This May OPM is expected to enact a file rule eliminating time-in-grade requirements for promotions in the competitive service, meaning that federal employees in grades GS-5 and above will no longer have to serve 52 weeks in grade before becoming eligible for a promotion to the next grade level, the Merit Systems Protection Board has said in a reminder to federal employees.
It cites complaints that getting rid of the TIG requirement could give rise to favoritism among managers, but noted that OPM disagreed, saying in effect that in order to be promoted employees must meet a number of other requirements that aren’t set to change – such as the need to meet occupational qualification standards and any additional job-related qualification requirements established for the position.
OPM initially had planned to eliminate the requirement earlier but put off final action to give the new leadership there time to review the situation. There has been no indication to date that OPM will change course.