Story perspectives

OPM Proposes Ending 52-Week Promotion Wait, Prioritizing Performance

5/28/2026

Summary

Story summary

Office of Personnel Management (OPM) proposed eliminating the mandatory 52-week waiting period for most federal promotions, to be published in the Federal Register.
OPM also proposed weighting employee performance over seniority in agency reduction-in-force retention lists.
OPM says the change will cut administrative burdens, add flexibility, reward high performers, and improve recruitment and retention.
OPM director Scott Kupor called the time-in-grade rule an outdated obstacle to promotions based on ability.

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Story summary

Office of Personnel Management (OPM) proposed eliminating the mandatory 52-week waiting period for most federal promotions, to be published in the Federal Register.
OPM also proposed weighting employee performance over seniority in agency reduction-in-force retention lists.
OPM says the change will cut administrative burdens, add flexibility, reward high performers, and improve recruitment and retention.
OPM director Scott Kupor called the time-in-grade rule an outdated obstacle to promotions based on ability.