Trump Administration Proposal Threatens Federal Job Protections for Veterans
A new proposal by the Trump administration aims to overhaul federal layoff protocols, potentially stripping decades-old job protections from hundreds of thousands of military veterans. Currently, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) prioritizes veteran status and length of service over performance reviews during reductions in force. The proposed rule would reverse this order, allowing non-veteran employees with slightly higher performance ratings to displace veterans, including those with service-connected disabilities. Veterans comprise over 25% of the federal workforce, with approximately 60% being disabled. Critics, including Disabled American Veterans (DAV), condemn the move as an unlawful departure from statutory frameworks that recognize military service. Scott Hope of DAV argues the policy exceeds OPM’s authority and destabilizes employment for experienced staff crucial to delivering benefits. The proposal is currently open for public comment until May 4, sparking significant debate over the balance between merit-based retention and statutory preferences for those who served in the military.
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Trump Administration Proposal Threatens Federal Job Protections for Veterans
A new proposal by the Trump administration aims to overhaul federal layoff protocols, potentially stripping decades-old job protections from hundreds of thousands of military veterans. Currently, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) prioritizes veteran status and length of service over performance reviews during reductions in force. The proposed rule would reverse this order, allowing non-veteran employees with slightly higher performance ratings to displace veterans, including those with service-connected disabilities. Veterans comprise over 25% of the federal workforce, with approximately 60% being disabled. Critics, including Disabled American Veterans (DAV), condemn the move as an unlawful departure from statutory frameworks that recognize military service. Scott Hope of DAV argues the policy exceeds OPM’s authority and destabilizes employment for experienced staff crucial to delivering benefits. The proposal is currently open for public comment until May 4, sparking significant debate over the balance between merit-based retention and statutory preferences for those who served in the military.
Newsweek