Anonymous wrote:My agency has told us that we can't do internal reassignments, i.e., cannot move someone from one office to another office even if they would have exact same title, pay, etc.
It doesn't make any sense but that is what we are hearing.
That is against the explicit instructions in the executive order.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/01/23/presidential-memorandum-regarding-hiring-freeze
In carrying out this memorandum, I ask that you seek efficient use of existing personnel and funds to improve public services and the delivery of these services. Accordingly, this memorandum does not prohibit making reallocations to meet the highest priority needs and to ensure that essential services are not interrupted and national security is not affected.
Reallocations means internal reassignments.
And the OMB guidance on the executive order:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/01/31/federal-civilian-hiring-freeze-guidance
3. Exemptions. The following exemptions to the Federal civilian hiring freeze are permitted:
[...snip...]
o. Reallocations (i.e., noncompetitive reassignments and details) of current Federal civilian employees within an agency to meet the highest priority needs (including preservation of national security and other essential services) are not affected. Details (reimbursable and non-reimbursable) between agencies are also not affected; however, agency leadership should ensure that any reimbursable details between agencies are not being used to circumvent the intent of the hiring freeze.
p. Term and temporary appointments of existing Federal employees may be extended up to the maximum allowable time limit, consistent with the conditions/requirements of the legal authority originally used to appoint the employee.
This means that agencies can shift existing civil service employees as needed to fulfill the greatest need for the agency. It also means that the government can continue with details as needed to temporarily fill positions of high need without actually permanently moving someone into the position. This is especially helpful to assign someone with a lower grade to help fulfill certain job functions of a higher position in the interim when they cannot hire a higher grade person to permanently fill the role.