With the Trump administration has somewhat clarified implications of the general hiring freeze ordered Monday but has not addressed all of the numerous questions raised.
OMB memo M-17-17, the first of what is expected to be a series of guidance documents clarifies that civilian employees of DoD are covered by the freeze. That had been in question since the freeze memo specifically exempted “military” personnel but did not address whether that meant only active duty uniformed personnel or the civilians supporting them as well. DoD earlier had issued its own interpretation that its civilian workforce was indeed covered.
The memo also states that an individual who received a job offer/appointment before January 22 and has received documentation from the agency that specifies a confirmed start date on or before February 22 should report to work on that start date. If the start date was unspecified or was after February 22, the agency is to review the position to determine whether the offer should be revoked.
“Agency heads should consider merit system principles, essential mission priorities and current agency resources and funding levels when making determinations about whether or not to revoke appointments,” it says.
