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Probationary Period

Politics, Probationary Employees, and Courts: Federal Optimization Politics on Full Display

FedSmith.com author Ralph R. SmithBy Ralph R. SmithMar 2, 2025 9:23 AM | Updated: Mar 4, 2025 6:42 PM Categories Court Cases Leave a comment
Close up of a judge's hands signing a document while he sits at his desk; justice scales and a wooden gavel are seen in the foreground

The circumstances involving probationary employees resemble a soap opera of personal and political drama. This weekend, a court ruled the Special Counsel’s firing illegal.

OSC Seeks Intervention in Alleged Improper Terminations of Some Probationary Federal Employees

FedSmith.com author Ian SmithBy Ian SmithFeb 24, 2025 4:38 PM | Updated: Feb 26, 2025 8:11 AM Categories Court Cases Leave a comment
Wooden judge's gavel on a desk with a row of law books in the background

OSC has requested that MSPB pause terminations of six probationary federal employees, alleging violations of federal laws and merit system principles.

Appeals After Firing Probationary Employees: What Are Their Rights?

FedSmith.com author Ralph R. SmithBy Ralph R. SmithFeb 21, 2025 8:18 AM Categories Human Resources Leave a comment
A gavel and a name plate with the engraving Employment Law

The federal government has removed thousands of employees during a probationary period. Will traditional appeals be followed?

Probationary Period Federal Employees Facing An Uncertain Future

FedSmith.com author Ralph R. SmithBy Ralph R. SmithJan 23, 2025 11:13 AM | Updated: Feb 16, 2025 12:49 PM Categories Human Resources Leave a comment
Businessman standing behind a digital screen labeled 'human resources' with various icons depicting parts of the HR system including training, leadership, employee, recruiting

An OPM memo asking for the number of probationary employees and uses of administrative leave is important as a precursor to reducing size of the federal workforce.

You Can Run, But You Cannot Hide

FedSmith.com author Susan McGuire SmithBy Susan McGuire SmithMar 21, 2024 9:19 AM Categories Court Cases Leave a comment
Wooden judge's gavel on a desk next to two law books

A probationary employee at the Bureau of Prisons ducked agency attempts to notify her of her termination during probation. But did this work to save her job?

Are Whistleblowers More Likely to Be Fired if They Are Probationary Employees?

FedSmith.com author Ian SmithBy Ian SmithMay 28, 2020 3:57 PM | Updated: Jun 9, 2020 11:36 AM Categories Human Resources Leave a comment
Coach's whistle and a stopwatch

A GAO report attempted to determine if whistleblowers are more likely to be fired when they are in probationary status.

Probation in the Time of Pandemic

FedSmith.com author Robbie KunreutherBy Robbie KunreutherMay 13, 2020 9:02 AM | Updated: May 24, 2020 1:31 PM Categories Human Resources Leave a comment
Face to face meeting at a desk between a supervisor and an employee; the supervisor is studying some papers with his back to the camera as the employee faces him and listens

The author says that during the time of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, effective use of the probationary period is more important than ever.

OPM Proposes Changes to Federal Employee Removal Process

FedSmith.com author Ralph R. SmithBy Ralph R. SmithSep 17, 2019 2:15 PM | Updated: Feb 21, 2020 12:28 PM Categories Human Resources Leave a comment
Businessman leaving his office after termination of employment

OPM has issued a proposed rule to enable faster removal of federal employees in different situations.

Extending Probationary Periods For Most Hires Is Not Needed

By Jeff NealJul 1, 2019 2:40 PM | Updated: Mar 6, 2024 1:37 PM Categories Human Resources Leave a comment
Illustration of a row of 6 illustrations of business people figures with the word 'human resources' in the background

The author says that while extending the probationary period for federal employees is a popular proposal, it is really not needed.

Making Better Use of the Probationary Period

By Laura ShugrueJul 9, 2018 10:14 AM | Updated: May 16, 2019 10:53 AM Categories Human Resources Leave a comment
Booklet labeled 'human resources' sitting on a wooden table with a pen, glasses and cup of coffee

The MSPB has found that the probationary period is not extensively used, but there are steps agencies can take to utilize it more effectively.

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