It’s a major workforce cutback.
The Trump administration’s decision to eliminate probationary employees at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has resulted in the termination of nearly 1,300 staff members, about 10% of the agency’s workforce. This move was communicated to CDC leadership by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Friday morning, with affected employees being given four weeks of paid administrative leave. However, the exact timing for when employees will be notified remains unclear.
This decision is part of a broader restructuring effort aimed at streamlining the federal government to make it more efficient and responsive to the American people. With a budget of $9.2 billion, the CDC plays a crucial role in protecting public health, responding to disease outbreaks, and providing health information. Before the cuts, the agency employed about 13,000 people, including over 2,000 working internationally.
Many of the laid-off employees held key roles at the CDC, with a significant portion having advanced degrees. In addition to new hires, probationary status is also applied to veteran employees who have been recently promoted to new management positions. Critics, including Dr. Joshua Barocas, an infectious disease expert, argue that eliminating these employees could hinder the CDC’s ability to respond effectively to public health threats. Barocas emphasized that probationary employees play vital roles in maintaining the agency’s operations and preventing disruptions in disease research and response.
The CDC has long been considered a global leader in disease control and health information. The agency’s staff is made up largely of scientists, many of whom are not unionized. The move to lay off probationary staff is seen as a significant disruption to the CDC’s work, particularly given the agency’s importance in addressing global health issues.
Overall, the layoffs are part of the administration’s efforts to restructure federal agencies, but critics warn that the removal of experienced and essential staff may lead to negative long-term consequences for public health. These changes, especially within the CDC, could impair the agency’s ability to effectively manage future disease outbreaks and ongoing public health challenges.
