National Science Foundation to Reinstate Dozens of Fired Employees Following Court Ruling and OPM Guidance
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced that it will reinstate several dozen employees who were recently terminated as part of sweeping cuts to the federal government. This decision comes in the wake of a court ruling and guidance issued by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). The reinstatement process will prioritize specific groups, including individuals with disabilities, veterans, and military spouses.
NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan addressed the agency’s staff in a memo, informing them that the process of rehiring certain terminated probationary employees is underway. He specifically highlighted the guidance received from the OPM, which allows agencies to retain probationary employees who have an identified disability, are veterans, or are military spouses.
"Last week, we received guidance from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which allows agencies to retain probationary employees who have an identified disability, are veterans, or are military spouses," Panchanathan wrote. "We started the process to reinstate those impacted probationary employees right away."
The OPM serves as the federal government’s chief human resources agency, providing guidance and support to federal agencies on matters related to personnel management.
The NSF confirmed the reinstatements and emphasized the value of its employees. "Every NSF employee makes important contributions to the NSF mission and the national science, engineering, and technology enterprise every day," the agency stated.
Jesus Soriano, the president of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3403, the union representing more than 1,000 workers at the NSF, estimated that around 84 to 86 probationary employees may be rehired as a result of this action. He noted that approximately 10% of the NSF staff had been terminated in the previous month.
The decision to reinstate the employees follows a recent ruling by a federal judge who temporarily blocked the Trump administration from its mass firing of probationary federal employees. This group included some of the newest hires and those who had been placed on probationary status after being promoted to new positions.
Judge William Alsup of the U.S. District Court for the Northern California District ruled that the mass firings were likely unlawful and ordered the OPM to halt the action. The NSF, like other federal government agencies, had previously terminated probationary employees as part of the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) strategy, which aimed to reduce the size of the federal workforce.
In his memo, Panchanathan also stated that the fired NSF employees will receive back pay and will not experience any break in service. Prior to the firings, the NSF had approximately 2,100 workers in permanent, temporary, and contract positions, with the majority of them working at the NSF’s headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia.
"This is welcome news to all of us," Panchanathan wrote. "We recognize that these actions have had a significant impact to staff and all of you."
Soriano, the NSF union representative, expressed his satisfaction with the announcement, stating that it was well received by the union membership. "AFGE Local 3403 looks forward to the prompt reinstatement of the hardworking scientists and administrators that were illegally terminated," Soriano said.
Soriano, who is also a program director for the NSF Partnerships for Innovation initiative, which provides funding to academic and nonprofit research, emphasized the importance of investing in science, technology, and innovation to maintain America’s global leadership. "America cannot remain a global leader unless we invest in science, technology and innovation," he stated.
The reinstatement of these employees is a significant development that addresses concerns about the impact of the workforce reductions on the NSF’s ability to fulfill its mission. It also highlights the importance of protecting the rights of probationary employees, particularly those with disabilities, veterans, and military spouses. The court’s decision and the OPM’s guidance have played a crucial role in ensuring that these employees are given the opportunity to return to their positions at the NSF.
This situation also serves as a reminder of the ongoing debates surrounding the size and efficiency of the federal workforce. The Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) strategy aimed to reduce the size of the federal workforce, but these actions have been met with legal challenges and concerns about the potential negative impact on government services and employee morale. The reinstatement of these NSF employees represents a step towards restoring stability and ensuring that the agency has the necessary personnel to support its critical mission.
