EO 14,284: Strengthening Probationary Periods in the Federal Service

This Executive Order (EO) issued Civil Service Rule XI — requiring automatic separation at the end of a probationary or trial period, unless the employing agency affirmatively acts to continue an individual's employment beyond the probationary or trial period. The EO permits agencies to consider factors unrelated to the individual, including "needs and interests of the agency" without regard to the employee's performance or conduct. Under the new rule, the employee bears the burden of demonstrating why he or she should not be separated from employment after the expiration of the probationary period.