Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy recently announced 10,000 workers would be fired.
WASHINGTON—U.S. health agencies have started terminations recently announced by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., employees said on April 1.
One person who has worked for the federal government for decades said she and co-workers regularly worked more than 10 hours a day and were surprised on Tuesday morning to find they were unable to enter their workplace.
“That’s what hurts about all of this—that with all of that dedication, this is what we get in return,” she told the Epoch Times.
She said that she may seek employment at the county level or take up volunteer work.
Another laid-off U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) employee, a young man, said that he was not sure if there would be any opportunities in Washington as he looks for his next job.
He said the layoffs were handled badly, with some workers initially unable to retrieve their personal belongings, and that the termination email he received contained what he described as inaccurate information about his job performance.
“This was an uneducated, unscientific process, where I think they were just trying to reach a number,” he said.
The workers spoke on condition of anonymity since they are still negotiating severance packages.
Other fired employees were seen Tuesday taking their belongings from or being prevented from entering the HHS building in Washington.
“It is unacceptable RFK Jr. is blocking federal workers from entering HHS. Employees are standing outside the building being told they no longer have jobs,” Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.) said on social media platform X. “These federal employees have dutifully served our nation and are owed more from the Trump Administration.”
HHS did not respond to requests for comment by publication time.
The department previously fired about 3,200 newer workers, but has been reinstating them under orders from a federal judge.
Kennedy announced on March 27 that the agency would fire about 10,000 workers, on top of those who have already retired early or accepted buyout offers.
“We are going to streamline HHS to make our agency more efficient and more effective,” Kennedy said in a video.
By Zachary Stieber and Stacy Robinson
