NARFE supports the Protect Our Probationary Employees Act, H.R. 1989/S. 918, introduced by Rep. Sarah Elfreth, D-MD, and Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-MD. This bill proposes that probationary employees involuntarily separated from their government positions continue their probationary period upon reinstatement.  

In many cases where probationary employees lose their positions, they must begin a new probationary period if accepted for a new position within the government. With the mass layoffs that occurred in January 2025, probationary employees dismissed then reinstated may be subject to restarting their probationary period through no fault of their own. This proposal would allow them to resume their probationary period upon reinstatement and help establish these employees faster to ensure the retention of high-quality talent in the federal workforce.  

Please use the sample letter below to urge your members of Congress to support a resumption of probationary periods under the Probationary Employee Protection bill. If your lawmakers are already cosponsors, the system will prompt you to send a thank you letter instead.  
  
Personalized and unique messages are more effective in influencing a legislator's perspective. Please add a few sentences to this letter about how this legislation would affect you or the greater federal community.