Strengthening Probationary Periods in the Federal Service

Date: April 24, 2025 Issued By: President Donald J. Trump

Overview

• Purpose: Enhance the effectiveness of probationary and trial periods for Federal employees to ensure only high-performing individuals receive tenure.
• Problem: Ineffective use of probationary periods leading to poor performers gaining tenure.
• Solution: Implement new Civil Service Rule XI to supersede previous regulations, requiring affirmative agency action to finalize employment.

Key Sections

Section 1. Purpose

• Federal workforce must be efficient, high-quality, and dedicated.
• Agencies have failed to effectively use probationary periods to screen employees.
• Proposed change: Require agency approval before tenure is granted.

Section 2. Repeal of Civil Service Rule 2.4

• Amendment to remove section 2.4 of part 2 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations.

Section 3. Civil Service Rule XI

• Scope: Applies to competitive and excepted service probationary periods, excluding Senior Executive Service.
• Probationary Periods: Required for first year of service in competitive service.
  • Includes employees appointed from competitive lists, reinstated employees, and those transferred/promoted.
• Trial Periods: Required for continuous service in excepted service.
  • Different rules for preference eligibles vs. others.
• Crediting Service: Prior service counts towards completion if certain criteria are met.
• Completion of Periods: Agencies must certify employees' continued employment benefits public interest.

Section 4. Modifications to the Civil Service Regulations

• Supersedes subpart H of part 315, rendering it inoperative.
• OPM to publish rule changes within 30 days.

Section 5. Review During Probationary and Trial Periods

• Agencies to evaluate employees nearing end of probationary periods.
• Certification required for continued employment.

Section 6. Effective Date

• Immediate effect, with certain provisions effective in 90 days.

Section 7. General Provisions

• Clarification on the impact and limitations of the order.

Implications

• Agencies must actively assess employees during probationary periods.
• New procedures aim to prevent underperformers from gaining tenure.
• Stronger accountability and oversight in employee evaluations.

Conclusion

This order emphasizes the need for accountability in Federal employment by ensuring only competent employees receive tenure, thus enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the Federal workforce.