OMF Consulting

09/02/2026

New OPM Reduction in Force (RIF) rules take effect today, shifting federal job retention priorities to favor recent employee performance over tenure, seniority, and veteran status when deciding who stays or goes during a RIF.

Key Changes to RIF Rules

Performance Priority: Recent performance ratings now carry more weight than total length of service or seniority.

Veterans' Preference: Traditional protections tied to veterans' preference and tenure play a reduced role in retention standing.

Probationary Status: Employees in an initial probationary period are excluded from RIF competition entirely.

New Appeals Process

OPM Replaces MSPB: OPM takes over as the administrative forum for RIF appeals, replacing the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB).

Record-Based Reviews: Appeals rely strictly on the administrative record created during the agency's RIF process.

Early Documentation: Preserving evidence and documenting performance early is now critical for any challenged separation or furlough.

08/27/2026

Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced that New York State has officially opened the application portal for the Workforce Pell Program. This transformative initiative expands federal Pell Grant eligibility to students pursuing high-demand, short-term postsecondary credentials.

By making shorter training programs more affordable, it will help thousands of New Yorkers fast-track their careers in the state’s most critical industries, from advanced manufacturing to healthcare.

Read more: https://news.ny.gov/3UUu9FZ

05/17/2026

Student Loan Forgiveness Buyback Program Gets Big Updates In Court Filing

Full story at the link in the comments.
(Photo: AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

05/08/2026

As July 1 approaches, and the Trump administration’s changes to student loans are about to take effect, the window of time for borrowers to act is closing. https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamminsky/2026/05/08/5-things-borrowers-with-federal-student-loans-should-do-in-the-next-7-weeks-as-trump-changes-take-effect/?utm_campaign=ForbesMainFB&utm_source=ForbesMainFacebook&utm_medium=social
📸: Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images

04/12/2026

03/27/2026

There were many changes to federal hiring and other Human Resources (HR) programs in 2025; while many of you have kept up with the changes, I thought it

02/28/2025

02/28/2025

11/12/2024

Despite the billions of dollars poured into education development globally every year, the majority of students are still struggling with basic learning concepts, says economist Karthik Muralidharan. He outlines how smarter resource allocation and evidence-based interventions, like learning software...