Inside Voices: Fired Utahns call layoffs ‘careless’ and ‘cruel’

Happy Saturday, and welcome to Inside Voices, a weekly newsletter that features a collection of ideas, perspectives and solutions from across Utah — without any of the vitriol or yelling that’s become all too common on other platforms. Subscribe here.

President Donald Trump’s administration and its Department of Government Efficiency are firing tens of thousands of federal workers — and it’s impacting Utahns across the state.

Dr. M. Allison Stegner, an ecologist who worked for the U.S. Geological Survey in Moab until Feb. 14, wrote in an op-ed that she was laid off days before her one-year job anniversary.

“Now, rather than paying income taxes in Utah and continuing to work sustaining the health of the federal lands that fuel Utah’s economy, I am applying for unemployment in Utah,” she wrote. “How does that benefit taxpayers? Because these layoffs were hasty and careless, the research I was paid to do over the last 11+ months is unfinished, won’t ultimately aid public lands management and represents another waste of taxpayer money. Multiply my story across thousands of federal employees who are now in the same circumstance.”

Here’s what you had to say about the firings on social media:

• “The VA hospital is already short-staffed. Cutting down more employees and scaring them isn’t the answer. As a veteran, I respect every single VA healthcare worker.”

• “We moved our family so my husband could work for the federal government. He even took a pay cut because he was doing the same job on military orders and loved it so much he wanted to do it full time. So, now we wait to see if he gets fired because he is considered ‘probationary’ even though he technically has five years experience already and is highly skilled at what he does. The people being careless and cruel about millions of people like us are what is wrong with this country right now. This isn’t how a country should treat its veterans or anyone working federal jobs.”

• “Layoffs for cost cutting measures is a hard pill to swallow, but that is what happens. Many people get laid off from mergers, cost cutting measures, etc. and it’s not the employees’ fault, but it does happen. If your status is probationary when you were hired, I would’ve been on my toes still looking for work just in case my job would be cut. That is what probationary means. I hate it when anyone has job loss, it’s awful, but let’s see what the bigger picture is here. If laying off people at the IRS is an effort to eventually eliminate the Federal Tax rate, then it’s a necessary evil.”

• “Just contacted senators. I agree the government has wasted billions of dollars, which is not OK, but cutting back on National Parks is a no-no.”

• “These unhinged and delusional comments are disgusting. We’re broke, we have to cut back everywhere. National parks will be impacted, everything will be impacted. We’ll be OK.”

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Utah Voices

The following excerpts come from op-eds recently published in The Tribune.

Higher education

• “For faculty, the risks are real; the cost of silence is far greater,” writes assistant professor Charles McMartin. “Retreating into the safety of our offices may shield us temporarily, but it will not protect the students who rely on us, or the communities we claim to serve. I urge fellow faculty to step into the fray, to share their expertise in public discourse and to challenge the myth that higher education is inherently partisan. The truth is that our work is about equipping all students, regardless of their background or beliefs, to navigate the complexities of our political landscape with clarity, courage and critical thought.” Read more.

• “Maybe, instead of forever floundering to make the case that a liberal education based in the humanities is good for everyone, engineers and accountants as well as poets and philosophers, we should just change what we call it,” writes George Pyle. “The Seven Conservative Arts. A conservative arts education, or institution. It might make politicians feel better, and keep their mitts off of university funding, but those really involved in our institutions of higher learning really wouldn’t have to change anything other than the stationery.” Read more.

Voting in Utah

• “Our trust in government and the systems we employ is under attack, and our lawmakers should not be the attackers,” writes Katharine Biele, the president of the Utah League of Women Voters. “Utah citizens should contact their representatives to voice their support for our system. We should not allow unfounded fears to infect what has been proved to be a safe, effective and reliable institution.” Read more.

Hunger in Utah

• “While reality show cameras and our Instagram feeds focus on some of the state’s wealthier residents, many here are struggling — and hungry,” writes Emily Bell McCormick with The Policy Project. “For me, the lure of a couture life juxtaposed with extreme need in the very same city, can be hard to understand or even believe.” Read more.

Climate Change

• “It’s easy to forget about decreasing snowpack levels when resorts like Park City, Snowbird, Solitude and Alta still host thousands of visitors every winter,” writes Helena “Ellie” Huizenga. “But warmer weather and inconsistent snowfall are forcing Salt Lake City and Park City ski resorts to turn to snowmaking in the early season. And despite a few record-breaking snowfalls in the last few years, the pattern of decreased snowfall does not bode well for the future of our favorite slopes.” Read more.

Share Your Perspective

We’re coming up on the anniversary of the coronavirus arriving in Utah. I’m curious: What has changed for you in the five years since the pandemic? Share your perspective.

From Bagley’s Desk

I’m always looking for unique perspectives, ideas and solutions that move our state forward. Learn more about our guidelines for an op-ed, guest essay, letter to the editor and more here, and drop me a note at voices@sltrib.com.