Ask the Lawyer received the following question (paraphrased for easier reading and clarity) from a reader on a legal matter that might be of interest to the entire audience. Q: Can a federal employee’s full performance level promotion be denied after the initial probationary period expired without any prior notification of unsatisfactory performance? A: Yes. Full performance level or career ladder promotions have a different standard than probationary periods. The standard for full performance is the ability to perform at the next higher level. Generally speaking, an employee on a PIP has very limited recourse other than to try to…