Issuance of Regulations on Assuring Responsive & Accountable Federal Executive Management & Additional Guidance & Fiscal Year 2026 Senior Executive Service Rating Level Distribution Cap

Policy Document | September 16, 2025

The Office of Personnel Management published a memorandum on its issuance of a final regulation that allows forced distribution of performance ratings for Senior Executive Service (SES) members and eliminates diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) efforts from performance standards. The memo emphasizes that "political leadership should be actively involved as members" of the Performance Review Boards for career SES members.

Last updated January 29, 2026
Source: Issuance of Regulations on Assuring Responsive Federal Executive Management & Additional Guidance & FY 2026 SES Rating Level Distribution Cap

Source Documents

Agency

Executive branch-wideOffice of Personnel Management (OPM)

Employee Category

SES & Supervisors

Policy Topic

Performance Management Targeting DEIA

Theme

Politicization & Loyalty

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