Featured February 10, 2026 What Schedule Policy/Career means for the federal workforce Back to Blog Civil service advocates break down the new federal employment category, Schedule Policy/Career Date March 5, 2026 Authors Klara Kalu Tags Workforce The Partnership for Public Service recently hosted a virtual Town Hall to help federal employees better understand the Office of Personnel Management’s final rule establishing the Schedule Policy/Career employment classification. The panelists included: Rob Shriver, former director of OPM and managing director of the Civil Service Strong and Good Government Initiatives, Democracy Forward Michael Martinez, managing counsel of Civil Service Strong, Democracy Forward Rushab Sanghvi, general counsel, American Federation of Government Employees Jeff Nesvet, acting executive director, Rise Up: Federal Workers Legal Defense Network Suzanne Summerlin, general counsel, Rise Up: Federal Workers Legal Defense Network Jenny Mattingley, vice president of public policy and stakeholder engagement, Partnership for Public Service The conversation focused on what the new rule does, how it differs from previous policies such as Schedule F, and what federal employees can expect. The merit-based civil service versus Schedule F Since the Pendleton Act of 1883, federal employment has been grounded in the nonpartisan principle that civil servants are hired and retained based on merit to prevent political patronage and ensure professional expertise in government. Over the decades, Congress has reinforced these protections, including through the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, which led to the creation of independent bodies such as the Merit Systems Protection Board and the Office of Special Counsel to oversee employee protections and adjudicate disputes. In 2020, the Trump administration introduced Schedule F through executive order, which sought to strip traditional civil service protections from certain policy-related positions. That order was later revoked by the Biden administration. What is Schedule Policy/Career? Schedule Policy/Career revives and reshapes the concept introduced under Schedule F during the first Trump administration. “Policy influencing” employees reassigned into this new employment classification would lose certain job protections and appeal rights. According to panelists, agencies will recommend positions for reclassification to OPM. OPM will then review those recommendations and send them to President Donald Trump, who must formally designate the positions by executive order. The final rule will take effect on March 9, 2026, at which point roles could start to be reclassified via executive order. OPM estimates that roughly 50,000 positions could be affected, although panelists noted that the rule does not limit future reclassifications. Importantly, the rule applies to positions, not individuals. Employees will be notified if their role is designated under Schedule Policy/Career. What changes for affected federal employees? Panelists highlighted several significant implications: Reduced appeal rights Employees reclassified under Schedule Policy/Career would lose certain due process rights, such as advance notice of removal. In most cases, they would lose their right to appeal their reclassification to the Merit Systems Protection Board. Shift in whistleblower protections Protections against prohibited personnel practices, including whistleblower claims, would shift from independent review by the Office of Special Counsel to internal agency procedures. Potential impact on incentives Certain benefits, such as recruitment, relocation and retention incentives or student loan repayment agreements, may be affected depending on the employee’s status and existing agreements. No automatic termination Panelists stressed that reclassification does not mean employees would automatically lose their jobs. However, the removal of certain protections may alter how personnel actions are handled moving forward. Employees would not automatically lose union representation, although agencies may petition to remove certain positions from bargaining units. Legal outlook and next steps The panelists anticipate legal challenges and noted that the courts may ultimately determine whether the rule aligns with congressional intent and long-standing civil service protections. In the meantime, panelists encouraged federal employees to stay informed and seek trusted resources if they have specific concerns about their individual circumstances. Resources for federal employees The Partnership’s FedSupport Hub and Democracy Forward’s Civil Service Strong provide timely resources and ongoing updates about civil service developments, including a Schedule Policy/Career FAQ and a summary on how this regulation affects the rights of federal employees. The Rise Up: Federal Workers Legal Defense Network offers free legal consultations for eligible federal employees and maintains a litigation tracker. The American Federation of Government Employees also contains information about membership, activities and resources. Webinar recording Title: Breaking Down the New Schedule Policy/Career RuleDate: Feb. 18, 2026Speakers: Rob Shriver, managing director of the Civil Service Strong and Good Government Initiatives, Democracy Forward; Michael Martinez, managing counsel of Civil Service Strong, Democracy Forward; Rushab Sanghvi, general counsel, AFGE; Jeff Nesvet, acting executive director, Rise Up: Federal Workers Legal Defense Network; Suzanne Summerlin, general counsel, Rise Up: Federal Workers Legal Defense Network; Jenny Mattingley, vice president of public policy and stakeholder engagement, Partnership for Public ServiceTopics: Schedule Policy/Career, Schedule F, federal employees’ rights, federal employment classifications.
