Boulder NOAA workers face uncertain reinstatement status

A former NOAA worker, Lindsey Larvick, is dealing with the aftermath of being fired in a mass layoff at the agency last month. She was one of ten employees let go from her Boulder lab on February 27 as part of federal cuts. Recently, she received a letter from the Department of Commerce stating she would be reinstated while a legal issue is resolved. Larvick was notified of her termination during a team meeting and had just two hours to leave the building. Many coworkers were also caught off guard by the sudden layoffs. Some returned to find their accounts locked, leaving them unaware of their job losses. Larvick called this experience "traumatizing” for everyone involved. After her firing, Larvick had to manage her finances carefully and apply for unemployment benefits. Despite the letter confirming her reinstatement, she stated that she hasn’t been able to access her work systems or benefits, leaving her feeling unsure about her employment status. The exact number of NOAA layoffs remains unclear, as agency representatives have declined to provide details. Local groups in Boulder, including the Boulder Chamber, are working to understand the impact of these layoffs on the community. Officials express concern over the loss of experienced workers crucial for government services and research. Larvick, who had been with NOAA for nearly two years, emphasized that these cuts could delay critical operations like weather forecasting, which rely on the data produced by her lab. She noted that her lab generates millions of valuable data points each year used worldwide.