Apr 21, 2025

NDAs?

      I’ve been wondering about something. Maybe someone can answer my question anonymously. Have Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) figured into any of the recent departures of high level personnel at Social Security? I don’t know that NDAs have figured into federal personnel policies in the past but they’re something that the current President has used extensively in his businesses. There are reports that NDAs were used for White House staff during the first Trump Administration although those were apparently signed before hiring.  I notice that the recently fired Acting Commissioner and the Regional Commissioners who left under circumstances we don’t understand have not spoken publicly about their departures from the agency or their views about what’s going on now at Social Security. Not a one. I’d think some of them would like to talk with the media but none has. NDAs could explain this but maybe it’s just reticence or fear of becoming the target of Trump’s crazy supporters. I have no idea whether federal funds could be used for NDAs.

     Anybody know anything about this that you can share, at least anonymously?

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don’t think they are NDAs. Many of these folks are on administrative leave until their retirement in December. I believe they feel they could get retaliation if they talk at this point.

Anonymous said...

While I wouldn’t be surprised if NDAs are being used, I’m not sure that’s the main reason why we haven’t heard from the executives you mentioned in your post. Most all of the executives that left took the “fork in the road” so they are still receiving their SES salaries thru the end of the FY. I’m more apt to assume they aren’t talking because they don’t want to risk having that money taken away by angering the admin.

Anonymous said...

Both of above are true. They are employees until their deferred retirement date at the end of year. They don’t want to risk retaliation. Loss of the money for their families. God bless Tiffany Flick for speaking out nonetheless.

Anonymous said...

Both of above are true.

Anonymous said...

Wouldn’t the agency need to give them something in return for signing an NDA? These are highly pricipled people and I doubt they can be bought.

Anonymous said...

Not necessarily about the NDA, but I think we have a better idea of the reasoning for moving so much to X bs press office. A lot of reassignment info has been pushed to OrgChart, intentionally or not, and the press office is gone. Top leadership reassigned or retired, whole divisions and their leadership reassigned etc. It’s sad and shocking to me. When executives or supervisory press employees are now Operations Supervisors in field offices or field office support units, or are disability processing specialists everyone is set to fail.

Anonymous said...

I thought the fork in the road offer was expired by the time Flick and these Regional Commissioners left?

Anonymous said...

3:39 A new email was sent out today concerning a new voluntary separation available for those who didn’t take the first one.

Anonymous said...

I am one of them. I’m afraid of retaliation. I honestly believe my pension is at stake, after nearly 30 years of service. No NDA. Just the insanity that we’ve all witnessed. I’m so proud of Tiffany Flick.

Anonymous said...

Heads up. SSA is re-offering the Fork to non mission critical staff.

Anonymous said...

When did this happen?

Anonymous said...

The sabotage continues...

Anonymous said...

If the Execs remain on admin leave, their public comments remain restricted by the Hatch Act. We could hear more after they are no longer considered federal employees

Anonymous said...

I am on leave this week. Can someone post the email about the fork that went out!

Anonymous said...

The email from SSA HR went out at 4:50 pm yesterday.