I know some Feds are looking to move jobs right now within the Government in an attempt to stay safer from RIF than you might think you are in your current position. But there are some things to know so you don't jeopardize your status.
▶️ For example, if you are in an excepted service appointment, you may think moving to a competitive appointment gives you a better chance of job survival. But...
➡️ If you have never held a position under a competitive appointment, you will typically have to serve a one year probationary period when you move from the excepted service to a competitive appointment.
Now is not the time to become a probationary employee.
➡️ If you've previously held a career appointment prior to your excepted service appointment, then the agency MAY not require the probationary period if--
🔸️you've had no break in service and
🔸️previously completed the probationary period on the prior competitive appointment.
That's a "MAY" not have to.
An employee on a competitive appointment where the employee has completed the initial appointment probation is in Tenure Group I. Employees on permanent excepted appointments where there is no restriction or condition on the appointment will typically be placed in the same tenure group. Meaning for the purposes of tenure, there is not necessarily an advantage.
ASK and if you are told the probationary period will be waived to GET IT IN WRITING in the offer letter. ASK HR to fully state the rationale for waiving the probationary period in writing. You will want this in case someone tries after the fact to say it was in error and forces the issue.
▶️ Same goes for taking a promotion from a non-supervisory position to a supervisory position. Typically there is a probationary period involved upon entering the supervisory ladder. Before you start eyeing a climb right now, consider the risk versus reward until the final RIF and separation notices shake out that will start to hit 30 - 60 days from now for those recently notified. Total work units and their positions can still be abolished and are every day. Just because someone is hiring doesn't mean the work unit is necessarily safe. More abolishments are coming.
Entire work units at some agencies are requesting waivers from RIF. Even if a work unit is saved, positions will still be cut. GSA's TTS has said as much in that while work units that are responsible for statutory programs will remain, cuts of 50% will occur and many could still be in remaining groups.
Think before you jump jobs in the Fed space right now.
ASK the questions BEFORE accepting a new Federal position and get it ALL in writing.
DISCLAIMER: Info is provided for awareness. I am NOT an HR professional but an HR enthusiast having started in HR and being a Federal supervisor and hiring manager.Before taking any action that changes your status, please seek the advice of an attorney knowledgeable in Federal employment law.
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