Huge Number’ of Federal Probationary Workers Laid Off, Bigger Cuts Loom

[Tall Timbers]

The Trump administration continued its efforts Thursday to shrink the bloated federal workforce, with the Office of Personnel Management ordering agencies to lay off nearly all probationary employees, a person familiar with the matter who was not authorized to disclose the information publicly told CBS News.

The layoffs could potentially affect hundreds of thousands of workers, and more cuts are expected soon, according to the report.

Report: ‘Huge Number’ of Federal Probationary Workers Laid Off

The Office of Personnel Management ordered federal agencies to lay off nearly all probationary employees, CBS News reported.

www.breitbart.com

Probably the majority of Federal workers have it pretty easy in terms of what their job entails. Laying off the newbies who have probably been screened for wokeness before hiring is a good idea, but that leaves the more entrenched employees who are used to having it pretty easy at the office.

I wonder if salaries can be lowered or employees moved to lower classifications that give less pay. Inside the Beltway it doesn't take long at all to reach GS13, whereas in most other parts of the country Federal employees may not see that level during their entire careers. If Trump loyalists can be placed in all of the office head positions then they should be able to weed out the worst of the Federal employees by increasing the work requirements... and when those used to not doing much fail those new requirements, they can begin the long process of firing...

Congress needs to get involved as well and make it easier for a President and his team to remove dead wood. Don't want to make it too easy because we don't want to see mass firings/hirings every time we get a new president from the other party.

One potential problem I see with firing all of the new employees is that eventually there will be a problematic gap as older folks retire.

 

[Baby Yoda]

While I feel for anyone losing a job they count on, I have to say my whole working life I've been subject to layoffs in the mortgage biz. It's part of adult life. Government employees have been much more secure than most of us all along.

What about all those who lost their livelihoods when Biden shut down the pipeline on Day 1?

There will be gaps. There will be adjustment pain with fewer employees. But hopefully affected workplaces who serve the US will eventually be stronger, efficient and productive again.

 

[Tall Timbers]

I think lot of folks gravitate towards govmint jobs at all the levels, Federal, State, local, because of a perception which is usually true that once you land one of those jobs you'll have stability, security, and usually good medical and retirement benefits.

I don't think govmint jobs should be as protected as they are, and govmint workers shouldn't have a union, in my opinion, and that includes teachers.

 

[Cheeky200386]

I think lot of folks gravitate towards govmint jobs at all the levels, Federal, State, local, because of a perception which is usually true that once you land one of those jobs you'll have stability, security, and usually good medical and retirement benefits.

I don't think govmint jobs should be as protected as they are, and govmint workers shouldn't have a union, in my opinion, and that includes teachers.

I’m praying my husband keeps his job. He works for the air force and was just offered a job at a VA hospital for more pay and less of a commute. I’m assuming he’s not considered on probation since he’s already been with the government for a year and a half.

Thankfully, his higher ups will quickly learn he’s Christian and conservative. Hopefully that will serve him well under this administration. He’s super pro Trump. He supports the hiring freeze that delayed his offer because he knows it’s necessary. By God’s grace he was able to finalize the hiring process and will start in less than 2 weeks!

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

Without unions, a lot of law enforcement officers still wouldn't have ballistic vests.
and would be driving totally inadequate/unsafe vehicles for the required tasks.
and would be subject to firing for no reason other than political cronyism and/or nepotism every time the Mayor, Sheriff, etc. changed.
and wouldn't have the training they have.
and wouldn't get needed range time and ammunition to remain competent.
and pay would be dependent upon race and gender.

Etc.

Even with unions, there are safety and training issues that still don't get addressed adequately, but it could be a lot worse.

 

[3Nails4Given]

Without unions, a lot of law enforcement officers still wouldn't have ballistic vests.
and would be driving totally inadequate/unsafe vehicles for the required tasks.
and would be subject to firing for no reason other than political cronyism and/or nepotism every time the Mayor, Sheriff, etc. changed.
and wouldn't have the training they have.
and wouldn't get needed range time and ammunition to remain competent.
and pay would be dependent upon race and gender.

Etc.

Even with unions, there are safety and training issues that still don't get addressed adequately, but it could be a lot worse.

When I was with DOJ we had quite a few officers that transferred over to the newly created Air Marshals. I knew quite a few of them. They were not allowed to unionize. Those guys were treated badly, because many of those who were selected in supervisor roles were not vetted appropriately, due to the rapid creation of the new department.

Every single one of them that I know that swapped over, worked their way back to the US Marshals or to instructor positions at FLETC.

I heard many horror stories of mistreatment, mandatory overtime, layovers, discrimination, undeserved discipline, etc… Many supervisors on Ego power trips and these officers had no recourse.

Our agency was represented by AFGE, union membership was voluntary and membership dues were paid by the employees not the agency.

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

When I was with DOJ we had quite a few officers that transferred over to the newly created Air Marshals. I knew quite a few of them. They were not allowed to unionize. Those guys were treated badly, because many of those who were selected in supervisor roles were not vetted appropriately, due to the rapid creation of the new department.

Every single one of them that I know that swapped over, worked their way back to the US Marshals or to instructor positions at FLETC.

I heard many horror stories of mistreatment, mandatory overtime, layovers, discrimination, undeserved discipline, etc… Many supervisors on Ego power trips and these officers had no recourse.

Our agency was represented by AFGE, union membership was voluntary and membership dues were paid by the employees not the agency.

I'm still a member of Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) (retired)

No department ever paid my dues, but having legal representation aside from the jurisdiction is imperative these days (eventually the jurisdiction's lawyer or the one they pay for will have to choose between the jurisdiction's interests and those of the officer if the issue is expensive enough).

 

[3Nails4Given]

I'm still a member of Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) (retired)

No department ever paid my dues, but having legal representation aside from the jurisdiction is imperative these days (eventually the jurisdiction's lawyer or the one they pay for will have to choose between the jurisdiction's interests and those of the officer if the issue is expensive enough).

When I worked for the State of Florida I was represented by PBA, Police Benevolent Association. They were awesome in representing employees in matters of unfair discipline. I never needed them but I had some friends that did.

 

[Hol]

I heard many horror stories of mistreatment, mandatory overtime, layovers, discrimination, undeserved discipline, etc… Many supervisors on Ego power trips and these officers had no recourse.

Your observation triggers lots of painful memories. My first eight years at my job (non union) was so much fun and in our small department of 14 I was able to advance. I became a believer and shocked my coworkers (me too). Many were staunch liberal atheists. As a baby Christian I had to learn those lessons where we find the Bible telling us that if the world hated Jesus they would hate us. It forced me to turn to Scripture, and eventually find a church and lots of prayer. I can’t count the times that my boss threatened to fire me. For several years in a row our big boss told my boss to stop giving me annual merit increases so I had to learn to bring his attention to my accomplishments (Christians make for good employees) for a bonus. By the Lord’s grace I was employed until retirement age.

For those of us without the union safety net there are countless stories of God providing. It was good for me to live under the hostilities of unbelieving former friends so that I would grow in faith, because God brings us through trials despite our circumstances.

 

[Tall Timbers]

I don't believe I was in a union when I was with the Fresno County Sheriff's Dept... but it's been so long now that I don't really know. Back then bullet proof vests were very bulky and heavy and I can't tell you how much I stunk after wearing that under my uniform for a 10 hour shift in temps that were always 95-105 deg F during the summer months.

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

I don't believe I was in a union when I was with the Fresno County Sheriff's Dept... but it's been so long now that I don't really know. Back then bullet proof vests were very bulky and heavy and I can't tell you how much I stunk after wearing that under my uniform for a 10 hour shift in temps that were always 95-105 deg F during the summer months.

At the (very rural) Sheriff's Office, we were mandated Level III plus an extra plate besides those that came with the vest, and Kevlar only, none of the new materials, which were starting to come out.

So happy the Sheriff stuck to his guns over this, as one of the Deputies got shot with a shotgun twice at close range and lived.

Kevlar and ceramic and steel

I looked like a


Until it expired, I still wore it at the hood municipalities, even though they only mandated 2A and allowed the newer materials. After seeing what a threat we faced every day do to a 2A, when I had to get a new vest, I paid the difference for a IIIA and transferred my old plates for the higher protection The new materials stunk worse and were ridiculously hot and cold, and I swore never again. Back to Kevlar