Workforce
House panel advances bills extending probationary periods to two years
Democrats decried the measure as a Trojan horse aimed at more easily screening new federal workers and job seekers on ideological grounds.
Management
OPM reassures managers of ‘extremely narrow’ liability in performance management actions
The federal government’s HR agency reminded federal supervisors that they can be partially reimbursed for insurance against lawsuits that may arise from taking adverse actions against subordinates.
Management
‘Climate of fear': Immigration judges say functioning of their court system is in jeopardy due to Trump’s firings
The Trump administration is pushing out dozens of judges, who say the changes are slowing down and politicizing the system.
Management
Federal workforce losses are mounting, and agencies need a plan
COMMENTARY | As federal turnover grows, a former IRS human resources chief says agencies have a choice: let expertise slip away or invest in a stronger civil service.
Management
RFK pressured CDC to dismiss career scientists until they backed his views, ousted director says
HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy is putting politics ahead of science and risking Americans’ health, top officials pushed out and dismissed at CDC tell Congress.
Workforce
Trump's mass probationary firings were illegal, judge concludes, but he won't order re-hirings
Agencies will have to send new letters to 25,000 impacted staff explaining the decision.
Management
Federal agencies threaten, discipline employees for criticizing or mocking Charlie Kirk
The Trump administration is “tracking…very closely” social media posts suggesting Kirk should not be mourned, some agencies say.
Workforce
Feds fired en masse seek to compel oversight agency to investigate their cases
The Office of Special Counsel dropped the probationary worker appeals after Trump fired the agency's head.
Workforce
The Trump administration is considering notifying probationary employees they were fired for cause, actually
The proposal comes despite a new audit finding 99.5% of the 7,300 fired IRS probationers had received fully successful performance ratings, or no ratings at all.
Workforce
Amid staffing cuts, Forest Service wants seasonal firefighters to work more hours this year
One employee says the Trump administration is "scared as hell about staffing" as it enters peak wildfire season.
Management
‘The neutrality of the agency has been eliminated’: Stats-based feds decry BLS chief’s firing
Employees express concern Trump's firing of the commissioner, which followed a weak jobs report, will lead to future interference with their work.
Management
Trump admin. tells judge it can fire at least some career feds at any time for any reason
The administration is seeking to upend civil service protections long in place for federal employees.
Management
High case numbers could snarl federal employees who appeal their removals
The Merit Systems Protection Board reported that, so far this fiscal year, it has received 11,166 appeals, which is twice its typical workload. A backlog could emerge if a quorum is not restored to the agency to issue final decisions.
Oversight
Schumer requests probe into impact of staffing cuts on Texas flood response
The Trump administration denies the hundreds of reductions to the National Weather Service workforce had any effect on preparations.
Management
Cuts to FEMA and other agencies will lead to slow disaster response, former administrator says
“It just slows down the entire response and delays the recovery process from starting,” the previous FEMA chief said.
Workforce
OPM calls for quicker firings, more stringent performance standards
While experts agree that performance ratings in the federal government are inflated, the federal government’s HR agency’s proposal could exacerbate existing problems.
Workforce
Fired GSA 18F employees appeal to have jobs reinstated
The Trump administration has endeavored to streamline the agency’s contracting and procurement processes while putting in mechanisms to shed its workforce.
Workforce
Appeals board creates new path to renew reversals of probationary firings
At least some fired feds can pursue their case through a class action, administrative judge says.
Workforce
Agencies are violating the law on administrative leave, and taxpayers are paying the price
COMMENTARY | Administrative leave must be brief and directed toward furthering, not frustrating, agency operations.
Workforce