NOAA Rehires Previously Fired Probationary Employees

In December 2025, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) offered reinstatement to 40 employees it previously fired in April 2025. These employees, who were serving probationary periods because of recently accepted promotions, had briefly been reinstated in March following court orders, but the department fired them again a month later. They were notified that they would receive nine months of back pay regardless of whether they returned to their positions. Those that chose to accept the reinstatement would return to work on January 12, 2026.