5 CFR §351.604

1. (a)An agency may furlough a competing employee only when it intends within 1 year to recall the employee to duty in the position from which furloughed.
2. (b)An agency may not separate a competing employee under this part while an employee with lower retention standing in the same competitive level is on furlough.
3. (c)An agency may not furlough a competing employee for more than 1 year.
4. (d)When an agency recalls employees to duty in the competitive level from which furloughed, it shall recall them in the order of their retention standing, beginning with highest standing employee.