1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Modern Employment, Reform, Improvement, and Transformation Act of 2018 or the MERIT Act of 2018 . 2. Alternative removal for performance or misconduct (a) In general Chapter 75 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: VI Alternative removal for performance or misconduct 7551. Removal for performance or misconduct (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Employee The term employee means any individual covered by subchapter II or V of this chapter. (2) Misconduct The term misconduct includes neglect of duty, malfeasance, failure to accept a directed reassignment, the commitment of a prohibited personnel practice, a violation of protocol, and failure to accompany a position in a transfer of function. (b) Authority The head of an agency may remove an employee from the civil service if the head of the agency determines the performance or misconduct of the individual warrants the removal. (c) Procedure (1) In general Not later than 7 days and not earlier than 21 days before taking a personnel action described in subsection (b) against an employee, the head of the agency employing the employee shall provide the employee with— (A) notice in writing of the proposed personnel action, including the reasons for the proposed action and the forecasted final date of employment