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- EPA workers receive termination warning letter (foxbusiness.com)
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has sent a warning letter to approximately 1,100 employees, putting them on notice of potential termination. The email, sent Wednesday, informs employees deemed to be in probationary or trial periods that their employment could be ended immediately.
Recipients were instructed to respond to an EPA email address only if they have a year or more of prior civilian service or are veterans. However, the email cautioned that meeting these criteria doesn’t guarantee continued employment. Each case will be reviewed individually.
The EPA cited its authority to terminate probationary employees, explaining that those affected would receive a termination notice followed by immediate dismissal.
The email acknowledged that some employees may have appeal rights through the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board, depending on their official employment status and Office of Personnel Management (OPM) regulations.
This development comes amid the Trump administration’s cost-cutting efforts to reduce the size of the federal workforce, led by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. This push also includes bringing teleworking employees back to the office.
The OPM recently announced a voluntary buyout program for eligible federal employees. This program, running from January 28th to February 6th, allows employees to resign while retaining pay and benefits until September 30, 2025. They would also be exempt from in-person work requirements.
Those accepting the buyout would continue accruing leave and retirement benefits, and could take on second jobs. The program excludes military personnel, postal workers, and those in immigration enforcement, national security, and other agency-specific positions.
The OPM suggests that significant changes are expected within the federal workforce, prompting the buyout offer to provide employees with time and financial security to transition to new opportunities.
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- EPA workers receive termination warning letter (foxbusiness.com)