OPM tells agencies to fire federal workers on probation – Washington Examiner
The Trump administration has instructed federal agencies to terminate employees who have been on probation for over a year. The Office of Personnel management (OPM) emphasized that the probationary period serves as an extension of the hiring process, not an automatic pathway to permanent employment. This directive aligns with the administration’s broader strategy to reduce the federal workforce and reform government operations for greater efficiency. As part of this initiative, some agencies, including the Department of energy, have already begun to implement layoffs of probationary staff. Although employees had a chance to advocate for thier retention with statements, restrictions were placed on how many could be kept on staff.
Trump administration tells agencies to fire federal workers on probation
The Office of Personnel Management met with agencies across the federal government on Thursday and directed them to fire all employees still on probation a year or more after being hired.
Federal employees can be on probation from one to two years after being hired.
“The probationary period is a continuation of the job application process, not an entitlement for permanent employment. Agencies are taking independent action in light of the recent hiring freeze and in support of the President’s broader efforts to restructure and streamline the federal government to better serve the American people at the highest possible standard,” an OPM spokesperson told the Hill.
The outlet cited a person familiar with the agency with saying that all probationary employees will be fired “with some exceptions.”
The move appears to be another step in the Trump administration’s cutdown of the federal workforce in an attempt to save money across the federal government. A deferred resignation offer enticed tens of thousands of federal employees to resign in exchange for pay and benefits through September.
OPM has already made its moves to fire probationary employees, commanding them to leave the office by 3 p.m. Thursday. OPM has also closed its communications office and placed all those employees on administrative leave, including its web team.
Other government agencies, such as the Department of Energy, have already also made their moves regarding probationary employees, ordering most to be fired.
Officials had the opportunity to vouch for some employees with a 200-word statement, but caps have still been placed on how many can be retained.
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