OPM Eliminates 'Disparate Impact' Guidelines from Federal Hiring Regulations, Aligning with DOJ Opinion
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has issued an interim final rule removing the Uniform Guidelines on Employee Selection Procedures (UGESP) from federal hiring regulations. This decision aligns with a recent Department of Justice (DOJ) opinion that deemed the UGESP framework unconstitutional. The guidelines, established in 1978, were designed to prevent inadvertent discrimination in hiring by assessing potential biases in employment evaluations. OPM's move is part of a broader effort to reduce regulatory burdens and clarify federal hiring procedures. The rule is effective immediately, but public comments are being accepted for 60 days. OPM Director Scott Kupor emphasized that federal hiring should focus on merit and qualifications, ensuring that selection practices are job-related and free from prohibited discrimination. 
