(a) Time of filing. An appellant may request a stay of a personnel action allegedly based on whistleblowing at any time after the appellant becomes eligible to file an appeal with the Board under § 1209.5 of this part, but no later than the time limit set for the close of discovery in the appeal. The request may be filed prior to, simultaneous with, or after the filing of an appeal.

(b) Place of filing. Requests must be filed with the appropriate Board regional or field office as set forth in 5 CFR 1201.4(d).

(c) Service of stay request. A stay request must be simultaneously served upon the Board's regional or field office and upon the agency's local servicing personnel office or the agency's designated representative, if any. A certificate of service stating how and when service was made must accompany the stay request.

(d) Method of filing. A stay request must be filed with the appropriate Board regional or field office by mail, by facsimile, by commercial or personal delivery, or by electronic filing in accordance with § 1201.14 of this chapter.

(a) Only an appellant, his or her designated representative, or a party properly substituted under 5 CFR 1201.35 may file a stay request. The request may be in any format, and must contain the following:

(1) The name, address, and telephone number of the appellant, and the name and address of the acting agency;

(2) The name, address, and telephone number of the appellant's representative, if any;

(3) The signature of the appellant or, if the appellant has a representative, of the representative;

(4) A chronology of facts, including a description of the appellant's disclosure and the action that the agency has taken or intends to take;

(5) Where the appellant first sought corrective action from the Special Counsel, evidence that the stay request is timely filed;

(6) Evidence and/or argument showing that:

(i) The action threatened, proposed, taken, or not taken is a personnel action, as defined in § 1209.4(a) of this part;

(ii) The action complained of was based on whistleblowing or other protected activity as defined in § 1209.4(b) of this part; and

(iii) There is a substantial likelihood that the appellant will prevail on the merits of the appeal;

(7) Evidence and/or argument addressing how long the stay should remain in effect; and

(8) Any documentary evidence that supports the stay request.

(b) An appellant may provide evidence and/or argument addressing the question of whether a stay would impose extreme hardship on the agency.

(c) Agency response. (1) The agency's response to the stay request must be received by the appropriate Board regional or field office within five days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays) of the date of service of the stay request on the agency.

(2) The agency's response must contain the following:

(i) Evidence and/or argument addressing whether there is a substantial likelihood that the appellant will prevail on the merits of the appeal;

(ii) Evidence and/or argument addressing whether the grant of a stay would result in extreme hardship to the agency; and

(iii) Any documentation relevant to the agency's position on these issues.

(a) Hearing. The judge may hold a hearing on the stay request.

(b) Order ruling on stay request. (1) The judge must rule upon the stay request within 10 days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays) after the request is received by the appropriate Board regional or field office.

(2) The judge's ruling on the stay request must set forth the factual and legal bases for the decision. The judge must decide whether there is a substantial likelihood that the appellant will prevail on the merits of the appeal, and whether the stay would result in extreme hardship to the agency.

(3) If the judge grants a stay, the order must specify the effective date and duration of the stay.

(a) Duration of stay. A stay becomes effective on the date specified in the judge's order. The stay will remain in effect for the time period set forth in the order or until the Board issues a final decision on the appeal of the underlying personnel action that was stayed, or until the Board vacates or modifies the stay, whichever occurs first.

(b) Interim compliance. An agency must immediately comply with an order granting a stay request. Although the order granting a stay request is not a final order, petitions for enforcement of such orders are governed by 5 CFR part 1201, subpart F.