FDA Rehires Laid-Off Staff, But Trust in Agency May Be Damaged Forever

The FDA has begun rehiring some of the hundreds of probationary employees it laid off just a week ago as part of the Trump administration’s downsizing efforts. Many affected staff, particularly those funded by industry user fees, were contacted over the weekend and invited back. However, the sudden layoffs and reversal have damaged trust and morale within the agency.

Former FDA Commissioner Robert Califf criticized the handling of the situation, calling it disruptive and harmful. Industry pressure, particularly from groups like AdvaMed, likely influenced the decision to rehire staff. Some affected employees are now exploring private-sector jobs instead of returning. Regulatory experts warn that this instability could impact the FDA’s efficiency. While rehiring may help stabilize operations, concerns about long-term agency trust remain.

FDA Rehires Laid-Off Staff, But Trust in Agency May Be Damaged Forever

Just a week after terminating hundreds of probationary employees, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has begun rehiring some of the affected staff. Over the weekend, FDA’s human resources department contacted a number of recently laid-off employees, inviting them to return to their positions.

Despite this partial reversal, concerns about trust and morale remain among FDA staff. The initial layoffs were part of the Trump administration’s effort to downsize the federal workforce. Some of those recalled received emails stating that their termination letters had been rescinded, their security access would be reinstated, and that leadership had made an exception to retain them.

One source from the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), speaking anonymously, reported that many colleagues who had been dismissed were now being asked to return. However, there has been no official response from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the FDA, or the White House regarding the extent of the rehiring.

Observers believe that pressure from industry groups, particularly those funding the FDA through user fees, played a role in the decision. While some employees are relieved to have their jobs back, uncertainty about the work environment remains. Some fear that their roles may still be at risk in the future, and others worry about a potentially hostile work atmosphere following the layoffs and rehirings.

Former FDA Commissioner Robert Califf acknowledged the necessity of recalling staff but criticized the administration’s handling of the situation, noting that the sudden terminations had eroded trust. Regulatory consultant Allison Komiyama echoed these concerns, stating that many affected employees were now seeking industry positions instead of returning to the agency.

Several former employees, now hesitant to rejoin the agency, have started exploring opportunities in the private sector, particularly within medical device and pharmaceutical companies that value their regulatory expertise. Some believe that this incident has exposed vulnerabilities in the agency’s employment policies, making government positions appear less secure compared to industry roles.

Industry lobby group AdvaMed had previously urged the administration to reverse the layoffs, advocating for a resolution without congressional intervention or legal action. CEO Scott Whitaker welcomed the news of staff being reinstated, emphasizing the importance of maintaining an effective FDA review process. However, experts caution that disruptions like this could lead to regulatory backlogs, slowing down approval timelines for critical medical products.

Meanwhile, regulatory expert Steven Grossman argued that the administration was within its legal rights to terminate staff, including those funded by user fees. However, he noted uncertainty regarding how these workforce changes might impact review deadlines and regulatory processes.

While the rehiring efforts aim to stabilize the agency, the long-term impact on trust and employee morale remains uncertain. The sudden nature of the layoffs, the lack of communication, and the subsequent reversal have left many questioning the agency’s stability and leadership. If similar workforce reductions occur in the future, the FDA may struggle to retain top talent, ultimately affecting its ability to fulfill its public health mission.