New Employee Orientation revised 8 09 - Tampa, Florida

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

MISSION

"To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan." - Abraham Lincoln

This handbook provides an introduction to VA and its human resources policies, regulations, and benefits. It is to be used only as a source of general information and should not be considered definitive guidance since the policies, regulations, and benefits it describes may occasionally be revised or superseded. This handbook does not create any rights or obligations on the part of VA or any employee. Information concerning changes in Department or facility policies may be found at VA's Internet home page, located at . and at VA's Office of Human Resources Management Intranet Web page, . If you have specific questions about how these policies affect you, see your supervisor or your local Human Resources Management representatives. Employees covered by a collective bargaining unit are also advised to refer to their respective labormanagement agreements for additional information on subjects contained in this handbook. In all cases involving matters covered by this handbook, the relevant statutes, regulations, and statements of official VA policy shall prevail.

DID YOU KNOW THAT VA.......

Is the second largest of the 14 Cabinet departments?

Pays out most of its budget in checks directly to veterans and their dependents?

Serves as a backup to the Department of Defense medical system during national security contingencies and as a Federal support organization for the Federal Response Plan during catastrophic disasters?

Has facilities in all 50 states; Washington, DC; Puerto Rico; U.S. Virgin Islands; Guam; and the Philippines?

Has a workforce of approximately 225,000* employees, making it the Government's second largest civilian employer?

Has guaranteed more than 16 million home loans?

Operates one of the world's largest life insurance programs?

Still pays benefits to approximately 695 dependents and beneficiaries of SpanishAmerican War veterans?

Developed and implanted the first cardiac pacemaker?

Has received frequent international recognition including Nobel Prize awards to VA employees for work in hypertension, organ transplants, mental illness, spinal cord injury, and alcoholism?

Has administered GI Bill programs providing assistance to more than 20 million veterans and service members?

*as of September 2001

Table of Contents

I. The Department of Veterans Affairs

Background

1

Vision

2

Core Values

2

Strategic Goals

3

One VA Transformation

3

Administrations

3

VA Central Office

4

Shared Service Center

4

II. Your Appointment

Types of Appointments

5

Civil Service

5

Title 38

5

Hybrid

6

Positions in the General Schedule

6

Positions in the Federal Wage System

6

III. Your Job

Personnel Folder

8

Life Insurance

8

Health

8

Work Injuries

9

Employee Assistance Program

9

Miscellaneous

9

IV. Your Pay

Salary

10

Pay Periods, Pay Days, and Direct Deposit of Salary Payments

11

Deductions

11

Periodic Step or Within-Grade Increases

11

Hours of Duty

12

Overtime and Compensatory Time Off

12

V. Your Leave Benefits

Leave Systems (GS, FWS, SES, and VCS)

14

Title 38 Leave Systems

15

Holidays

15

Other Leave Matters

15

VI. Your Career

Training

16

Educational Opportunities in VHA

17

Educational Opportunities in VBA

18

Educational Opportunities in NCA

19

Merit Promotion

19

Career Transition Assistance Program

20

VII. Your Awards Program

Performance Evaluation

21

Employee Recognition and Awards

21

VIII. Your Rights

Labor Management Relations

23

Investigations

23

Alternative Dispute Resolution

23

Discipline and Adverse Actions

24

Grievance Procedures

24

Equal Opportunity

24

Employment of Disabled Veterans and

Other Individuals with Disabilities

25

Reductions-in-Force and Staff Adjustments

25

IX. Your Responsibilities

Standards of Conduct ? General

27

Conflict of Interest

27

Outside Employment

27

Government Property

27

Debts

28

Financial Statements

28

Political Activity

28

Solicitations and Sales

29

Intoxicating Beverages

29

Drug-Free Workplace Program

29

Other Conduct

29

Reporting Serious Irregularities and Criminal Acts

30

Whistleblower Protection

30

How to Contact the Office of the Inspector General

30

X. Your Safety

Occupational Safety and Health

32

XI. Your Retirement

Retirement

33

VA Locations

34

Federal Code of Ethics

37

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