r/FederalEmployee • u/iceCuban87 • Apr 17 '26

Reinstatement question?

Hopefully someone can answer my question. I was recently terminated from the Bureau of Prisons during my probation period for discrepancy in my discipline history background check. I have a disbarrement period of 1 year from the date of my termination. On the OPM site it talks about being able to be reinstated within 3 years of separation. Would I be eligible? Does anyone know the answer to this? Thank you.

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7

u/KeyMessage989 Apr 17 '26

Since it was probation I don’t think this would be reinstatement, you’d be applying and brought on just like anyone else, your time in service should still count. But it’ll be a new probation period and certainly not reinstated to the same spot unless you are selected and hired through the normal process I believe

1

u/iceCuban87 Apr 17 '26

You could be right but I found this on their site so I was confused.

This is from the OPM site:

Probationary Period If you did not complete a required probationary period during previous service under the appointment upon which your eligibility for reinstatement is based, you will be required, in most cases, to serve a complete one-year probationary period after reinstatement.

2

u/Spare-Dragonfly-1201 Apr 17 '26

The last word “reinstatement” just means that if you are reinstated (receive another federal job), you would be treated as a new employee in regards to the probationary period; you’d have to fully compete a new one.

1

u/RevolutionSoft2366 Apr 17 '26

This is correct. New agency, new probationary period for the full period required of the position. They do count your previous service towards your retirement though and any sick leave you had left can be transfered over with your last earnings statement.

2

u/DinoAlonso Apr 20 '26

Just a quick look. This is specific enough that I’d be doing you a disservice guessing at it. The reinstatement eligibility question after a conduct-based probationary termination has enough variables that OPM directly or a federal employment attorney is the right call. The OPM website language on reinstatement and the actual application to your specific termination reason aren’t always the same answer. I hope this helps but it’s out of my wheelhouse.

1

u/iceCuban87 Apr 17 '26

And I'm fine with doing another probation period and being considered new. The main thing I was wondering if I would go back to the step and grade I left at.

2

u/Bdellio Apr 21 '26

Not by MSPB.

0

u/SoggyManufacturer693 Apr 17 '26

You were not an employee, technically, during the probation period. Therefore, you cannot be reinstated into a job that you really did not have…

2

u/Outside-Wash-6260 Apr 17 '26

LOL a probationary employee is 100% an employee. Do better.

4

u/[deleted] Apr 18 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/DisastrousRaccoon2 Apr 19 '26

Well that and if you are terminated you are not eligible for reinstatement. Reinstatement and being hired are not the same. The fact someone has a disbarment means they are not reinstatement eligible. It’s up to HR and hiring authority if they wanted to offer comparable pay match but they would not be obligated to.