Hey friend,
The rules governing federal terminations are shifting dramatically.
Effective September 2nd, the OPM assumes "sole and exclusive" authority over appeals for layoffs, probationary terminations, and suitability dismissals, stripping the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) of its oversight.
The New Process: RIF and probationary appeals will go to OPM’s Merit System Accountability and Compliance (MSAC) office, bypassing traditional independent administrative judges.
The Controversy: Despite 99% public opposition during the comment period, OPM moves forward, sparking heavy criticism over a potential conflict of interest (acting as both workforce policymaker and judge).
Backlog Concerns: With OPM staffing down roughly 35% in recent years, critics fear appeals will face permanent backlogs or quick administrative rejections.
What Affected Workers Must Do: You have 30 days to appeal directly through OPM instructions on your notice (as no e-filing portal currently exists), carrying the heavy burden of proof to show the agency acted unlawfully.
🪖Veteran Preference Problem
A senior director at the General Services Administration (GSA) was placed on administrative leave after criticizing federal hiring rules on LinkedIn, specifically targeting veterans’ preference as a roadblock to recruiting private-sector cloud and software experts.
The Controversy: The official argued that veteran hiring mandates are “brutally unfair” because managers are often forced to offer jobs to veterans before considering non-veterans, highlighting widespread frustration among federal hiring managers.
The Rules & Workarounds: While veterans’ preference adds 5 to 10 points to qualified candidates and enables special hiring paths like VRA (Veterans Recruitment Appointment) and VEOA (Veterans Employment Opportunities Act), agencies can bypass it using Direct Hiring Authorities or complex “pass-over” requests.
The Impact on Tech Modernization: Critics of the system warn that rigid hiring laws and depleted HR departments hinder GSA’s ability to modernize digital and cloud infrastructure, though supporters emphasize that veterans possess robust technical skills and that the preference honors service sacrifices.
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✋Increase in Discrimination?
The rules governing federal hiring are undergoing a massive transformation. The OPM has eliminated the Uniform Guidelines on Employee Selection Procedures (UGESP) from all federal personnel regulations, following a DOJ opinion declaring the decades-old framework unconstitutional.
The Shift Away from “Disparate Impact”: For nearly 50 years, UGESP required agencies to track statistical outcomes (such as the “four-fifths rule”) to root out “hidden bias” in neutral tests and physical requirements. That framework is now gone.
The New Standard: OPM Director defended the change, emphasizing that federal hiring will now focus strictly on individual merit, qualifications, and performance, aligning with a broader push to replace self-assessments with standardized USA Hire technical exams.
The Controversy: Workforce advocates warn that eliminating the framework makes workplace discrimination much harder to track and challenge, as candidates lose a key mechanism to question exclusionary or poorly designed hiring assessments.
Timeline & Status: The interim final rule is effective immediately, though a 60-day public comment window remains open through late September. While comments will not suspend or change the rule, they establish an official record for anticipated future legal challenges.
🤝Hiring Events
August 7th from 12pm – 1pm EST
Join the United States Public Health Service for a virtual informational session. The USPHS Commissioned Corps is a uniformed service of health professionals protecting and promoting the public health by serving in key federal health agencies. Officers play vital roles in disease prevention, emergency response, health policy, and medical research, often deploying to address crises like disasters and outbreaks.
Participants are commissioned as ensigns (O-1) and receive full pay and benefits during their final academic year, in exchange for an active-duty service commitment. After graduation and licensure, they begin full-time assignments in federal agencies.
Learn more here
August 8th from 8am – 8pm EST
FCI Atlanta Training Center, 601 McDonough Boulevard Southeast, Atlanta, GA 30315
You are invited to attend the Direct Hire Event for Correctional Officers, Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners. Their team will be on-site to guide you through the application process, review your resume, and help you navigate USAJOBS. If you meet the qualifications, you could begin the hiring process the same day.
Learn more here
August 12th from 11:30am – 1pm EST
You are invited to an a Department of Treasury online event where they will delve into the world of federal careers and the opportunities available for students. Join them to discover the various paths you can take to kickstart your career in government. Learn from an experienced professional and get valuable insights on how to navigate the federal job market.
Learn more here
August 12th from 12pm – 2pm CST
Join the IRS for a virtual information session to learn about entry-level customer support positions exclusively for these three service centers (Fresno, CA & Memphis, TN). You’ll learn the day-to-day duties, the experience and/or education needed to qualify, tips on how to write an effective federal resume. They will have a Q&A session where you can engage directly with IRS employees and hiring staff.
Learn more here
🏆Success Story
Watch the last Q&A livestream: here
📝 Download Federal Resume Examples & Interview Guide: https://payhip.com/ArmandCuret
📓Get the Government Job Secrets Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D695NKCN
📲 Schedule a call with me: https://clarity.fm/armandcuret
📧 E-mail me: federalresumemasterclass@gmail.com