6 U.S.C. § 411 — Establishment of human resources management system

(a) Authority. Congress states its sense that Department of Homeland Security employees should help meaningfully shape any human resources system that affects them. Employees know their jobs best and have a direct stake in making the system work efficiently. Congress believes the 21st-century system envisioned for the Department should draw on employee input, and that this kind of collaboration will help protect the homeland. (Paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection are omitted from the Code.) (b) Effect on personnel. For full-time employees (other than special government employees) and part-time employees who hold permanent positions, transferring to the Department under this chapter cannot cause them to be separated from their job or have their grade or pay reduced, for one year after the transfer — except where this chapter specifically allows it. If an employee held a position paid under the Executive Schedule (chapter 53 of title 5) right before transferring, and is then appointed, without a break in service, to a Department position with comparable duties, that employee must keep being paid at least the rate for the new position for as long as they hold it. Any use of authority under chapter 97 of title 5 — including any human resources system set up under that chapter — must follow the requirements of this subsection.