More than 1,100 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) employees received emails warning they could be immediately terminated due to their probationary status, sparking fear and frustration among staff. The email, viewed by CBS News, was sent by EPA official Kimberly Patrick and cited a regulation allowing immediate dismissal of probationary employees.
Marie Owens-Powell, president of the EPA employees’ union, said morale is at an all-time low, with tenured employees who recently changed roles also receiving the notice. She noted no other federal agencies issued similar emails. “Every day, folks are afraid to turn their computers on,” she said.
Adding to the uncertainty, the Office of Management and Budget’s temporary pause on government funds has halted EPA grant processing, delaying payroll and projects.
Despite the upheaval, union membership has surged, and employees are rallying to fight the changes. “It’s backfired, and people are furious,” Owens-Powell said.
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