1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

I am deeply concerned by the recent directive from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to fire a large number of federal employees who are still in their probationary period. This mass termination, potentially impacting up to 200,000 workers across various agencies, raises serious legal issues and goes against principles of due process and fair employment practices. Federal employees, even those in their probationary period, are afforded certain protections under the law. They cannot be fired en masse without individualized assessments of their performance or adherence to proper reduction-in-force procedures. The law requires that employees be informed of any inadequacies in their work before termination, and terminations must be based on legitimate cause, not arbitrary or politically motivated reasons. Firing probationary employees on such a large scale, without following proper protocols, not only violates their rights but also risks severely disrupting the operations and effectiveness of federal agencies. These employees were hired to serve the American people, and their sudden dismissal could hinder the government's ability to fulfill its responsibilities efficiently. I urge you to intervene and ensure that any terminations of federal employees, probationary or otherwise, are carried out in strict compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Mass firings without due process undermine the principles of good governance and fair treatment of public servants. Federal agencies must be allowed to retain qualified and dedicated personnel to maintain continuity and effectively serve the nation's interests.