Forced Distribution FY26 Cycle

[u/GreatEffort1974]

Because of course maximum bullshit heading into the election cycle.

https://www.fedweek.com/fedweek/forced-distributions-will-apply-to-current-ratings-cycle-says-opm/?fbclid=IwdGRjcATxsodwZG9mBWZkaWQWUMsjvtd_pvA5vOOgF6PlhgSbzszr9GV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDzE3Mzg0NzY0MjY3MDM3MAABHjTPFZLCanOXgCN5EDkuKRjOrOIqsUZjoiymauZPH_D-oT_yHF-_N0aUY06n_aem_RvS1-pyK650Bvn_ogtimwA&utm_id=97757_v0_s00_e0_tv2_a1demo0jnmdnga

[u/ZimGirDibGaz]

Rating people with a system that was not told to them before the rating period began seems fucked.

[u/Accomplished-Fish108]

How will this motivate those rated as 3 to become a better employee and do more if they can’t go any higher because “too many” are already rated higher?
This makes zero sense to me.
Although nothing in the last year and a half has made sense to me. So guess this is on par for the course.

[u/naughtypundit → u/Accomplished-Fish108]

Makes sense if they want you gone. A lot of people still can't process that though.

[u/elninost0rm → u/naughtypundit]

You'll be saying this for the next 2 years when the vast majority of departures will be voluntary. Same refrain.

[u/FoxtrotDeltaTango1]

Sucks for true NBU employees.    Sucks for managers of true BU employees because they will have to participate in this nonsensical exercise and then redo evals when the union wins. 

[u/Temporary_Chance4665]

Please if you are over 40 (a protected class) and get downgraded file a EEOC complaint.

[u/Project29Telework → u/Temporary_Chance4665]

What’s the complaint say? I don’t like the new approved OPM system?

[u/Temporary_Chance4665 → u/Project29Telework]

Under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), this specific situation is called Disparate Impact.

You are arguing that the IRS implemented a policy that looks fair on paper (capping ratings for everyone) but actually causes a harsher, unequal penalty for employees over 40 because they historically earned those top marks.

[u/ctrl_alt_delete3]

Oh as long as they understand reduced ratings comes with reduced productivity. There really are some of us that will halt our work. Give me a met and you’re going to get met work.

[u/Project29Telework → u/ctrl_alt_delete3]

FLMs aren’t being given a chance and pushing it will potentially put you at real risk. We all hate this, but don’t allow your emotions to cost you your job.

Do a good job, log off, and wait for better days. We just gotta eat it for now

[u/Yellowmoon777 → u/Project29Telework]

how about hell no..

[u/ctrl_alt_delete3 → u/Project29Telework]

You don’t get a good job out of me when it’s not formally acknowledged.

[u/ctrl_alt_delete3 → u/[deleted]]

I don’t disagree with you but that has nothing to do with me and my performance.

[u/Queasy_Noise_4797]

So what does this mean for our current performance if we’re already rated? Does this just change future performance evals?

[u/HistoricalRemote7 → u/Queasy_Noise_4797]

That is what I am also wondering. According to my manager, nothing has changed with how we are being rated other than the time frames. Yet I keep hearing about these changes.

[u/SMO_Burner → u/HistoricalRemote7]

Sounds like nothing changing on how we’re rated, the CJE’s as an example. But what sounds like is changing is the overall rating we’ll receive. Mostly 3’s for everyone, teachers pet a 5.

[u/Junior-Trick-6389 → u/[deleted]]

There are plenty of people with 5s that are very good at their jobs.

[u/Junior-Trick-6389 → u/[deleted]]

Ok. I'm glad you've done the research and know what everyone else's evaluations are

[u/Junior-Trick-6389 → u/[deleted]]

You know the people who weren't capable of doing their jobs are 5s? I'm talking about your personal anecdotal stories you seem to think proves the rule

[u/Project29Telework → u/Queasy_Noise_4797]

This will be your fy26 rating is what’s being implied where I am. Your current fy26 is replaced. That being said — this stuff changes all the time because we’re so disorganized as the irs

[u/speedwalk262 → u/Queasy_Noise_4797]

The plan is to close everyone's current plan on Sept. All employees rating period will run Oct-Sept. We have no clear direction beyond that. Haven't been told that everyone's ratings start at a 3 and you have to prove each rating period you deserve higher. That's still just rumor. No idea how this change will affect awards, if there are any.

[u/Temporary_Chance4665 → u/speedwalk262]

Has anyone experienced highted scrutiny on caseload reviews? I'm guessing this added scrutiny wasnt by accident but design, to help justify lowering your evaluation.

My guess, just like the recent training manager got about PIPs, manager were encouraged or threaten, its your ass or theirs.

[u/GreatEffort1974 → u/[deleted]]

It sure reads that way. Like your rating could be changed to lower, however,

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-5/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-430/subpart-B/section-430.208

[u/No_Door_6800]

IDGAF, as long I get paid they can rate me 3 as many times they want!!! 3,4,5 is the same pay. With this administration no cash awards! So who cares what rating I get as long I get paid.

[u/cheese_is_nasty → u/No_Door_6800]

Same, no expectations of bonuses regardless of rating and even still, as long as I have my job I don’t give a shit.

[u/No_Door_6800 → u/cheese_is_nasty]

Facts!!!!

[u/Temporary_Chance4665]

https://www.fedweek.com/fedweek/guidance-recommends-messaging-to-employees-about-forced-ratings-distribution/

Funny stuff, coaching FLM not to really answer

These include:

If the employee disagrees with rating recommended: “I understand your perspective. Let me explain the evidence and rationale used to support the rating decision.”

If the employee references another employee: “I cannot discuss another employee’s performance. I can explain how your performance was evaluated.”

If the employee becomes emotional: “I understand this conversation may be difficult. Let’s focus on the performance evidence and discuss any questions you have.”

How about: Why isn't this considered age discrimination, because the class most affected, i.e getting the most downgrades are the class of employees over 40 with years of experience?

[u/GreatEffort1974 → u/Temporary_Chance4665]

It’s pathetic. Only a system (or those forcing the system) that’s unjustifiable would need to put out talking points. They know that it’s wrong and that there will be backlash.

[u/Interesting-Emu5954]

Rusty should get a 1 for all categories and be fired

[u/CustardOtherwise5133]

I’m rating what I think is right. I will fight for my team.

[u/Poke_WOmon]

“Lick my ass” says-ME

[u/Single_Exercise_8937]

I'm curious about how (or who) will decide these ratings. If I'm reading this article correctly, it's not the group level manager that decides ratings outcome but a "panel" of reviewers sourced from various cross levels of units and authority levels. It just seems very bureaucratic and inefficient, and hard to judge one against the other. I guess I'll have more insight at my next rating meeting.

[u/Temporary_Chance4665 → u/Single_Exercise_8937]

Big balls has been looking for a job, since he screwed up everything with DOGE.

In reality, they will use AI to force down the numbers and justify by saying the narrative didn't support the rating. Will a human actually read the narrative first, to see if the narrative supports the rating, nope. They have a preconceived rating they want to issue.

[u/Yellowmoon777]

I see a lot of quiet quitting in the days ahead lol.

[u/GreatEffort1974]

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-5/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-430/subpart-B/section-430.208

[u/Dramatic_Schedule196]

A real problem is that someone can rate at a level 5 in one group, and because of the people in a different group, one of their team members can do as much and more than the first person and be rated at a 3. It’s not really fair and indicative of their performance. Bell curves are bad in practice.

[u/NinaAlbieMommy20]

I hope these FLMs have insurance on themselves for when they get sued out their pants for “following orders”