OPM orders federal agencies to fire probationary employees

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has directed federal agencies to begin terminating employees still in their probationary period, which typically lasts one to two years, despite some having been employed for over a year. This directive represents a shift from previous guidance that allowed for dismissals only in cases of poor performance. An OPM spokesperson emphasized that probationary status is not a guarantee of permanent employment and that agencies are acting in response to a hiring freeze and efforts to streamline government operations. The latest order could affect around 200,000 federal employees, with the OPM itself terminating approximately 70 of its own probationary staff. Despite the directive, an OPM official later indicated that not all probationary employees need to be fired, suggesting some discretion remains for agencies. This change comes amid broader federal workforce reduction initiatives under the Trump administration, including buyout offers for federal workers.