Federal Managers Association

In the News

• OPM urges ‘objective’ ratings in employee awards under new performance rules - August 14, 2025

• The new policies called for restarting the Presidential Rank Awards in fiscal 2026, but emphasized performance metrics “be differentiated in a meaningful and objective manner” to recognize federal employees.

  Carten Cordell, Government Executive

  Updated guidance from the Office of Personnel Management called on agencies to budget for federal employee awards commending outstanding work in fiscal 2026, but reiterated a new focus on distinguishing what that performance looks like.
  
  In a Monday memo from OPM director Scott Kupor, the guidance called on agencies to utilize both existing monetary and non-monetary awards programs to ensure “only those individuals who have demonstrated genuinely exceptional individual performance and contributions to the agency receive the largest performance awards and pay adjustments.”
  

  To read the full article, click here.

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