300+ Probationary Employees Concerned for Our Nation While Facing Personal Hardship One Year After Unlawful Termination

For Immediate Release 5/19/2026

300+ Probationary Employees Concerned for Our Nation While Facing Personal Hardship One Year After Unlawful Termination, New Survey Finds

5/19/2026 The results of a new survey of more than 300 federal probationary employees in 43 states and the Virgin Islands was released today documenting the consequences of their unlawful termination in early 2025. The respondents were employed at some 14 agencies across the federal government.

The informational survey was developed through an interdisciplinary, interagency effort composed of fired probationary employees from the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Health and Human Services, Interior, and others. The results are hosted by the organization 27 UNIHTED, the NIH Alumni Action Network composed of former and current NIH employees in their personal capacities. 

The survey respondents are worried about the damage to public services and safety due to the diminishing federal workforce. Additionally, many probationary employees are still un- or underemployed and dealing with mental health and financial fallout one-year after the mass firings by the Department of Government Efficiency and the current presidential administration. 

The survey results can be viewed at www.27unihted.org/probationaryhome. To interview survey organizers and 18 respondents who are willing to speak on and off record including individuals NIH, NOAA, USFS, FWS, CDC, USDA, CMS, and HHS about their experience with the unlawful termination, its aftermath, and the impact on the American Public, please contact media@27unihted.org. 

To register for a webinar with survey developers on Thursday, May 21, at 3:00PM ET please register here.