Federal agencies are currently reversing the firings of over 24,000 employees in compliance with recent court orders, a significant move impacting the federal workforce nationwide.
On March 1, U.S. District Judge William Alsup mandated six federal agencies to immediately reinstate interns they had previously terminated. This legal challenge arose from civic organizations, claiming that the government’s capacity to provide services was compromised.
In a related case, U.S. District Judge James Bredar instructed 18 agencies to temporarily reinstate their dismissed probationary employees. This lawsuit was initiated in Baltimore, where Democratic attorneys general from 19 states and the District of Columbia argued that the mass layoffs violated federal law stipulating a 60-day notice period, obstructing their capacity to manage the economic fallout effectively.
Probationary employees, typically within their initial two years of service, also encompass individuals promoted to new roles.
The Trump administration has appealed both judicial decisions, critiquing the rulings strongly. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that individual judges should not possess the authority to obstruct the President’s agenda.
As of Monday, in line with Judge Bredar’s directive, the contacted agencies presented their restoration progress, including reaching out to the dismissed employees through personal contact details. Collectively, these agencies reported terminating over 24,000 probationary positions since January 20.
Most agencies indicated that they had canceled the terminations for a majority of the affected employees. Many have been placed on paid administrative leave, with no clear timeline for their return to work.
Noteworthy agency updates include:
- The Department of Energy reported that more than 500 reinstated employees would resume active duty once their IT access and badges are restored.
- The Department of Labor stated that the 167 employees who received termination notices are either reinstated or have voluntarily separated.
- The Department of Transportation anticipates that about 775 reinstated employees will return if they decide not to resign.
- The Department of Agriculture has developed a phased plan for reinstating probationary employees, but specifics regarding the timeline remain undisclosed.
There is uncertainty regarding whether the remaining agencies will maintain reinstated employees on paid leave during pending legal appeals. Human resource leaders highlighted the substantial administrative tasks required for re-integrating dismissed employees, such as reissuing security badges and benefit re-enrollments.
Judges overseeing these cases expressed little sympathy towards the agencies’ concerns, particularly regarding the potential confusion stemming from an appeals court reversal of the judges’ decisions.
Judge Alsup clarified that for the agencies under his jurisdiction, reinstatement must consist of returning employees to active duty rather than placing them on paid leave, emphasizing that this approach would not fulfill the intent of the preliminary injunction.
Judge Alsup requires these agencies to report on March 18 whether reinstated employees have been placed on administrative leave. Additionally, a list of all terminated probationary employees, alongside a compliance explanation, is due by March 20. Meanwhile, Judge Bredar is set to evaluate broader relief in the state case during a preliminary injunction hearing scheduled for March 26.
