The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a statement regarding the status of its probationary employees. This follows a recent decision by the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), which on March 5 implemented a 45-day stay on the termination of USDA probationary employees.
As part of this development, the USDA has announced that by March 12, all terminated probationary employees will be placed back in pay status. They will also receive back pay dating from their respective termination dates.
The department is currently working to create a phased plan for these employees' return to duty. Until these plans are finalized, all affected probationary employees will continue to receive payment.
"On Wednesday, March 5, the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) issued a 45-day stay on the termination of U.S. Department of Agriculture probationary employees," stated the USDA's release. "By Wednesday, March 12, the Department will place all terminated probationary employees in pay status and provide each with back pay, from the date of termination. The Department will work quickly to develop a phased plan for return-to-duty, and while those plans materialize, all probationary employees will be paid."
