The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has announced a series of controversial proposals aimed at overhauling the way performance is evaluated for federal employees. The new regulations would prioritize performance over tenure during Reduction in Force (RIF) situations, sparking concerns from labor unions about potential mass layoffs. Additionally, the Trump administration is considering eliminating seniority protections in federal layoffs and making it easier to terminate employees. Critiques highlight that these changes could strip long-term federal workers of their protections and lead to increased job insecurity. OPM’s proposals include limiting high performance ratings and implementing forced distribution of ratings across the federal workforce, which could fundamentally reshape employee evaluations.