The NOAA has seen a wave of departures, with about 500 employees opting for a deferred resignation offer. This came immediately after the termination of over 800 probationary staff members, leading to concerns over staffing and operational efficiency within the agency. Acting administrator Nancy Hann has acknowledged the importance of NOAA's mission and is assessing operational impacts from these significant changes. Departures may hinder crucial budget analysis and agency functions, raising alarms about NOAA's future capabilities amidst growing climate challenges.
About 500 employees left the agency on Friday after taking the so-called deferred resignation offer, according to three people familiar with the situation who asked not to be identified by name out of fear of retaliation.
I want to thank all of our departing team members for their service to NOAA and our Nation, Nancy Hann, NOAA's acting administrator, wrote in an email.
Those staff members were fired not because they were necessarily less valuable than other employees, but because they lacked the protection of staff who had been in their current roles for more time.
A former budget analyst at NOAA who was terminated on Thursday and spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retribution said they felt disheartened.
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