On January 20, 2025, OPM issued a memo entitled “Guidance on Probationary Periods, Administrative Leave and Details”. The memo asked agencies to provide information on the number of probationary employees and how agencies could use administrative leave.
OPM wrote in the memo:
Placing an employee on paid administrative leave may be an appropriate action where the agency component in which the employee works is being eliminated or restructured, or where the agency weighs changes to the individual’s role at the agency as part of a workforce realignment.
On March 4, 2025, OPM revised the original memo. The memo has the same title, and the original memo is no longer posted on the internet but has been replaced by the newer version with a revised date—but still posted on chcoc.gov under the January 20th date.
The new memo has added this sentence: “a probationer’s conduct and performance have established that the individual will be an asset to the Government.”
The new version also includes this statement that was not in the previous version:
Please note that, by this memorandum, OPM is not directing agencies to take any specific performance-based actions regarding probationary employees. Agencies have ultimate decision-making authority over, and responsibility for, such personnel actions.
This statement clarifies OPM is not mandating any actions regarding probationary employees....
has moved to calm the nerves of millions of social grant beneficiaries following the circulation of a fake video on social media, which "falsely claims that all recipients must re-register or risk...