Several federal workers recently faced termination just as they were nearing the end of their probationary periods, which would have granted them greater job protections.

WTOP spoke with various former federal employees as the Department of Government Efficiency, under the leadership of Elon Musk, continues its efforts to reform the federal workforce.

‘I won’t go quietly’: Woman loses HHS job

Rachel, who chose to share only her first name, has a lengthy career as a health IT professional.

She joined the federal government less than a year ago, taking a position with the Department of Health and Human Services to support Medicare and Medicaid services.

On Sunday morning, Rachel received notification that she was being placed on administrative leave, with a full termination scheduled for one month later.

She was set to mark her one-year anniversary in her role on March 24, completing her probationary status.

“My husband is a 100% disabled Army combat veteran,” she shared with WTOP. “I am the primary income provider for our family, which includes two special needs children.”

“The Reduction in Force (RIF) notice I received mentioned performance as a reason,” she responded. “But it was a generic letter; everyone I know got the same wording.”

Rachel stated that she received positive performance reviews during her tenure at HHS, despite the claims of poor performance being cited for many of the recent terminations.

She suspects that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is seeking justification beyond simply terminating probationary employees.

“They hope most individuals will just accept this quietly,” Rachel said. “With my background, I won’t be silenced.”

Disabled Army veteran feels ‘betrayed’ by job loss

Jason King, a disabled Army veteran, was released from his position at the Federal Aviation Administration just before completing his probationary period. He worked as a data analyst, assisting the agency’s director of safety.

He was informed via email that his termination was due to performance-related issues.

“It was a complete shock, a total surprise. I felt an almost immediate sense of betrayal,” he told WTOP.

King believed his job security was reinforced by his military experience and the critical nature of his role in public safety.

“As a disabled veteran, I assumed I would be protected from such actions,” he expressed.

He emphasized the risks associated with terminating federal employees, especially those whose roles affect public safety.

“The recent D.C. plane crash illustrates the dangers of compromising safety protocols,” he argued. “Every lost position contributes to a weakened FAA, and every budget-driven decision that undermines safety endangers lives.”

Consequences felt across the federal workforce

Two women, who requested anonymity to protect themselves from potential repercussions, shared their experiences with WTOP.

One, a soon-to-be former employee of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, revealed that she received notice on Friday, placing her on 30 days of administrative leave followed by termination.

“There’s a prevailing sense of fear,” she remarked. “I’m scared to even speak out, but it’s crucial to voice my experience.”

Having been a probationary staff member since September, she indicated she was somewhat prepared for such a decision, given the prevailing media reports about upcoming cuts. However, the emotional turmoil leading to the notification was overwhelming.

She believes the recent layoffs lack clear rationale and suspects legality in their execution.

Another woman, who previously accepted a position as deputy director of cybersecurity at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, shared that her job was eliminated even after confirming a start date of February 10.

She had expressed interest in the position since it was posted last March, undergoing extensive interviews and background checks over several months.

Finally receiving an offer last year, she was left in limbo before HR communicated that the role was on hold and eventually eliminated.

Fortunately, she was able to return to her previous contracting firm, though only after resigning and relocating from California to accept the government role.

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