Washington (CNN) As rumors of yet another staff shakeup loom over the White House, chief of staff John Kelly and senior White House officials looked to assure their employees on Friday that no firings are imminent.

Kelly urged aides during a senior staff meeting to focus on their work, rather than the rampant rumors about another staff shake-up in the West Wing, two officials said. The retired four-star general later reminded staff they are serving their country and have important work to do, the officials said, and told them no shakeup was forthcoming.

Other senior White House officials carried a similar message to their employees Friday, telling more junior staffers that reports of a big shake-up happening imminently are likely overrated.

In the wake of a week of tumult -- including President Donald Trump's decision to fire Secretary of State Rex Tillerson -- CNN spoke to about a half-dozen sources inside and outside of the White House.

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters Friday that Kelly's efforts were an attempt to keep staffers focused on their work, not the swirl of drama about staff shake-ups.

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