The Trump administration is launching a sweeping "deferred resignation" program targeting federal workers, offering buyouts as part of its strategy to bring employees back to the office. This initiative allows federal employees to resign by February 6 while continuing to receive pay and benefits through September 30. The administration aims to phase out work-from-home allowances introduced during the coronavirus pandemic and mandate a five-day workweek in the office. Emails detailing the buyout offer will be dispatched beginning Tuesday afternoon, marking a significant shift in federal employment policies.
This government-wide program seeks to streamline the federal workforce by offering buyouts, a move that could see up to 10% of federal employees accepting the offer, according to a senior administration official. It is anticipated that millions of federal workers will be affected by this initiative. The administration views the buyout as a form of deferred resignation, allowing employees to depart their roles while still receiving compensation until September 30.
The deferred resignation program emerges from the administration's call for a return to pre-pandemic work arrangements. During the COVID-19 crisis, work-from-home allowances became commonplace, enabling federal employees to perform their duties remotely. However, the current push emphasizes in-office presence five days a week, a shift from the flexible work arrangements that have been in place for several years.
The strategy behind this program appears twofold: firstly, to ensure that federal operations return to their traditional office settings, and secondly, to reduce the overall number of federal employees through voluntary resignations. By offering buyouts, the administration creates an incentive for those considering leaving their positions to do so voluntarily, potentially easing budgetary pressures and reducing the federal workforce.
Emails outlining the details of this program will begin reaching federal employees on Tuesday afternoon. Recipients of these emails will have until February 6 to decide whether to accept the buyout. Those who opt in will remain on the payroll through September 30, enjoying continued pay and benefits during this period.
The decision to implement such a program across all government agencies underscores the administration's commitment to reshaping the federal workforce landscape. This move follows a broader trend seen in various sectors where companies and organizations are reevaluating their work-from-home policies post-pandemic.
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