Transportation Department workers with 'exceptional' reviews told they're fired for 'performance' issues

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: NBC News

Feb. 16, 2025, 2:17 PM EST


Letters went out to dozens of probationary employees in at least one section of the Department of Transportation that said part of the reason they were being fired was for poor performance, according to a copy of the letter obtained by NBC News. But as a source familiar and a secondary document viewed by NBC News laid out, most of those employees were rated as being “exceptional” performers by their supervisors.

“Employee has demonstrated exceptional performance and has no conduct issues,” supervisor reviews read for many of the laid-off workers. “These letters that we’re sending these employees, I feel so bad because they’re lying,” the person familiar said. “All of them, pretty much, were exceptional performers. It’s just crazy to me.”

The firings come as the Trump administration steps up its purge of the federal workforce. But they’re being done so quickly, and are often directed by people with no government experience, that agencies are having to contend with the messy fallout — which has included trying to un-fire people.

On Thursday, Office of Personnel Management officials notified agencies that they should cut loose their probationary employees, which could affect hundreds of thousands of people, according to OPM data, though the exact number of those who will be let go was not immediately clear. Probationary status has nothing to do with performance; it typically indicates someone who has been working in the federal government for less than two years — before full civil service protections kick in. It can also apply to longtime civil service workers who move to a different agency or job.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/doge/federal-workers-exceptional-reviews-fired-performance-issues-rcna192347

[LakeVermilion]

1. Cruelty is TSF's feature.

Let's not just fire them, let's fire them in the worst possible way.

He should have invited the group to a convention in Yellowstone and fired them there. (sarcasm) They're lucky, I suppose, cause they are close to home.

[Wingus Dingus]

2. That's to ruin them for the future.

Can't just let them go, have to punish them too.

[biophile]

3. Yet another way to screw people

In some states, I think unemployment benefits can be denied if the firing is for performance. Even if you appeal successfully, it is time consuming and you don’t get benefits until you win the appeal. It also gives the union less leverage to fight on your behalf for unjust termination.

[LisaL]

4. Yes, I think it can deny them unemployment benefits.

NT

[Wiz Imp]

15. I can find NO states that deny unemployment benefits if the termination is due to

poor performance. Generally, to be denied, you need to have been fired for misconduct or violating company policy.

[OnlinePoker]

5. I saw this FAFO post on Reddit yesterday from a USDA Trump voter

I can't stop my tiny violin from playing.

[intrepidity]

7. Will probably be reinstated

This is what he wants, people begging him and professing loyalty.

[VMA131Marine]

8. Even now, after being fired, she still thinks Trump's on her side

She’s delusional.

And she was totally fine with everyone getting fired until it affected her.

This is cult behaviour.

[slightlv]

11. I wonder if trump, musk, and others have stopped

laughing at this fool yet. FAFO... yet she STILL doesn't "get it"...

[Hekate]

6. Joe called trump The Sick Fuck with good reason

[LiberalArkie]

9. Were they registered D in their states voter records? That is public info.

Take the name, their address and birth date, run it through that states voter records.. Bingo non loyal employees

[IronLionZion]

10. It's to ruin their chances of future employment elsewhere or to sue for wrongful termination

Doing one's job correctly is "fraud, waste, and abuse" for Musk's super qualified boys who did not have time to pass security clearance background investigations due to genius level meritocracy.

They are punishing civil servants and promoting distrust in government.

[chouchou]

13. Destroy people's life and comfort...on a whim.

What a disgusting filthy human.

[LilElf70]

14. Ya know it's Trump and his minions kissing the ring,

Lies from the top down. They certainly like playing this "kiss my ring" bullshit.

I just don't get what the benefits might be for doing this. Maybe keep your job for a while longer?

[Wiz Imp]

16. Trump & Musk are setting themselves up for a massive class action lawsuit.

Unfortunately, the millions of dollars which would be paid in damages will be ultimately paid by taxpayers.

[LilElf70]

17. I sure don't recall

this useless POS saying anything pre election about the fact that all of these layoffs and/or firings by the 10s of thousands will raise the unemployment rate. Would it have mattered? I don't know. Probably not. I read something this morning that there was a huge increase in UE in the DC area. Surprise, surprise. Not to mention how unexpected this was, nor how unprofessional this was presented to the employees. What a piece of work this guy is, And not as a good thing.

[Baitball Blogger]

18. Hmm...That sounds like a valid ground for a lawsuit.

You know the kiddies and Musk aren't even trying to see these people on a one to one case.