Agency RuleGovernment Reform

Schedule F Final Rule (Schedule Policy/Career)

OPM published the final rule for 'Schedule Policy/Career' (formerly Schedule F), reclassifying approximately 50,000 federal employees in policy-influencing positions as at-will workers. Reclassified employees lose civil service protections, cannot appeal suspensions, demotions, or firings to the MSPB, and cannot challenge their reclassification. The rule received 40,000+ public comments, 94% opposed. Effective March 8, 2026. AFGE, AFSCME, and AFL-CIO have all filed lawsuits.

Pending Litigation

Details

OPM published the final rule for 'Schedule Policy/Career' (formerly Schedule F), reclassifying approximately 50,000 federal employees in policy-influencing positions as at-will workers. Reclassified employees lose civil service protections, cannot appeal suspensions, demotions, or firings to the MSPB, and cannot challenge their reclassification. The rule received 40,000+ public comments, 94% opposed. Effective March 8, 2026. AFGE, AFSCME, and AFL-CIO have all filed lawsuits.

Date Issued

2026-02-06

Type

Agency Rule

Legal & Institutional Responses (1)

AFGE & AFSCME v. OPM — Schedule F Challenge

Multiple unions filed lawsuits challenging the Schedule F final rule. AFGE, AFSCME, NARFE, and Democracy Forward/PEER all have pending cases. A preliminary injunction reinstated collective bargaining rights. Summary judgment motions pending. The final rule takes effect March 8, 2026, and would affect 50,000+ employees.

Preliminary Injunction
Federal Lawsuit
U.S. District Court, District of Columbia
2025-02-03

Sources

Affected Agencies

  • Office of Personnel Management

Related Risk Areas

Democratic Institutions
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