotment Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(C)(i), probably means section 8(b) of the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act, which is classified to , Conservation.

section 610(b) of Title 7Section 10(b) of the Agricultural Adjustment Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(C)(i), is classified to , Agriculture.

Pub. L. 105–220112 Stat. 936Pub. L. 113–128, title V128 Stat. 1703section 2864(a)(2)(A) of Title 29section 3361(a) of Title 29Pub. L. 113–128128 Stat. 1425The Workforce Investment Act of 1998, referred to in subsec. (d)(3), (4), is , , , and was repealed by , §§ 506, 511(a), , , 1705, effective . Title I of the Act was classified principally to former chapter 30 (former § 2801 et seq.) of Title 29, Labor. Section 134(a)(2)(A) of the Act was classified to former . Pursuant to , references to a provision of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 are deemed to refer to the corresponding provision of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, , , , effective . For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

Amendments

Pub. L. 113–662013—Subsec. (f)(5). substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 110–4172008—Subsec. (f)(5). substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 109–1632006—Subsec. (f)(5). substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 106–3982000—Subsec. (f)(5). substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 105–277, § 101(f) [title VIII, § 405(f)(1)(A)(i)]1998—Subsec. (d)(3)(A)(i). , added cl. (i) and struck out former cl. (i) which read as follows: “the appropriate State dislocated worker unit or office (referred to in section 311(b)(2) of the Job Training Partnership Act), or the State or entity designated by the State to carry out rapid response activities under section 134(a)(2)(A) of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998; and”.

Pub. L. 105–277, § 101(f) [title VIII, § 405(d)(1)(A)(i)], added cl. (i) and struck out former cl. (i) which read as follows: “the appropriate State dislocated worker unit or units (referred to in section 311(b)(2) of the Job Training Partnership Act); and”.

Pub. L. 105–277, § 101(f) [title VIII, § 405(f)(1)(A)(ii)]Subsec. (d)(3)(B)(iii). , struck out “under the Job Training Partnership Act or” before “under title I of”.

Pub. L. 105–277, § 101(f) [title VIII, § 405(d)(1)(A)(ii)], substituted “other services under the Job Training Partnership Act or under title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998” for “other services under the Job Training Partnership Act”.

Pub. L. 105–277, § 101(f) [title VIII, § 405(f)(1)(B)]Subsec. (d)(4). , struck out “the Job Training Partnership Act or” before “title I of”.

Pub. L. 105–277, § 101(f) [title VIII, § 405(d)(1)(B)], substituted “Secretary of Labor on matters relating to the Job Training Partnership Act or title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998” for “Secretary of Labor on matters relating to the Job Training Partnership Act”.

Pub. L. 104–106, § 1043(d)(1)1996—Subsec. (a)(C)(ii). , substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 104–201Subsec. (f). amended subsec. (f) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (f) read as follows:

“(f)(1) The Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of a military department may—

“(A) release in a reduction in force an employee who volunteers for the release even though the employee is not otherwise subject to release in the reduction in force under the criteria applicable under the other provisions of this section; and

“(B) for each employee voluntarily released in the reduction in force under subparagraph (A), retain an employee in a similar position who would otherwise be released in the reduction in force under such criteria.

“(2) A voluntary release of an employee in a reduction in force pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be treated as an involuntary release in the reduction in force.

“(3) An employee with critical knowledge and skills (as defined by the Secretary concerned) may not participate in a voluntary release under paragraph (1) if the Secretary concerned determines that such participation would impair the performance of the mission of the Department of Defense or the military department concerned.

“(4) The regulations prescribed under this section shall incorporate the authority provided in this subsection.

“(5) The authority under paragraph (1) may not be exercised after .”

Pub. L. 104–106, § 1034, added subsec. (f).

Pub. L. 102–4841992—Subsecs. (d), (e). added subsecs. (d) and (e).

Pub. L. 101–508section 590h(b) of title 16section 610(b) of title 71990—Subsec. (a)(C). amended subpar. (C) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (C) read as follows: “is entitled to credit for service rendered as an employee of a county committee established pursuant to , or of a committee or an association of producers described in .”

Pub. L. 99–2511986—Subsec. (a)(C). struck out “who is an employee in or under the Department of Agriculture” before “is entitled to credit”.

Pub. L. 95–454, § 906(a)(2)1978—Subsec. (a). , substituted “Office of Personnel Management” for “Civil Service Commission”.

Pub. L. 95–454, § 307(e)Subsec. (b). , substituted provisions relating to retention of a preference eligible with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more, for provisions relating to retention of preference eligible employees on the basis of ratings.

Pub. L. 95–454, § 307(e)Subsec. (c). , added subsec. (c).

Pub. L. 90–623section 590h(b) of title 16section 610(b) of title 716 U.S.C. 590h(b)48 Stat. 371968—Subsec. (a). made minor changes in form and punctuation in subpars. (A) and (B), and, in subpar. (C), substituted “” and “” for “section 8(b) of the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act ()” and “section 10(b) of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of ()” respectively.

Pub. L. 90–367Subsec. (a)(C). added subsec. (a)(C).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1998 Amendment

Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, § 101(f) [title VIII, § 405(g)]112 Stat. 2681–337Pub. L. 106–400, § 2114 Stat. 1675

“(1)

Immediately effective amendments .—

lsection 665 of Title 18section 5855 of Title 22section 2102 of Title 29section 6703 of Title 31section 3304 of Title 26section 1721 of Title 29section 4101 of Title 38The amendments made by subsections (a) through (d) [amending this section and sections 2014, 2015, and 2026 of Title 7, Agriculture, sections 1255a and 1613 of Title 8, Aliens and Nationality, sections 636, 1022a, 3116, and 3151 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade, section 79 of Title 16, Conservation, , Crimes and Criminal Procedure, sections 2296 and 2311 of Title 19, Customs Duties, sections 1070d–2, 1087vv, 3443, 5934, 5938, 6365, 6434, 6453, and 6455 of Title 20, Education, , Foreign Relations and Intercourse, , Labor, , Money and Finance, sections 4102A, 4103A, and 4213 of Title 38, Veterans’ Benefits, and sections 603, 1437u, 1474, 3013, 3056, 3056a, 3056h, 3796ee, 4368a, 4953, 4959, 6103, 6864, 6873, 7274h, 9806, 11302, 12637, 12653c, 12655m, 12899c, 12899e, and 13823 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, amending provisions set out as notes under sections 1183a and 1522 of Title 8, sections 1143, 2391, 2501, 2701, and 2687 of Title 10, Armed Forces, , Internal Revenue Code, , and , and repealing provisions set out as notes under sections 1501 and 1551 of Title 29] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [].
“(2)

Subsequently effective amendments.—

“(A)

Mckinney-vento homeless assistance act .—

The amendments made by subsection (e) shall take effect on .
“(B)

Job training partnership act .—

section 2102 of Title 29section 6703 of Title 31section 3304 of Title 26section 1721 of Title 29section 4101 of Title 38The amendments made by subsection (f) [amending this section and sections 2014, 2015, and 2026 of Title 7, Agriculture, sections 1255a and 1613 of Title 8, Aliens and Nationality, sections 636 and 3116 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade, sections 2296 and 2311 of Title 19, Customs Duties, sections 1070d–2, 1087vv, 6365, 6434, 6453, and 6455 of Title 20, Education, , Labor, , Money and Finance, sections 4102A, 4103A, and 4213 of Title 38, Veterans’ Benefits, and sections 603, 1437u, 1474, 3013, 3056, 3056a, 3056h, 3796ee, 4368a, 4953, 4959, 6864, 6873, 7274h, 9806, 11302, 12653c, 12655m, 12899c, and 13823 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, and amending provisions set out as notes under sections 1183a and 1522 of Title 8, sections 1143, 2501, 2687, and 2701 of Title 10, Armed Forces, , Internal Revenue Code, , and ] shall take effect on .”
, , , 2681–434, as amended by , , , provided that:

Effective Date of 1996 Amendment

Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title X, § 1043(d)(2)110 Stat. 438

section 8347 of this title“Notwithstanding any provision of subsection (c) [set out as a note under ], the amendment made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall—
“(A)
take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act []; and
“(B)
apply with respect to any reduction in force carried out on or after such date.”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 1992 Amendment

Pub. L. 102–484, div. D, title XLIV, § 4433(a)(2)106 Stat. 2722

“The amendment made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to any personnel action taking effect on or after the last day of the 90-day period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act [].”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 1990 Amendment

Pub. L. 101–508section 2105(c) of this titlesection 7202(m)(1) of Pub. L. 101–508section 2105 of this titleAmendment by applicable with respect to any individual who, on or after , moves from employment in nonappropriated fund instrumentality of Department of Defense or Coast Guard, that is described in , to employment in Department or Coast Guard, that is not described in section 2105(c), or who moves from employment in Department or Coast Guard, that is not described in section 2105(c), to employment in nonappropriated fund instrumentality of Department or Coast Guard, that is described in section 2105(c), see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1978 Amendment

Pub. L. 95–454section 907 of Pub. L. 95–454section 1101 of this titleAmendment by effective 90 days after , see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1968 Amendment

Pub. L. 90–623section 6 of Pub. L. 90–623section 5334 of this titleAmendment by intended to restate without substantive change the law in effect on , see , set out as a note under .

Regulations

section 1043(d)(1) of Pub. L. 104–106section 1043(b) of Pub. L. 104–106section 8347 of this titleFor provisions relating to promulgation of regulations necessary to carry out amendment by , see , set out as a Regulations; Effective Date of 1996 Amendment note under .

Transfer of Functions

section 542 of Title 6For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 468(b), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of , as modified, set out as a note under .

Interagency Placement Program for Federal Employees Affected by Reductions in Force

Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title X, § 1066108 Stat. 2850Pub. L. 108–271, § 8(b)118 Stat. 814

“(a)

Study and Report .—

(1)
The Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall conduct a study on the feasibility of establishing a mandatory interagency placement program for Federal employees affected by reductions in force.
“(2)
For purposes of paragraph (1), an interagency placement program is a program that provides a system to require the offering of a position in an agency to an employee of another agency affected by a reduction in force if—
“(A)
the position cannot be filled through a placement program of the agency in which the position is located;
“(B)
the employee to whom the offer is made is qualified for the offered position; and
“(C)
the geographic location of the offered position is within the commuting area of—
“(i)
the residence of the employee; or
“(ii)
the employee’s present or last-held position.
“(3)
The Director shall carry out this subsection in consultation with the Secretary of Defense.
“(4)
The Director shall seek comments from the heads of all appropriate Federal agencies in conducting the study required by paragraph (1).
“(5)
Not later than six months after the date of the enactment of this Act [], the Director shall submit to Congress a report on the results of the study required by paragraph (1) and on any action taken by the Director under subsection (b).
“(b)

Agreements To Establish Interagency Placement Program .—

(1)
The Director may establish a Government-wide interagency placement program for Federal employees affected by reductions in force if, during the 6-month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act [], the Director, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, determines that such a program is feasible. To carry out the program, the Director may enter into an agreement with the head of each agency that agrees to participate in the program. If the Director establishes a program under this subsection, it is not necessary that the program be an interagency placement program within the meaning of subsection (a)(2).
“(2)
If the Director establishes a program pursuant to paragraph (1), the report required by subsection (a)(5) shall identify each agency that does not agree to participate in the program and the reasons of the head of that agency for not agreeing to participate.
“(c)

Definitions .—

For purposes of this section:
“(1)
section 105 of title 5 The term ‘agency’ means an Executive agency as defined in , United States Code, except that such term does not include the Government Accountability Office.
“(2)
The term ‘Federal employees affected by reductions in force’ means Federal employees who are separated, or are scheduled to be separated, from service under a reduction in force pursuant to—
“(A)
section 3502 of title 5 regulations prescribed under , United States Code; or
“(B)
procedures established under section 3595 of such title.”
, , , as amended by , , , provided that:

Special Rule on Application of Subsections (d) and (e)

Pub. L. 102–484, div. D, title XLIV, § 4433(b)106 Stat. 2722Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title III, § 341(a)108 Stat. 2720

“(1)
The provisions of section 3502(d) and (e) of title 5, United States Code (as added by subsection (a)) shall apply to employees of the Department of Defense according to their terms, except that, with respect to any reduction in force within that agency that would involve the separation of a significant number of employees (as determined under paragraph (1)(B) of such section 3502(d)), any reference in such section 3502(d) to ‘60 days’ shall, in the case of the employees described in paragraph (2), be deemed to read ‘120 days’.
“(2)
The employees described in this paragraph are those employees of the Department of Defense who are to be separated, due to a reduction in force described in paragraph (1), effective on or after the last day of the 90-day period referred to in subsection (a)(2) [see Effective Date of 1992 Amendment note above] and before .
“(3)
Nothing in this subsection shall prevent the application of the amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] with respect to an employee if—
“(A)
the preceding paragraphs of this subsection do not apply with respect to such employee; and
“(B)
the amendment made by subsection (a) would otherwise apply with respect to such employee.
“(4)
The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out this subsection.”
, , , as amended by , , , provided that:

Indian Preference Laws Applicable to Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Service Positions

section 5117(a) of Title 25Applicability of Indian preference laws to Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Service positions for purposes of reduction-in-force procedures under subsec. (a) of this section, see , Indians.

Executive Documents

Ex. Ord. No. 12828. Delegation of Certain Personnel Management Authorities

Ex. Ord. No. 12828, , 58 F.R. 2965, as amended by Ex. Ord. No. 13415, § 2(b), , 71 F.R. 70641, provided:

section 301 of title 3By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including of the United States Code and sections 3502(e), 4505a(e), and 5377(i)(2) of title 5 of the United States Code, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. The Office of Personnel Management is designated and empowered to exercise, without the approval, ratification, or other action of the President, the following:

5 U.S.C. 3502(e)section 4433 of Public Law 102–484(1) The authority of the President under , as added by , to shorten the period of advance notice otherwise required by law with respect to reductions in force.

5 U.S.C. 4505a(e)section 2(19) of Public Law 102–378(2) The authority of the President under , as added by , to permit performance-based cash awards to be paid to categories of employees who would not otherwise be eligible.

Sec. 2. This order shall be effective immediately.