Approximately 1,000 federal employees of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, a research arm of the CDC, were reinstated Jan. 13 after more than 90% of the agency’s workforce received layoff notices from HHS in April 2025.
Reinstated employees include NIOSH engineers, scientists and technical experts, according to a news release from the American Federation of Government Employees.
AFGE is a federal employee union that represents 820,000 workers in the federal government and government of the District of Columbia.
“Under [HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy’s] leadership, the nation’s critical public health functions remain intact and effective,” an HHS spokesperson said in a Jan. 15 statement shared with Becker’s. “The Trump administration is committed to protecting essential services — whether it’s supporting coal miners and firefighters through NIOSH, safeguarding public health through lead prevention or researching and tracking the most prevalent communicable diseases. Enhancing the health and well-being of all Americans remains our top priority.”
NIOSH is the federal agency that researches workplace safety and health hazards and makes recommendations to prevent work-related injuries and illnesses. It operates under the CDC within HHS, according to the CDC’s website.
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