Judge orders fired probationary employees to be rehired immediately

A federal judge ordered federal agencies to rehire tens of thousands of probationary employees who were fired in recent weeks, finding the termination of probationary federal employees illegal because the Office of Personnel Management had no authority to order it. The ruling ordered federal departments including Interior and the Forest Service to immediately offer all fired probationary employees their jobs back.

U.S. District Judge William Alsup said the administration's dishonest attempt to attribute the firings to poor performance was unlawful. “It is sad, a sad day when our government would fire some good employee and say it was based on performance when they know good and well that’s a lie,” Alsup said.

The ruling does not guarantee all workers will have their jobs back permanently. Federal agencies are reportedly finalizing their “reduction in force” plans, and still have the authority to implement those plans as long as they follow the correct procedures.
 

Conservation champion Representative Raúl Grijalva dies

Quick hits

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Judge orders fired probationary employees to be rehired immediately

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Quote of the day

I served nearly 7 years in the U.S. Marine Corps as a combat engineer officer, leading teams in challenging environments and ensuring operational success. My job required me to anticipate threats, protect our forces, and secure critical infrastructure. Now, I see a different kind of threat — one that strikes at the heart of our national identity — a direct assault on our national parks, monuments, and public lands.”

—Janessa Goldbeck, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran and CEO of Vet Voice Foundation, San Diego Union-Tribune

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