Washington, DC — Memo notifies agencies that OPM issued a final rule titled, “Administrative Leave for Workforce Realignment and Other Purposes” on October 19, 2026. The rule revises the administrative leave regulations in 5 CFR part 630, subpart N, and makes related changes to the reduction-in-force and resignation regulations (5 CFR 351.806 and 715.202).

Washington, DC — The Government-Wide Recruitment Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2026-2028," aligned to the Merit Hiring Plan, calls on agency leaders, hiring managers, and HR practitioners, supported by the Recruitment Community of Practice and Agency Talent Teams, to work as one government to hire patriotic Americans based on merit and skills, with a goal of making one third of all new hires early career.  

Washington, DC — Guidance on Time-to-Hire to support agencies in meeting the government-wide hiring efficiency standard.

Washington, DC — The OPM Director has delegated to agency heads OPM's authority to review and approve recommendations for individual awards exceeding $10,000 but not exceeding $25,000. 

Washington, DC — Following notice-and-comment rulemaking, OPM is now authorized under 5 CFR 430.208(c) and 430.305(d) to establish a standardized distribution of performance rating levels that covered agencies must apply. For the FY 2026 appraisal cycle, OPM has set a 40 percent cap on Level 4 and Level 5 ratings for career Senior Executive Service (SES), Senior Professional (SP), and General Schedule (GS) populations separately. The 40 percent cap is a ceiling, not a target. The memorandum also provides recommended FY 2026 performance award ranges by rating level for career SES, SP, and GS employees; recommended performance-based pay adjustment ranges for career SES and SP employees; and requirements for a separate bonus pool for Schedule Policy/Career employees under Executive Order 14410.