Dozens of current and former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) employees gathered at the Georgia State Capitol for a rally to protest recent layoffs and describe the current work environment as chaotic and unsettling. Many attendees held signs with messages such as 'CDC Saves Lives' and 'CDC Makes America Great.'
One of the attendees, Emaad Hassan, a public health advisor with 10 years of experience at the CDC, expressed his concerns about the situation. Hassan, who had worked with the immunization group and the health security program in various countries, received a letter placing him on administrative leave before being terminated on March 14. He stated that he was mistakenly categorized as a probationary worker despite being a full-time employee.
Hassan mentioned his attempts to address the issue with the HR department but claimed that they were reluctant to engage in discussions, creating an atmosphere of fear and apprehension among employees.
Another affected individual, Sonya Arundar, a health communicator and online information user experience specialist hired in December, received a termination notice via email just two days after the layoffs were announced on February 14, referred to by employees as the 'Valentine’s Day Massacre.' Arundar, who had not yet undergone a performance review, was surprised by the termination for alleged poor performance, especially since her manager had expressed satisfaction with her work. She also noted that others with positive performance reviews faced similar dismissals.
The employees described the current state at the CDC as an 'environment of chaos,' with concerns about job security and the overall work atmosphere. The rally served as a platform for them to voice their grievances and demand transparency and fair treatment from the organization.
