JPL Staff Receive Official Layoff Notices
▼ Summary
– JPL is undergoing a Phase Two reorganization and an upcoming layoff in October 2025.
– As many as 4,000 of the 5,500 JPL employees could be laid off by October 15, 2025.
– There will be a mandatory return to the office for teleworkers still employed by October 31, 2025.
– Human Resources is requesting all employees update their personal contact information in Workday, as work contact details cannot be used for personal information.
– Employees are reminded to move any personal files from JPL devices to their personal devices and not to remove JPL proprietary data.
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has issued an official communication to its workforce regarding a significant upcoming reorganization and staff reduction. An internal email from JPL Human Resources, dated September 26, 2025, warns employees that the “Phase Two” initiative could result in the departure of as many as 4,000 individuals from the current staff of 5,500 by October 15, 2025. The message also states that all remaining teleworkers must return to the office by October 31, 2025.
The email, with the subject line “Update Your Personal Contact Information in Workday,” frames the request as a necessary step to maintain clear communication and provide support during the impending changes. It explains that a review of employee files revealed incomplete or incorrect personal contact details. Staff are being asked to promptly log into the Workday system to add or correct their personal email addresses and phone numbers.
A critical point of emphasis in the notice is the strict separation between work and personal information. JPL policy explicitly forbids employees from using their work email or work phone number as their primary personal contact. The HR department recommends that staff maintain a separate personal device for privacy and convenience, reminding everyone that personal use of JPL electronic resources should be limited to incidental and reasonable purposes.
Furthermore, the communication serves as a reminder for personnel to remove any personal files, such as documents or photographs, from JPL-owned devices. Employees are instructed to transfer these items to their personal storage solutions as soon as possible, while being careful not to remove any proprietary or work-related JPL data. The underlying message prepares the workforce for a major transition, urging them to secure their personal information ahead of potential layoffs.
(Source: Nasa Watch)
