Probationary Workers Left Federal Jobs at Higher Rate, GAO Finds

Federal workers still in their probationary period left their agencies at a higher rate than all full-time employees last year amid the Trump administration’s push to cut staff, according to a Government Accountability Office study.

Overall, employees who were new to their jobs departed at a rate of 19% in 2025, compared to 15% of all employees, according to the GAO study of 11 agencies.

Last year, Trump sought to eliminate probationary employees, who lack the same job protections as full-time workers, as part of his broader workforce reduction plan.

Nearly 80% of the probationary employees who left did ...