This bill helps federal workers who are let go while still in their "probationary" or trial period. Most new government jobs have a trial period of one or two years before the position becomes permanent and gains full job protections.
If a worker is separated from their job between January 20, 2025, and January 20, 2029, and then gets rehired to a similar role, they won't have to start their trial period over from day one. Instead, they will get credit for the time they already served.
The policy applies to employees in executive agencies who are rehired by their former agency into a job that is essentially the same as their old one. It ensures that their progress toward becoming a permanent employee is protected even if their service was interrupted.
This matters because permanent employees have much stronger job security and legal rights than those still on probation. This bill prevents workers from being stuck in a "permanent trial" phase if they are rehired after being fired or laid off during this four-year window.
Milestones
2 milestones2 actions
Mar 10, 2025Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Mar 10, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Protect Our Probationary Employees Act
Bill NumberS 918
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionRead twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
