Heads up for Phase 2 Scholars: probationary period memo

[Phase 2 Scholars]

https://chcoc.gov/sites/default/files/G ... 0-2025.pdf

OPM sent out guidance demanding a list from each agency of all employees who have served less than 2 years in excepted service. This likely includes all SMART scholars who started Phase 2 in the last two years. The memo also mentions employees on appointments with "not to exceed" dates, which would apply to some scholars even past that 2 year mark.

Agencies were instructed to "promptly determine whether those employees should be retained at the agency."

The OMP, in consultation with OPM and DOGE, will submit a plan to reduce the size of the Federal Government's workforce by sometime mid-April. The list provided to the OPM will specify a group of people who can be easily removed from government service legally without justification and without violating union agreements.

No one knows what the workforce reduction plan will look like, and there are other ways to shrink the government workforce without terminating the employment of the people on this list, but given the risks, it would be wise to prepare your resume and possibly some cover letters.

[nick57688]

Hello,

I just started my Phase 2 at my SF in Sept 2024. I am in a "Not to exceed 3 year" excepted service position. If my position is cut or eliminated, will the SMART program reassign me, and if so do I get a say in where I go?

Thanks for any advice.

[Phase 2 Scholar]

Hey, Nick. I don't have any insider knowledge here so I'm just speculating based on what information is publicly available.

Being a term employee starting in September 2024, you are affected by two different risks:
1) You are still in your two-year probation period, so your rights upon termination are limited, and you might not get much advance notice. Could happen at any time.
2) The government could choose to not extend your employment or convert you to permanent at the end of your term.

In either case, the SMART program would be unlikely to reassign you. No other government agency would be obligated to take you on, and they'd likely be suffering under the same federal workforce reduction plan your agency terminated your employment over.

I would speculate that SMART would forgive your Phase 2 service obligation, since the government would be refusing to allow you to complete your side of the bargain.

[nick57688]

Thanks for the reply, I'll just have sit tight like everyone else.

[AnonymousM]

The link to pdf says Page Not Found.

Does anyone know of any probationary SMART Phase2 who has been terminated?