A federal judge in California has enjoined the Trump Administration from mass layoffs and program closures at a couple dozen federal agencies including the Social Security Administration. The extent to which this may affect Social Security is unclear. Were mass layoffs in the cards anyway?
This is an authoritative regime so EVERYTHING is on the table.
ReplyDeleteMany people in HQ and the regional offices were already reassigned, those who declined a reassignment were expected to be RIFd. Who knows if this order impacts the reassignments or not.
ReplyDeleteActually quite a few were asked to reconsider their request to reassign and stay where they are.
DeleteDepends on where you work. ROs are hollowed out with potential RIFs. FO are fine but no more telework. ALJs have it best of all: full-time telework and zero chance of RIFs. The highest paid always get the best deals.
ReplyDeleteALJs do NOT have full-time telework. They hold in-person hearings routinely.
DeleteAnd grow up. Spreading lies of this nature and sniping your fellow workers will NOT affect your own telework situation and does nothing but breed resentment and ill will on both sides.
DOJ in court filings is taking the stance that ALJs are “at will” employees. Patience young grasshopper
DeleteDepends how you define “routinely.” Only about 15% of hearings are in person. Most ALJs only come in once a month, maybe twice. And they pretty much all refuse to do any mixed modality days. So fine, they don’t have full time telework. But they are certainly doing better than virtually every Agency employee except for the decision writers.
DeleteThe likelihood of benefit changes, especially elimination of the fers supplement, is adding to the mass exodus of experienced people leaving g.
ReplyDeletehttps://federalnewsnetwork.com/explainers/2025/05/answering-common-questions-about-republicans-proposed-federal-benefits-cuts/
DeleteFederal agencies cannot take any action to implement its widespread layoff plans across government after a federal judge ruled the Trump administration has likely acted unlawfully in ordering the staffing reductions.
ReplyDeleteThe pause came in the form of a temporary restraining order and will last at least 14 days, Judge Susan Illston for the U.S. Court for the Northern District of California ruled Friday evening, meaning agencies cannot issue any reduction-in-force notices through May 23. The order came as several agencies, such as the Interior Department, Agriculture and others, were expected to begin implementing large-scale layoffs in the coming days.
SSA has no plan for the future. A return to 10 Regions and recall of their specialized and highly skilled support is essential to restoring internal operations. Once reestablished, a thoughtful search for sensible efficiencies can begin. SSA is putting out inaccurate and misleading information. Operating parameters are being changed to reflect supposide efficiencies made in the last few weeks. In reality things are getting worse in the field offices every day and the public sees it, but news media are more focused on criminal illegal aliens. Real help is needed now!
ReplyDeleteSounds like all those forced voluntary reassignments were made under duress of a threatened RIF are going to be overturned. Those fellow employees did not deserve to be treated so bad for a few bogus headlines.
ReplyDeleteThe American people need to be made aware of what is happening at SSA. The employees are being disrespected and abused. Such actions were the reasons a non-political civil service was instituted over 150 years ago. The rank and file of SSA are not the so called deep state. They are doing a great service for the American people and should be respected and treated fairly. Over the last 3 months, a soviet style pogrom has been enforced and internal chaos is the rule of the day. Not a way to treat us or to degrade our services.
ReplyDeleteThe independence of the ALJs is at risk. If the agency can fire them at will it will most likely mean an increase in denials and dismissals. ALJs with high grant rates are being scrutinized and their favorable decisions are being reviewed..
ReplyDeleteThis order unfortunately won't make it past the next court review.
ReplyDeleteOn the spot award for federal employees?
ReplyDeleteBecause contracts have been cut by the administration's attempts to impose spending cuts and freezes, federal employees in some locations are having to pitch in on janitorial work. Some people say they are cleaning toilets instead of doing the jobs for which they were hired.