Errors in USAID Termination Letters Cause Confusion & Delays

Errors in USAID Termination Letters Cause Confusion & Delays

Mistakes in Termination Letters Impact USAID Staff

Termination notices issued to U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) staff contained numerous errors, prompting the need for revised versions to prevent issues with pensions and severance pay.

Rapid Implementation Causes Errors

The Department of Government Efficiency issued the notices hastily, resulting in mistakes in employment records. A U.S. official stated that the process was rushed, leading to significant errors affecting workers’ records.

State Department’s Response

The State Department, now responsible for some of USAID’s functions, has not yet commented on the issue. Meanwhile, USAID’s human resources staff, previously on paid administrative leave and facing termination, were recalled to correct the notices.

Inaccuracies in Employment Records

Employees reported that their termination letters contained incorrect information, with some notices only correctly stating their names. Errors included inaccurate employment start dates, service lengths, and salaries—potentially affecting pensions and severance pay.

Revised Termination Dates

An initial wave of termination notices had set employment end dates for April and May, later revised to July 1 or September 2 for some workers. The inconsistencies have created confusion and uncertainty among staff.

Multiple Incorrect Notices

Some employees received up to three different termination letters, all containing various inaccuracies. One employee noted that their federal service record was understated by several years across different versions of their notice.

Impact on Severance and Retirement

Errors in employment records have serious consequences, including incorrect severance calculations and pension reductions. Federal pensions are based on length of service and highest annual salaries, making accurate records essential.

Disruptions to Global Humanitarian Efforts

Since February, USAID has put most of its staff on administrative leave, terminated thousands of contracts, and shut down numerous programs, affecting international aid efforts. Many employees awaiting corrections to their termination notices remain uncertain about their next steps.

Need for Urgent Corrections

Employees who received incorrect termination dates are unable to finalize relocation plans or meet family obligations. Staff awaiting accurate records have urged officials to expedite the corrections process.

Oversight and Accountability

The officials overseeing the termination process are working to correct the mistakes. However, the scale of errors has raised concerns about the overall management of workforce reductions within USAID.

“Errors in USAID Termination Letters Cause Confusion & Delays” “Errors in USAID Termination Letters Cause Confusion & Delays” “Errors in USAID Termination Letters Cause Confusion & Delays”