Three federal worker unions jointly filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts against the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on Thursday over essay questions included in the Trump administration’s merit-based hiring plan released in May.

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Three federal worker unions jointly filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts against the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on Thursday over essay questions included in the Trump administration’s merit-based hiring plan released in May.

The lawsuit focuses on the third question the Merit Hiring Plan introduced, which asked applicants how they would “help advance the President’s Executive Orders and policy priorities,” requiring them to identify specific orders and initiatives significant to them.

Trump U.S. Office of Personnel Management

The lawsuit focuses on the third question the Merit Hiring Plan introduced, which asked applicants how they would “help advance the President’s Executive Orders and policy priorities,” requiring them to identify specific orders and initiatives significant to them.

According to the lawsuit, the question has since appeared in over 5,800 federal job postings for a variety of positions, including a meatcutter at the Department of Defense, a research biologist at the Department of Agriculture and a laundry worker at the Department of Veteran Affairs.

According to the lawsuit, the question has since appeared in over 5,800 federal job postings for a variety of positions, including a meatcutter at the Department of Defense, a research biologist at the Department of Agriculture and a laundry worker at the Department of Veteran Affairs.

Following the publication of the hiring plan, the OPM issued guidance in June stating that the questions were “encouraged” but not mandatory, and that agencies could exempt their use for hiring when they deem it “appropriate” for the position.

Following the publication of the hiring plan, the OPM issued guidance in June stating that the questions were “encouraged” but not mandatory, and that agencies could exempt their use for hiring when they deem it “appropriate” for the position.

The lawsuit, however, alleged that the question still plays an “unknown and unspecified role in the hiring process,” which it evidenced with the June bulletin’s statement that the answers “will be reviewed” by “hiring managers and political appointees.”

The lawsuit, however, alleged that the question still plays an “unknown and unspecified role in the hiring process,” which it evidenced with the June bulletin’s statement that the answers “will be reviewed” by “hiring managers and political appointees.”

Arguing that the questions violate the First Amendment and undermine the nonpartisan nature of the civil service by conditioning employment on political viewpoints, the unions petitioned the court for declarations against and injunctions prohibiting the “Loyalty Question.”

Arguing that the questions violate the First Amendment and undermine the nonpartisan nature of the civil service by conditioning employment on political viewpoints, the unions petitioned the court for declarations against and injunctions prohibiting the “Loyalty Question.”

Three federal worker unions filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts against the Office of Personnel Management over essay questions included in the Trump administration's merit-based hiring plan released in May.</span

Axios

Axios #

ChosunBiz

ChosunBiz #

Three federal worker unions filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts against the Office of Personnel Management over essay questions included in the Trump administration's merit-based hiring plan released in May.

The controversial essay question asks applicants how they would help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in their role, requiring them to identify specific orders or initiatives significant to them.</span

The Daily Beast #

The controversial essay question asks applicants how they would help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in their role, requiring them to identify specific orders or initiatives significant to them.

The essay question has appeared on over 5,800 federal job postings for positions including meat cutter at the Department of Defense, laundry worker at the Department of Veterans Affairs, and dental hygienist positions.</span

The essay question has appeared on over 5,800 federal job postings for positions including meat cutter at the Department of Defense, laundry worker at the Department of Veterans Affairs, and dental hygienist positions.

The Office of Personnel Management later clarified that the essay questions are not mandatory but encouraged, though hiring managers and political appointees will review the answers as part of the evaluation process.</span

The Office of Personnel Management later clarified that the essay questions are not mandatory but encouraged, though hiring managers and political appointees will review the answers as part of the evaluation process.

An OPM official defended the questions, stating the President has constitutional authority to oversee the executive branch and that asking about policy implementation is lawful since civil servants must act consistently with executive orders.</span

An OPM official defended the questions, stating the President has constitutional authority to oversee the executive branch and that asking about policy implementation is lawful since civil servants must act consistently with executive orders.

The unions argue the questions violate First Amendment rights by conditioning employment on political viewpoints and undermine the nonpartisan civil service system established by 19th century civil service laws.</span

AFSCME

AFSCME #

The unions argue the questions violate First Amendment rights by conditioning employment on political viewpoints and undermine the nonpartisan civil service system established by 19th century civil service laws.

Federal Unions Sue Over Trump's Political Essay Questions

Federal Unions Sue Over Trump's Political Essay Questions

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Federal Unions Sue Over Trump's Political Essay Questions

Federal Unions Sue Over Trump's Political Essay Questions

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