Article 20
Details and Temporary Promotions

Section 20.01

For the purposes of this article, a detail is a temporary assignment for a specific period of time of a bargaining unit employee to a set of duties and responsibilities, within the bargaining unit, different from the ones permanently assigned. A detail may be at an equal, higher or lower grade level than the employee's permanent position. (There will be no adverse impact on an employee who is detailed to a lower grade.) Upon completion of the detail, the employee returns to his/her permanent position.

Details of more than thirty (30) days are documented on a Standard Form 52, Request for a Personnel Action. Employees to be detailed are to be given as much notice of details as possible, including any changes in performance expectations, awards criteria, pay levels, length of the detail, reporting structure, etc., as well as a copy of any documentation relevant to the detail. If a detail is extended beyond its original length, such an extension will be documented. In making details the parties will be mindful of their obligations under Article 37.02 F and J.

Section 20.02

An employee who is assigned to a higher graded position for more than one pay period will be temporarily promoted instead of detailed if the employee is otherwise eligible for the promotion. Details to higher graded positions or positions with known promotion potential, and temporary promotions longer than thirty (30) days are filled through the competitive procedures of Article 19, Merit Promotion, and the DOE Headquarters merit promotion plan.

Section 20.03

When an employee is detailed to a higher graded position for more than thirty (30) calendar days, but is not eligible for a temporary promotion, the employee's performance in the higher graded position may be cause for an award nomination. Supervisors are encouraged to give this serious consideration. Details under these circumstances will not exceed 120 days. Such details will not be abused, and will not be made for the purpose of avoiding appropriate compensation or competitive procedures.

Section 20.04

The Employer is responsible for determining which employees will be detailed to lower-graded positions. However, if management determines that the detail could be performed just as well by one or more employees, the employee from that group who wishes to do the work and who has the most Federal service will be detailed. If no employee in that group wants the detail, the employee with the least Federal service will be detailed. There will be no adverse impact on an employee who is detailed to a lower grade.

Section 20.05

The Employer shall serve each NTEU chapter president with notification of any details to unclassified sets of duties which are extended beyond 120 days.