§3322. Voluntary separation before resolution of personnel investigation
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Latest Jul 12, 2026 NOW As originally enacted Dec 23, 20165 U.S.C. § 3322
With respect to any employee occupying a position in the competitive service or the excepted service who is the subject of a personnel investigation and resigns from Government employment prior to the resolution of such investigation, the head of the agency from which such employee so resigns shall, if an adverse finding was made with respect to such employee pursuant to such investigation, make a permanent notation in the employee’s official personnel record file. The head shall make such notation not later than 40 days after the date of the resolution of such investigation.
Prior to making a permanent notation in an employee’s official personnel record file under subsection (a), the head of the agency shall—
notify the employee in writing within 5 days of the resolution of the investigation and provide such employee a copy of the adverse finding and any supporting documentation;
provide the employee with a reasonable time, but not less than 30 days, to respond in writing and to furnish affidavits and other documentary evidence to show why the adverse finding was unfounded (a summary of which shall be included in any notation made to the employee’s personnel file under subsection (d)); and
provide a written decision and the specific reasons therefore to the employee at the earliest practicable date.
An employee is entitled to appeal the decision of the head of the agency to make a permanent notation under subsection (a) to the Merit Systems Protection Board under section 7701.
If an employee files an appeal with the Merit Systems Protection Board pursuant to subsection (c), the agency head shall make a notation in the employee’s official personnel record file indicating that an appeal disputing the notation is pending not later than 2 weeks after the date on which such appeal was filed.
If the head of the agency is the prevailing party on appeal, not later than 2 weeks after the date that the Board issues the appeal decision, the head of the agency shall remove the notation made under paragraph (1) from the employee’s official personnel record file.
If the employee is the prevailing party on appeal, not later than 2 weeks after the date that the Board issues the appeal decision, the head of the agency shall remove the notation made under paragraph (1) and the notation of an adverse finding made under subsection (a) from the employee’s official personnel record file.
In this section, the term “personnel investigation” includes—
an investigation by an Inspector General; and
an adverse personnel action as a result of performance, misconduct, or for such cause as will promote the efficiency of the service under chapter 43 or chapter 75.
Notes, amendments, and revision history
(Added Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title XI, § 1140(a), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2470.)
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
A prior section 3322, Pub. L. 89–554, Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 422, related to temporary appointments after age 70 in the competitive service, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 95–256, § 5(b)(1), Apr. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 191, effective Sept. 30, 1978.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title XI, § 1140(b), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2471, provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [enacting this section] shall apply to any employee described in section 3322 of title 5, United States Code, (as added by such subsection) who leaves the service after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 23, 2016].”