US EditionEducation Department workers targeted in layoffs are returning to tackle civil rights backlog
More than 25,000 discrimination complaints have piled up as staffing dropped by half since January, prompting the Education Department to recall laid-off civil rights workers.
- The U.S. Department of Education ordered dozens of Office for Civil Rights staffers to return to duty so OCR can prioritize its existing complaint caseload.
- A continuing resolution earlier this year paused some RIFs until Jan. 30, though the Education Department argued some more than 200 OCR workers’ layoffs fell outside the CR’s scope.
- Data show the backlog ballooned from about 20,000 to more than 25,000, delaying investigations for students and families as the Office for Civil Rights enforces discrimination laws.
- Julie Hartman confirmed Education will `temporarily bring back` OCR staff, workers have until Monday to decline, and the agency remains committed to defending the RIFs while using paid employees.
- Notices varied — three of four listed Dec. 15 returns with administrative leave ending Dec. 12, one listed Dec. 29 with leave ending Dec. 26; court filings showed 247 OCR workers on leave.
66 Articles
66 Articles
Education Department Rehires Staff to Tackle Discrimination Backlog
The Trump administration is recalling Education Department staff laid off earlier due to lawsuits, to address a growing backlog of discrimination complaints. Despite ongoing litigation, these staffers will return temporarily to handle over 25,000 pending civil rights cases, though the department aims to further downsize.
Education ‘temporarily’ brings back Civil Rights Office staff awaiting court decision
The Education Department informed numerous Office of Civil Rights employees Friday that they are expected to return to work later this month while they await a court ruling on reduction-in-force orders that sidelined them nearly eight months ago. Multiple workers in Education’s OCR told FedScoop they received notices from the agency late Friday afternoon. Those notices stated that they are expected to return in person to their assigned-duty loc…
Laid-Off Ed Dept Staff Return to Clear Civil Rights Backlog
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