Fired USDA Workers Ordered Reinstatement Amidst Downsizing Row

Thousands of Agriculture Department employees who were recently fired must be reinstated in their former positions for at least 45 days, as ordered by the Merit Systems Protection Board on Wednesday. This board oversees federal worker disputes and determined that the firings violated regulations regarding personnel practices.

The affected employees were probationary workers, relatively new to their roles, caught in the Trump administration's push to swiftly decrease the size of the federal workforce. A key strategy involved targeting probationary employees due to their limited Civil Service protections compared to more experienced government workers.

Targeting Probationary Employees

Probationary employees have fewer protections under Civil Service rules and have been viewed by President Trump and Elon Musk, leading the downsizing efforts, as easier targets for termination. However, agencies must still adhere to specific procedures when dismissing probationary employees, including requiring managers to document performance issues.

Board's Decision

Cathy Harris, chair of the Merit Systems Protection Board, stated in her order on Wednesday that she had "reasonable grounds" to believe that agencies involved in the firings violated the law governing proper personnel practices. This ruling mandates the reinstatement of the fired employees for a minimum of 45 days.

The decision highlights the importance of adhering to established procedures and regulations, even when dealing with probationary employees. It also underscores the potential consequences agencies face when disregarding these rules.