253.46—Promotion, demotion, reassignment, and transfer.
(a)
Appointing officers may, in their discretion, promote, demote, reassign, or transfer employees who are serving under Canal Area Career or Career-Conditional Appointments, subject to the provisions of this section and in accordance with the appropriate qualification standards established by the PAPB for the position. Such actions will be based solely on the merit of the employee and upon his qualifications and fitness to hold the positions concerned. Such actions for employees serving under temporary or term appointments will be subject to such regulations as the agency may prescribe. In preparing such regulations the agency will be guided by the instructions published for the competitive service in the Federal Personnel Manual.
(b)
Employing agencies shall establish a promotion plan for all employees which is consistent with the Panama Canal Treaty and insofar as practicable, with the provisions of the merit promotion plan developed by the Office of Personnel Management for the competitive service.