UPDATE: OPM Finalizes Rule on Removal Executive Order

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) recently instituted final regulations that would make it easier for agencies to discipline and fire federal employees. The final rule, set to go into effect on November 21st, was created based on President Trump’s Executive Order 13839 from 2018. The rule streamlines the process by which agencies can demote employees. Additionally, agencies can fire employees for unacceptable performance and no longer have to provide an improvement period longer than the law requires.

Employees cannot engage in settlements with the agency and the timeframe in which employees can respond to allegations has been shortened as well. The rule includes a provision by which supervisors cannot retaliate against whistleblowers.