Personnel Practices
Retroactive Appointments and Pay Adjustments in the Executive Office of the President Gao ID: T-GGD-94-32 October 22, 1993Earlier this year, allegations surfaced concerning the backdating of White House appointments and salary adjustments. GAO testified that 230 White House appointments and 22 salary increases were made retroactively between January and April 1993. Although retroactive, these appointments and salary adjustments were legal. In GAO's view, however, Congress may want to consider amending title 3 of the U.S. Code to clarify the intended scope of the President's authority concerning retroactive pay adjustments. GAO also identified several irregular personnel and pay actions, including the double payment of 25 workers, the improper advancement of annual leave, the keeping of an employee on the payroll after his temporary appointment had expired, and several salary overpayments.