The Trump administration has taken a controversial step by instructing federal agencies to dismiss probationary employees, drawing criticism from unions and rights groups.
The acting director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has instructed agency heads to commence the termination of federal employees who are on their probationary period, according to a source privy to the decision. This move may come as a sudden shock to these employees, whose probationary period typically spans a year or more after their initial hiring.
However, an OPM spokesperson clarified to Scripps News that 'the probationary period is a continuation of the job application process, not an entitlement for permanent employment.' They added, '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.'Unions representing government workers have vehemently condemned this decision, vowing to challenge the firings 'every step of the way.' Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, stated, 'Despite OPM's guidance earlier this week advising agencies not to engage in sweeping terminations, the administration has plowed forward.' He further asserted that 'Employees were given no notice, no due process, and no opportunity to defend themselves in a blatant violation of the principles of fairness and merit that are supposed to govern federal employment.'This development marks the latest action in a nationwide drive to shrink the administrative workforce. This week, federal workers faced a deadline: either remain in their positions or accept a buyout offer. The government pledged that those opting for the buyout would receive their salaries through September. However, unions and civil rights groups swiftly filed lawsuits to halt the buyout proposal, arguing that it was unconstitutional and expressing concerns that it might not be honored. President Donald Trump also signed an executive order on Tuesday aimed at drastically reducing the federal workforce. This order mandates that for every four positions eliminated, the government can only hire one new position. The White House stated that the order directs the government to eliminate agencies or portions of agencies whose 'functions aren’t required by law.
FEDERAL EMPLOYEES HIRING FREEZE PROBATIONARY PERIOD GOVERNMENT REORGANIZATION UNION CONFLICTS
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