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: Please provide me with the legal authority by which a personnel action can be authorized and issued for an employee who fails a PIP, is fired for poor performance and opts for a discontinued service or early retirement. A: The problem with an answer to your question is there is no specific legal authority. It used to be contained in the old federal personnel manual. The best I can do…