In a major reversal, the Department of Health and Human Services has reinstated all 954 employees it laid off during the recent government shutdown.
HHS Deputy Assistant Secretary for Human Resources Thomas Nagy Jr. told a federal court in California that RIF (reduction in force) notices issued during the shutdown have been rescinded. Workers were instructed to return on their next scheduled workday and will receive retroactive pay from October 1 to November 12.
The layoffs, primarily targeting the CDC and pushed by Trump’s administration, were framed as part of an aggressive effort to slash the government workforce. Officials reportedly hoped to pressure Democratic lawmakers.
But unions including the American Federation of Government Employees stepped in, filing a lawsuit that led U.S. District Judge Susan Illston to halt the layoff plans indefinitely.
Even with this win, some reinstated workers worry more cuts could follow when current funding runs out in January.
