Federal Managers Association

In the News

• OPM Expands Guidance on New Probationary Employee Policies - August 18, 2025

• FEDweek

  Following are key sections of additional OPM guidance on Trump administration policies regarding retention of federal employees after their probationary periods, including that the policies apply to those hired before the executive order setting those policies who have not yet completed their probationary periods.

  Question: What are the key policies regarding probationary and trial periods set forth in the Executive Order?
  
  Answer: Agencies are to use probationary and trial periods as an extension of the hiring process that requires agency certification before employees continue their Federal employment beyond the probationary or trial period.
  
  Employees bear the burden of demonstrating why their continued employment through the finalization of their appointment is in the public interest.
  Agencies, in their sole and exclusive discretion, may consider four factors to assess whether an employee’s fitness for continued employment is in the public interest: the employee’s performance and/or conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether the employee’s continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether the employee’s continued employment would advance the efficiency of the service.

  To read the full article, click here.

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