# Planning and Conducting a RIF Course (Self-Paced)

Canonical URL: <https://www.graduateschool.edu/courses/planning-and-conducting-a-rif-course-self-paced>

## Overview

Learn the mechanics of properly executing a reduction in force (RIF). Know what to do when an agency abolishes positions, separates or downgrades employees due to a reorganization, lack of work, shortage of funds, or insufficient personnel ceiling. Run a mock RIF to determine the impact of various decisions on employee entitlements and agency structure. Learn about appeal procedures, priority placement programs, and employee reemployment and restoration rights. The content of this course focuses on the RIF procedures described in 5 CFR 351. It does not cover the Department of Defense procedures established by the NDAA 2016.

## What you'll learn

- Define basic terms such as competitive area, competitive level, retention register, bumping, and retreating.
- Describe the basic procedures used in a reduction in force (RIF).
- Establish a retention register.
- Apply the RIF actions of displacement, retreating, bumping, and separation in a RIF.
- Explain pay implications in an RIF.
- Explain special employment programs for displaced employees.
- Identify when a proposed reorganization will result in a transfer of function, and determine management and employee rights in a transfer of function.
- Recognize RIF actions by agencies that are subject to RIF appeal, explain the appeals procedure, and cite current relevant case law.

## Curriculum

#### Module 1: RIF Overview

- Introduction to the concept of RIF, including its triggers such as lack of work, shortage of funds, and reorganization.
- Learn the definitions of competitive areas and competitive levels, and understand how they determine who competes for retention in a RIF.
- Explore the different retention factors and how they influence retention standing: tenure, veterans' preference, service computation date, and performance.

#### Module 2: RIF Mechanics

- Learn about the competitive areas and levels, and how these are used to establish the order of employees who will be affected by RIF actions.
- Understand the roles of bumping and retreating in the RIF process, and how they allow employees to displace others in different positions based on seniority and qualifications.
- Explore the retention standing process, including how to rank employees in competitive levels and how to apply RIF actions (demotion, separation, furlough, etc.).

#### Module 3: Employee Benefits in RIF

- Understand the employee benefits that are affected by a RIF, including retirement benefits, severance pay, and health insurance continuation (FEHB).
- Learn the legal rights and protections available to employees during and after a RIF, including protections under USERRA and veteran’s preference rules.

#### Module 4: Transfer of Function

- Learn about the concept of transfer of function and how it applies in the context of RIF.
- Understand when a transfer of function occurs and the employee rights associated with these transitions, including placement rights and seniority considerations.

#### Module 5: Appeal Rights Under RIF

- Examine the appeal process available to employees who are affected by a RIF, including the steps they can take to challenge decisions made during the RIF process.
- Learn about the relevant case law and how it impacts RIF appeals, including how to cite and reference applicable legal decisions.

## Pricing

**Tuition:** $1549