*Administration of Barack Obama, 2014 *

*January 31, 2014 *

*Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies *

*Subject:* Enhancing Safeguards to Prevent the Undue Denial of Federal Employment Opportunities to the Unemployed and Those Facing Financial Difficulty Through No Fault of Their Own

The Federal Government is America's largest employer. While seeking to employ a talented and productive workforce, it has a responsibility to lead by example. Although executive departments and agencies (agencies) generally can, and do, take job applicants' employment history and other factors into account when making hiring decisions, it is the policy of my Administration that applicants should not face undue obstacles to Federal employment because they are unemployed or face financial difficulties. The Government must continue to take steps to ensure the fair treatment of applicants, as well as incumbent Federal employees, who face financial difficulties through no fault of their own and make good faith efforts to meet those obligations. Therefore, I hereby direct as follows:

*Section 1*. *Individuals Who Are Unemployed or Facing Financial Difficulty*. (a) Agencies shall not make an unfavorable determination with respect to the suitability, fitness, or qualifications of an applicant for Federal employment because that applicant:

*Sec. 2*. *General Provisions*. (a) Nothing in this memorandum shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(iii) the authority granted by law, Executive Order, or regulation to a department or agency, or the head thereof, to determine eligibility for access to classified information or to occupy a sensitive position; or

(iv) the authority granted by law or Executive Order to a department or agency, or the head thereof, to take adverse actions against Federal employees for their failure to comply with any law, rule, or regulation imposing upon them an obligation to satisfy in good faith their just financial obligations, including Federal, State, or local taxes.

BARACK OBAMA [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 11:15 a.m., February 4, 2014]

NOTE: This memorandum was published in the *Federal Register* on February 5.

*Categories:* Communications to Federal Agencies : Federal employment opportunities for the unemployed, safeguards to prevent undue denial, memorandum*. *

*Subjects:* Government organizations and employees : Recruitment and retention, strengthening efforts.

*DCPD Number:* DCPD201400060.