The White House is preparing an executive order that mandates massive layoffs within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), according to multiple reports.

The job cuts are expected to reshape the landscape of US public health administration.

The directive primarily targets key agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), compelling them to cut their staff by a predetermined percentage, according to The Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal.

The order could be enacted as early as next week, following the conclusion of a buyout offer extended to current employees. However, the specifics of the order remain under deliberation, and there is a possibility that it may not be implemented.

The impact of job cuts on US health services

The HHS, encompassing over 80,000 employees across various agencies – including the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) – is at the forefront of this initiative.

A reduction in staff could impact critical operations, depending on which positions are eliminated and the concentration of cuts within specific areas.

Agency officials have been instructed to compile lists categorising probationary employees based on the essential nature of their roles.

Probationary employees, typically those with less than one year of service (or two years for ‘excepted service’), can be dismissed more readily than their tenured counterparts.

Within the CDC, leaders have been directed to rank thousands of employees, a move that has heightened concerns about potential layoffs.

Approximately 2,800 probationary and full-time equivalent employees are considered at risk, according to an individual familiar with the situation.

Also Read: US federal government getting ready for layoffs

Deferred resignation offer to federal employees

Concurrently, the Trump administration has offered a resignation package to federal employees, allowing them to resign while continuing to receive pay through the end of September.

The so-called deferred resignation offer was extended to approximately 2 million federal workers, with a deadline to opt in by 11:59 p.m. local time on Thursday.

Reports indicate that at least 50,000 federal workers have enrolled in the programme. However, a federal judge has temporarily halted the deadline to allow more time for legal proceedings concerning its validity.

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), representing 800,000 federal and Washington government workers – including those at the CDC, FDA, and NIH – has advised its members against accepting the resignation offer.

In a communication to its members, AFGE stated (PDF): “There is not yet any evidence the administration can or will uphold its end of the bargain, that Congress will go along with this unilateral massive restructuring, or that appropriated funds can be used this way, among other issues that have been raised.”

These developments have elicited mixed reactions among federal employees. Some view the initiative as a necessary step towards reducing bureaucracy and enhancing efficiency within government operations.

Thomas Schatz of Citizens Against Government Waste remarked: “Trimming the fat is long overdue.”

Conversely, others perceive these measures as unjustly targeting dedicated public servants.

Phil Wenger, a retired Office of Management and Budget employee, defended federal workers, stating they are “hardworking individuals facing unfair scrutiny.”

Also Read: Elon Musk, DOGE order job cuts at Office of Personnel Management

Sustaining public services amid layoffs

The potential implications of these workforce reductions are profound.

The FDA, CDC, and other health agencies play pivotal roles in safeguarding public health, from approving new medications to monitoring disease outbreaks and conducting vital research.

A diminished workforce could compromise these essential functions, affecting public health outcomes and the nation’s preparedness for health emergencies.

For HR leaders, this situation shows the importance of strategic workforce planning and the need to navigate complex organisational changes while maintaining morale and operational integrity.

The unfolding scenario serves as a poignant reminder of the intricacies of organisational efficiency and the sustenance of essential public services.

As the situation evolves, it is imperative for HR professionals within these agencies to provide clear communication, support affected employees, and implement strategies to mitigate the impact on public health services.

The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the trajectory of these workforce changes and their long-term implications for US health infrastructure.