Topic: Politics
by MPeriod
Posted 9 months ago
This article covers the following topics:
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump reversed his earlier directive to federal agencies regarding the termination of probationary employees. This change is primarily due to a ruling by a judge indicating that the mass firings were likely illegal.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM), responsible for federal human resources, issued updated guidance to federal agencies. In this guidance, OPM claims that it never mandated the termination of probationary employees, stating:
“Please note that, by this memorandum, OPM is not directing agencies to take any specific performance-based actions regarding probationary employees. Agencies have ultimate decision-making authority over, and responsibility for, such personnel actions.”
U.S. District Judge William Alsup ruled that OPM did not have the authority to enforce these mass firings. The new OPM guidance aims to clarify that the decision to fire employees lies solely with the individual agencies. This is an effort to avoid further legal challenges.
Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, stated that the revised guidance shows the Trump administration is aware of its illegal actions. He urged agencies to reinstate employees who were wrongfully terminated:
“Every agency should immediately rescind these unlawful terminations and reinstate everyone who was illegally fired.”
The updated guidance raises questions about the status of employees who have already been terminated. Some agencies, such as the National Science Foundation, are looking to rehire employees affected by the OPM's directive. One affected employee expressed disappointment at learning about their reinstatement through unofficial channels:
“What a joke, finding out from colleagues and online — and not directly.”
The updated OPM memo also outlines how agencies can utilize administrative leave to manage employee terminations. Agencies have until September 13 to adjust their internal policies in line with OPM's regulations.
Various federal labor unions are actively pursuing legal action to prevent these probationary firings and have challenged the White House's authority to make such employment decisions. Julie Wilson from the National Treasury Employees Union emphasized that the government has not followed proper procedures in these terminations.