Department of Veterans Affairs Dismisses Over 1,000 Employees Amid Federal Workforce Reduction
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced the dismissal of more than 1,000 employees on Thursday, December 1, 2022, as part of the Trump administration’s initiative to reduce the size of the federal workforce.
Rationale and Impact
According to the VA, the move is expected to save the department over $98 million annually, allowing them to redirect those resources towards healthcare, benefits, and services for veterans. This aligns with the VA’s mission to provide the best possible care and benefits to veterans and their families.
"At VA, we are focused on saving money so it can be better spent on Veteran care," said VA Secretary Doug Collins. "We thank these employees for their service to VA. This was a tough decision, but ultimately, it’s the right call to better support the Veterans, families, caregivers, and survivors the department exists to serve."
Probationary Employees Targeted
The majority of the dismissed employees were probationary employees, who typically have less than a year of service. This decision was made by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which also released over 200,000 probationary employees across various departments, including the U.S. Forest Service, the Energy Department, and OPM itself.
Exempted Employees
Certain probationary employees were exempted from these dismissals due to their roles in providing critical benefits and services for VA beneficiaries. Additionally, employees covered under collective bargaining agreements were also not affected.
No Impact on VA Services
The VA emphasized that these dismissals would not negatively impact healthcare, benefits, or services provided to veterans. The department plans to announce additional measures in the coming weeks and months to utilize the saved resources in ways that benefit veterans and their families.
Immediate Dismissals
The dismissals took effect immediately, and employees were notified accordingly. The VA has designated representatives in each chain of command who can request exemptions for essential personnel.
Background
The Trump administration has been pursuing a series of initiatives to reduce the size of the federal workforce, which has grown significantly in recent years. These efforts aim to streamline government operations and reduce spending.
Additional Context
- The VA currently has over 43,000 probationary employees across the department.
- Approximately 10% of the federal workforce, or over 200,000 employees, were dismissed on Thursday.
- The Trump administration has also offered buyouts to federal employees, including remote workers, as part of its workforce reduction efforts.
