President Donald Trump’s administration is drastically cutting thousands of probationary federal employees, leaving many without job security or benefits.
Warren Hill, a 30-year veteran of Lake Clark National Park and Preserve in Alaska, was recently laid off despite being promoted to a maintenance supervisor role. He expressed frustration at the sudden loss of his job and benefits, stating that he is “furious” about the administration’s actions.
Probationary employees are typically younger workers with less than a year or two on the job. However, many experienced employees like Hill were placed on probation when they transferred between agencies or moved into new positions. The layoffs have taken place across various federal agencies, including Health and Human Services, Veterans Affairs, Education, Energy, and the National Park Service.
The administration claims that the probationary period is a continuation of the job application process, not an entitlement for permanent employment. However, unions for federal workers have filed a lawsuit to stop and reverse the layoffs, accusing the administration of indiscriminate firing of thousands of patriotic public servants across the country.
Many employees, including veterans like Terri Wollenberg, who spent over three decades in the U.S. Army and Navy, were abruptly terminated despite having excellent performance records. Wollenberg stated that there is no one left to do her job at the Cedar Rapids Veterans Center in Iowa, where she was working in a probationary status.
The layoffs have also affected experienced seasonal workers like Kayleigh McCarthy, who was fired from her permanent position at the Anan Wildlife Observatory in Alaska for performance issues. Despite having exemplary performance records, McCarthy believes that there is no just cause for her termination and plans to appeal the decision.
The administration’s actions have raised concerns about job security, benefits, and the impact on federal agencies and communities across the country.
Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/experienced-workers-not-just-rookies-170043003.html