MERIT Act

Federal probationary staff: rehire and pay relief

If enacted, this bill would let certain federal probationary employees who lost their jobs in mass terminations (between Jan 20, 2025 and enactment) be offered rehire in their former agency. Mass termination means at least 15 covered separations in 30 days. Agencies must notify affected people within 30 days after enactment and people then have 30 days to accept. If you accept, the agency must rehire you within 30 days. The bill would also pay a one-time lump-sum to make you whole for pay you lost, with special rules if you took another federal job. Payments would be treated as wages for tax purposes, ignored for pay caps, and must be paid within timelines set by the bill. The Office of Personnel Management would set pay amounts and let you submit evidence (usually within 60 days). The rehired job must match or exceed prior benefits like retirement, health insurance, and leave.