The MERIT Act would offer reinstatement to certain probationary or trial-period federal employees separated during mass terminations between January 20, 2025, and the date the Act is enacted. A mass termination means at least 15 covered separations at an agency within 30 days as part of related government actions. Eligible employees could accept a same or similar position with benefits that match or exceed their previous benefits. The bill also provides for payments based on lost pay, with different calculations for employees who took another federal job. Agencies would notify eligible employees, and the bill sets deadlines for responding and reinstatement. It also requires reports on the terminations and reinstatements.
If you are an affected employee, you would have 30 days after receiving notice to accept or reject an offered appointment. If you accept, your former agency would generally have 30 days to appoint you. Not responding in time would end your right to an appointment under the bill. The Office of Personnel Management would determine pay amounts using information from employees and agencies.
The bill directs eligible employees to receive qualifying payments as a lump sum, treated as wages for tax purposes. No publicly available information on the total cost of these payments.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.