When the ALJ wants a FO employee to be a witness, the ALJ sends a memorandum (original
and one copy) to the FO through the Regional Commissioner (RC), and one copy directly
to the Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) Regional Office. In an emergency, and with
the approval of the RC, the ALJ may send the request directly to the FO, Attention:
District Manager. Allow the employee official time to attend the hearing and requires
no subpoena. If the FO cannot spare the employee, advise the ALJ; and the ALJ may
allow the employee to submit a written testimony.
NOTE: At the ALJ's discretion, FO employees may attend a hearing as spectators. The RC
and the OHO Regional Office decides conditions of attendance. If the SSA employee
wants to attend the hearing of a relative or friend, see GN 03980.005.