The Office of Personnel Management has issued a new rule aimed at protecting federal employees from potential political interference in their job security. The regulation, announced on Thursday, prevents career civil servants from being reclassified as political appointees or other at-will workers, making it more challenging to dismiss them from their positions.
This move comes in response to former President Donald Trump's executive order known as Schedule F, which sought to reclassify tens of thousands of federal employees and reduce their job security protections. President Joe Biden nullified Schedule F upon taking office, but concerns remain about the potential impact if Trump were to reintroduce it in a second term.
The rule is designed to counter any future Schedule F order by outlining procedural requirements for reclassifying federal employees and affirming that civil service protections cannot be revoked, regardless of job type. It also clarifies that policymaking classifications apply to noncareer, political appointments.
The National Treasury Employee Union obtained documents suggesting that workers in various roles, such as office managers and specialists in human resources and cybersecurity, could have been subject to reclassification under Schedule F. The new rule has been praised by good government groups, liberal think tanks, and activists who see it as crucial for safeguarding federal worker protections.
The rule, which spans 237 pages, is set to take effect next month after receiving public feedback and review. While some conservative organizations have opposed the rule, the majority of public comments were supportive. The Office of Personnel Management emphasized that federal employees play a vital role in serving the American people and should not be subject to political agendas.
This development is seen as a significant step in ensuring the independence and professionalism of the federal workforce. By solidifying protections for civil servants, the rule aims to prevent arbitrary dismissals and maintain the integrity of government agencies in delivering services to the public.
