Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that increases the probationary period for employees in the competitive services or senior executive services, effective 1 year after the bill's enactment.

Highlights:

• Increases the probationary period for new employees in the competitive services or senior executive services from 1 year to 2 years after the completion of required training and licensing (Secs. 2 and 3).

• Requires employing agencies in the competitive and senior executive services to do the following (Sec. 2):

• Clearly explain the probationary period in any job posting or offer of employment;

• Tell employees in probationary positions the expectations in order to be retained;

• Notify supervisors 30 days before the end of a probationary period; and

• Certify satisfactory completion of probationary periods for employees that agencies retained after the end of the period.

• Authorizes employees to be removed during the probationary period for unsatisfactory performance or conduct under a more expedient process - only requiring the employing agency to provide a written notice of termination (Secs. 2 - 4).

• Requires individuals in the competitive service to complete a probationary or trial period and 2 years of current continuous employment in the same or similar position in order to be covered by adverse action procedures for misconduct (Sec. 4).

• Prohibits individuals in the competitive service from appealing to the Merit Systems Protection Board to remove or reduce a grade based on unacceptable performance until they have completed the above requirements (Secs. 2 and 4).

• Specifies that this legislation will take effect 1 year after its enactment and would apply only to individuals whose service begins after the bill takes effect (Secs. 2 - 4).

Full Bill Text

Full Bill Text