(a) Employee. An employee may appeal by writing to the Office directly, or by forwarding the appeal through the employing agency.

(b) Referral of an employee appeal to the Office. An agency shall forward, within 60 calendar days of its receipt in the agency, and employee's appeal filed through the agency to the Office when:

(1) The employee has directed the appeal to the Office and the agency's written decision is not favorable; or

(2) The agency is not authorized to act on the employee's appeal; or

(3) The agency has not decided the appeal within the established time period.