A federal watchdog overseeing workplace protections for federal employees has recommended halting the Trump administration's termination of six probationary workers across various agencies. This recommendation comes from U.S. Special Counsel Hampton Dellinger, who is also fighting a legal battle over President Donald Trump's attempt to remove him from his position on Feb. 7. Despite preliminary court rulings allowing Dellinger to remain in his job, he believes the firings of probationary workers violate federal personnel laws and should be paused for 45 days for investigation.
Legal Implications of Firings
Dellinger's recommendation, while concerning six individuals, also extends to broader legality issues surrounding mass terminations in the federal government. These terminations were initiated by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. Dellinger is considering ways to provide relief for a larger group of probationary employees without individual filings.
Protecting Probationary Employees
Probationary employees typically work under a temporary status, with varying durations across agencies. Dellinger highlighted the case of a communications specialist at the Department of Energy, who received a high performance rating but was still terminated. This raises questions about the legality of firing probationary employees without proper cause, especially when performance reviews are positive.
Seeking Legal Remedies
Among the terminated probationary employees Dellinger seeks relief for are a lawyer at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, a benefits analyst at the Office of Personnel Management, and others in various roles. Dellinger's recommendations will be reviewed by the Merit Systems Protection Board, an agency overseeing merit-based employment in the government.
Despite Trump's attempts to remove Dellinger from his position, ongoing legal battles have allowed him to continue his role as the head of the Office of Special Counsel. This situation has raised concerns about the administration's efforts to reshape the federal workforce and the legal challenges it faces.