10 Change in status to a lower grade may be either by reclassification of the position, or, by reassignment to a different position of a lower grade. The latter normally occurs for one of three reasons:
- at the request of the staff member (or by agreement with him) in order to provide a more satisfactory assignment, for either official or personal reasons;
- as a result of unsatisfactory performance, unsuitability for international service or misconduct, which necessitates moving a staff member to a less responsible position; or
- as an alternative to termination, resulting from the reassignment process described in Staff Rule 1050.
20 A staff member shall be notified by letter in advance of any reduction in grade or salary, the notice period being the same as that specified for termination in Staff Rule 1050.3. The HR Administrator GSC will process the administrative action confirming the reduction in grade.
30 Such administrative actions when relating to unsatisfactory performance or unsuitability for international service are processed only after the staff member has been given official notice and an opportunity to reply. Such reply by the staff member must be made in writing within eight calendar days of receipt of the notification. In those cases in which a staff member offers a justification in reply to a notification, the supervisor must confirm whether or not the decision is maintained, and only then can the appropriate administrative action be initiated by the supervisor and processed by the HR Administrator, GSC. The notification provisions concerning misconduct are stated in Staff Rule 1130.
40 Upon reduction in grade, the salary and the effective date are fixed in accordance with Staff Rules 320.3.1 or 320.3.2, and 380.3. The date of the next within-grade increase remains unchanged when the step in the lower grade is determined in accordance with Staff Rule 320.3.1. When the step is determined in accordance with Staff Rule 320.3.2 the date of the next within-grade increase is fixed at the first of the month nearest to the completion of the unit of service time required at that step.
Restoration to a grade previously held
50 A staff member whose grade has been reduced may subsequently be restored to the grade previously held either by reassignment to another position or by reclassification of their current duties. On restoration to a grade formerly held, provided that the reduction in grade was not due to unsatisfactory performance, unsuitability for international service or misconduct, a staff member is placed at the grade and step they would have attained had they remained in the higher grade. The date of the within-grade increase remains unchanged.
