Jessica Perkins thought she was safe from being fired because she was no longer considered a probationary employee.
When she transferred from a civilian Department of Defense job at Fairchild Air Force Base to an equivalent administrative position at the Centers for Disease Control’s mining research lab in Spokane last summer, she was told her time at the old job would count toward tenure. Her two-year probation from the first job ended in January.
She was fired along with two experienced researchers on Feb. 14, she said, as part of President Trump and Elon Musks’ mass firings across the federal workforce.
“They are not taking the time to review people’s records, they are just eliminating people,” Perkins said.
Perkins was a program specialist for the Spokane Mining Research Division at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s Spokane Research Laboratory. The little-known lab tucked behind a BMW dealership in the Logan neighborhood studies health and safety for miners. It’s one of two NIOSH mining research facilities – the other is in Pittsburgh.
“We are helping to improve occupational safety and health and well-being of people working in America,” Perkins said.
Lambert here: See, there’s your problem.
Perkins’ termination letter had the subject line: “Notification of Termination During Probationary Period.” It was signed by Jeffery Anoka, acting chief human capital officer for the Department of Health and Human Services.
“Unfortunately, the Agency finds that you are not fit for continued employment because your ability, knowledge and skills do not fit the Agency’s current needs, and your performance has not been adequate to justify further employment at the Agency,” the letter states.
Perkins was placed on administrative leave for one month ending March 14. The letter states she has 30 days to appeal. She said she sent several emails but has received no response.
Her supervisor gave her a positive performance review in January, she said, and she was on track for a major pay raise at the end of her first year in June.
Perkins said she went through a rigorous six-month recruitment process to get the job, then went through another seven months of training on the job. She was hired to relieve part of the workload from another employee, and the division had fought for some time to get the position approved. With her position eliminated, more work will fall back on her former counterpart.
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