'Gut punch': Fired government workers told to contact dead person if they have complaints
Approximately 10,000 people were fired or laid off from the Department of Health and Human Services on Tuesday — and, if those affected had any discrimination complaints, they were told to contact a woman who died last year.
“If you believe this personnel action is based in whole or in part on discrimination based on your race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability, or in retaliation for prior protected activity, you may file an EEO complaint with your designated HHS EEO representative," the email to employees said.
It then listed Anita Pinder's contact information at the Office of Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Washington Post reported on Tuesday.
Vaughn Green Funeral Services announced Pinder's passing on its website last year and held services the first week of December.
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The Post report stated that it indicates the "chaos" caused by President Donald Trump's ongoing efforts to cut staff and spending in the government.
When he came into office, Trump created the "Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)" by executive order. That initiative has been behind the upheaval and dismantling of government agencies. Websites, grants, programs, and employees have been cut or frozen under the promise that Trump will save taxpayers trillions.
Those who knew Pinder said including her name was "a gut punch," the Post reported.
Karen Shields, who worked with Pinder, said that if someone had asked, the error would likely have been avoided.
“They couldn’t have run it past the people at CMS that were at the funeral and knew she died?” Shields said. “This is a lack of communication. There is just a better way to do this.”
Pinder's position is still vacant months after her passing, but DHS still lists her as a director on the website, the report said.