NSF director memo to staff: Don't worry about those job cuts, at least for now

Court orders halt to layoffs – as folks steering American innovation wonder how long injunction will last

Employees at Uncle Sam's National Science Foundation (NSF) are relieved that the Trump administration's plan to downsize the federal government collided with the US court system on Friday – but they're worried that the relief is only temporary.

A source at the foundation told The Register staff are confused, scared, depressed, angry, and tired of the chaos. They're not sure what comes next and they can't do the job "because we have no funds to make awards."

They do at least have jobs for the time being. Planned staff cuts have been halted temporarily, following a Friday court ruling halting Trump-ordered layoffs.

The Register has seen a memo chief management officer Micah Cheatham sent to NSF staff Tuesday outlining the actions relevant government agencies have thus been temporarily forbidden from taking. These include: "Execution of any existing RIF (reduction in force) notices (including final separation of employees), issuance of any further RIF notices, placement of employees on administrative leave, and transfer of functions or programs between the agency defendant."

The memo goes on to say that Deferred Resignation Program (DRP) and Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA) announcements described in Staff Memorandum OD 25-28 are also affected by the judge's order. It says the order prohibits placing employees on administrative leave and prevents relevant agencies from implementing their Agency RIF and Reorganization Plans (ARRPs).

For those unfamiliar with the NSF's role, the org does not conduct its own research – but serves as a federal funding body, allocating public money to support universities, institutions, and small businesses in advancing scientific progress, education, and innovation across the United States.

What that means for employees, the memo explains, is that those scheduled to go on administrative leave on or after May 10, 2025, will not be placed on leave and will be expected to continue working until further notice. Those who have signed DRP agreements are allowed to continue to work remotely while the court order is in effect. Workers who were on administrative leave prior to the May 9 order can remain so. And those who retired under VERA prior to that date are not affected.

Accommodations will also be made to extend the engagements of certain federal and non-federal temporary employees like visiting scientists.

A spokesperson for the NSF confirmed the halt to RIFs. "On Friday, May 9, 2025, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order that temporarily prevents multiple agencies, including the US National Science Foundation (NSF), from taking action to implement or enforce certain workforce actions.

"As such, NSF has suspended the planned reductions in force (RIFs) of the Senior Executive Service (SES) and the Division of Equity for Excellence in STEM announced in Staff Memorandum OD 25-35 until further notice."

The switch comes after Friday's temporary restraining order [PDF], which blocked the President's executive order 14210, "Implementing the President's 'Department of Government Efficiency' Workforce Optimization Initiative." The judge issued the restraining order in response to a complaint [PDF] filed April 28 by the American Federation Of Government Employees, other union plaintiffs, advocacy groups, and local governments.

As we earlier noted, the temporary restraining order expires on May 23, and the Trump administration is currently appealing it.

While a court filing [PDF] on Monday suggests some agencies, such as the Department of Health and Human Services, have failed to abide by the court order, the NSF at least appears to be trying to comply.

While the cuts are suspended for now, the NSF will continue with its plan to bring employees, with limited exceptions, into its Alexandria, Virginia, headquarters. Employees who have an Alexandria duty station and are not already working full-time in a federal building must begin working full-time at NSF headquarters by May 27. And those in a similar situation who have a duty station other than Alexandria have until June 16 to begin working full-time from NSF headquarters.

Further information on the temporary restraining order and workforce initiatives will be provided when it becomes, the memo concludes. ®