Valentine's Day, typically a day of celebration, turned into a day of uncertainty and heartache for Emily and many other disabled federal employees. Stuck in the hospital due to a high-risk pregnancy, Emily was celebrating her current pregnancy passing an important milestone while mourning the loss of her previous stillborn child. Her husband surprised her with a cake, but as he left to fetch drinks, Emily received devastating news: her job was among those slated for termination. This unexpected turn of events not only shattered Emily’s career dreams but also highlighted the broader impact of recent federal layoffs on workers with disabilities.

Emily, who worked for a federal initiative aimed at promoting school readiness for children from low-income families, had found stability through a special hiring pathway designed to help people with disabilities bypass the usual lengthy federal recruitment process. However, this safety net seemed to crumble under the new administration's efforts to reduce the size of the federal workforce. The mandatory two-year probation period made many disabled employees particularly vulnerable to these cuts. While it is unclear how many of the 330,000 disabled federal workers were affected, the layoffs have left many feeling betrayed and questioning their future prospects.

The layoffs extended beyond just those hired within the last two years; they included employees who had switched jobs or received promotions within the federal government. Veterans who had transitioned into federal service after military careers felt especially let down. One veteran with PTSD expressed deep disappointment, feeling that the country had turned its back on them. “I feel betrayed,” they said, emphasizing the lack of due process and respect shown to dedicated public servants.

For many disabled workers, these federal roles were more than just jobs—they were opportunities to make a difference. A health communicator who had worked for nearly a decade around the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention described their position as a lifeline after enduring an emotionally abusive relationship. “It gave me something positive when I felt like my life was almost over,” they said. The sudden termination of these positions has not only impacted the lives of the employees but also compromised critical services provided by the government.

Despite the challenges faced by disabled workers, the federal courts have upheld the mass firings, leaving terminated employees without immediate recourse. The pressure to find new employment quickly is compounded by higher healthcare needs and ongoing biases against people with disabilities. Many disabled workers feel they must overperform just to be considered equal, making the loss of these federal positions even more devastating. As one employee put it, “When you have a disability, you already feel like you have to be 150% better just to get treated the same.”

The emotional and financial instability caused by these layoffs has left many disabled workers reconsidering their future in federal service. The dream of a stable, meaningful career has been replaced by uncertainty and doubt. For Emily and countless others, the Valentine's Day layoffs marked a painful chapter in their professional lives, highlighting the need for greater support and protection for vulnerable workers in the federal workforce.