531.405—Waiting periods for within-grade increase.
(a) Length of waiting period.
(1)
For an employee with a scheduled tour of duty, the waiting periods for advancement to the next higher step in all General Schedule grades (or the next higher rate within the grade, as defined in § 531.403) are:
(i)
Rate of basic pay less than the rate of basic pay at step 4-52 calendar weeks of creditable service;
(ii)
Rate of basic pay equal to or greater than the rate of basic pay at step 4 and less than the rate of basic pay at step 7-104 calendar weeks of creditable service; and
(iii)
Rate of basic pay equal to or greater than the rate of basic pay at step 7-156 calendar weeks of creditable service.
(2)
For an employee without a scheduled tour of duty, the waiting periods for advancement to the next higher step of all General Schedule grades (or the next higher rate within the grade, as defined in § 531.403) are:
(i)
Rate of basic pay less than the rate of basic pay at step 4-260 days of creditable service in a pay status over a period of not less than 52 calendar weeks;
(ii)
Rate of basic pay equal to or greater than the rate of basic pay at step 4 and less than the rate of basic pay at step 7-520 days of creditable service in a pay status over a period of not less than 104 calendar weeks; and
(iii)
Rate of basic pay equal to or greater than the rate of basic pay at step 7-780 days of creditable service in a pay status over a period of not less than 156 calendar weeks.
(3)
After a period of nonpay status or a break in service (alone or in combination) in excess of 52 calendar weeks, unless the nonpay status or break in service is creditable service under § 531.406 of this subpart.
(c)
A waiting period is not interrupted by non-workdays intervening between an employee's last scheduled workday in one position and his or her first scheduled workday in a new position.