The judge ordered federal agencies to stop termination of probation workers, but that doesn’t mean they’re safe for a long time
good morning!
Thousands Federal workers Yesterday, I got back to work a month after the Human Resources Administration (OPM) directed the agency. Dismissing employee on probation.
The decision marks the latest obstacles to President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s large-scale attempts Federal workers cull. And while many of these employees are celebrating their ability to return to work, the latest one Court decision That doesn’t mean they are always safe.
On Thursday, California District Court Judge William H. Alsp declared Trump’s decision. Fire Department Employees I’m paying attention to illegality Personnel Management Bureau (OPM) is like an HR office for federal employees and does not have the authority to hire or fire workers within other departments. He also had particular problems with the way they did it. Last month, OPM sent notices to all agencies requesting that all workers be fired on probation status.
“It was a fake to avoid the legal requirements,” Alsup said Thursday. He added: “It was a sad day when our government fired a good employee and it was a sad day to say it was based on performance.
Employees who have been fired from the departments of Veteran Affairs, Agriculture, Interior, Energy, Defense and Treasury must now recover. The judge also barred the OPM from providing additional guidance to agencies whose employees should let go.
But these newly rehearsed federal probation employees are not yet in the woods. He said that forced reductions (also known as RIF) are still legal for the government to implement as long as it is “made right under the law.” “This case isn’t about whether the government can end people, it’s about whether they’ve decided to end people, how they have to do that.”
The ruling also does not affect this week’s deadline set by the Trump administration. All agencies are calling for the president and OPM plan to be dispatched for more layoffs. That means there are more cuts going on.
But in the meantime, federal workers unions across the country are pleased. “Afge is pleased with Judge Alsup’s order to immediately revive tens of thousands of probation federal employees who have been illegally fired from the government that exists at their jobs.
“We are grateful for these employees and the important work they do, and AFGE will continue to fight until all unjust and illegally fired federal employees return their work.”
Britt Morse
brit.morse@fortune.com
This story was originally introduced Fortune.com