Categories: Business

I am a licensed federal worker who refused a chance to come back

Jacob Saunders, 25, lives in Silver Spring, Maryland, and, in February, lost his job at Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, an American federal agency, as part of Cutbacks orchestrated by the Government Department of Effectiveness. He said he had received a return offer in CMS but refused. Business Insider has verified his identity, that he worked for the federal government and that he received a return offer.

Growing up, I had friends of the family who had government jobs and who talked a lot because of the advantages and the work itself. I saw this as an opportunity. At school, I won a master’s degree in domestic security. It was like a good footbridge to a decent career.

After what felt a long period of demand, I became a trainee student at the Ministry of Internal Security. I was there for nine months – until September 2024 – shortly after completing his higher education.

It was a wonderful experience. The projects we have worked on were often well known in public and news. I really felt like I could make a difference.

After that, I returned to work part -time by looking for a full -time role. At the end of 2024, I obtained a job at the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Even if it was different from internal security, I appreciated the work. In addition, the salary was competitive and the advantages were good.

At CMS, I was essentially a team analyst of a team that managed an assessment program for medical care professionals provided and then allocated funding.

Problem signs

Shortly after starting at CMS, I heard about little work strokes. A joker joking something like: “What if we are all licensed?” However, I did not take it too seriously.

A few days before letting me go, the news announced that the president had ordered agencies to dismiss probation employees. It was then that I became worried.

The day before my dismissal, I checked my email every two seconds, but there was no notice. The next day, February 15 was a Saturday and I was at home. I opened my work laptop and the message was there.

Even if I saw him coming, I have always been surprised. Your heart flows. I think I said something aloud like: “Oh, no. Why did it happen?”

My supervisor did not even know that I was going to be dismissed. I had to send them SMS that day to tell them. I was the only one in my team of 14 or 15 people who were cut.

It was disappointing because I had the impression that everyone in my team was trying to inform me and becoming a precious contributor. I felt like I did my best to be professional and do what I was supposed to do. In addition to that, I miss people.

My dismissal seemed impersonal because the reason mentioned, which everyone has obtained and I know is illegitimate, was linked to the way in which I did my job. E-mail said something like: “We consider that from your performance that you are unfit for the post.” It has no idea to hear this from someone I had never met.

In addition, I was only there for five weeks. You can’t really assess someone according to this short period of time.

Fortunately, I was not so far from part -time jobs that I had before going to CMS.

The night I was dismissed, I sent a text to my former boss of my work as a secondary button coating for the JV team. I could return to this position because they had not found a replacement. I was also a flag football referee on weekends, so I also returned.

I was grateful that my old jobs still had spots for me; They could have said no.

The recall

But a month after being dismissed from CMS, my old supervisor called one morning and explained that I could come back. They said they needed an answer later in the day.

I was in conflict because it was a happy place to work. I would love to go back and pretend that everything was back to normal. Unfortunately, it is simply not reality. I was already dismissed once, so I will never feel safe there, at least while this administration is in power.

It’s been just a month, so I don’t want to say that I had evolved, but I had advanced. When they offered a chance to come back, I said to myself: “I have these other jobs now, and I can’t drop everything right to go back.”

I would not have had enough time to give two weeks notice to the people who rehired me for my part -time jobs. They came for me when I needed it, and it’s just that I remain faithful to my commitment. I don’t think I could leave them like that.

Fortunately, I live with my parents, so these jobs help me avoid spending my food and gas savings.

I keep an open mind

I would always like to find something else that would benefit my career. Obtaining a full -time job has not been easy, but you just have to be consistent and apply every day, and ultimately, an opportunity will occur.

For the moment, I am looking for jobs in the private sector and the government of the state. I want to find something that will give me a future. It seems that a federal job is unlikely, even if that’s what I prefer. Work for something bigger than you are always good.

When I was in government and someone asked me what I was doing, I was delighted to tell him. It was as if it was impressive and I would like to continue this aspect – from the public service. However, it is also more than possible, I will find something in the private sector where I believe in the mission.

I did my best to keep my mind open. The silver lining to all of this is that it is a chance to reset and reassess.

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