The Trump administration announced a "deferred resignation program," offering buyouts to nearly 2 million civilian full-time federal employees.
The unprecedented initiative allows employees to leave their positions by next week, a step the administration hopes will streamline operations and cut costs.
The program, outlined in an email sent to federal workers and seen by Reuters, permits federal employees to remain on the payroll through September 30, but without having to perform their duties in person, with some duties potentially reduced or eliminated.
The email instructed those interested to reply with the word “resign” by February 6. The offer excludes employees working in immigration, national security, or the U.S. Postal Service.
The offer comes as part of President Donald Trump’s broader strategy to reform the federal government, which he has worked to shrink and reshape since taking office. The administration’s goal is to create a "more streamlined and flexible workforce," while some agencies are expected to reduce staff through restructurings and layoffs. However, agencies such as the military may see an increase in staff numbers.
Federal employees are wary of the offer, with unions cautioning against hasty resignations. The National Treasury Employees Union, representing 150,000 federal workers, urged its members to resist the temptation to resign, labeling the offer as a potential tactic to force employees out.
"At this time, we cannot give you full assurance regarding the certainty of your position or agency," the email stated, adding that employees who take part in the program will be treated with dignity.
The administration emphasized that this restructuring would be significant, but also noted that the number of workers who would ultimately accept the offer remains unclear.
Despite the lack of clarity, some analysts estimate that up to 10% of the federal workforce may quit, potentially saving the government $100 billion. The memo cited figures that have not been independently verified.
Elon Musk, who was brought in by Trump to oversee efforts to cut government spending, initially sought to reduce the federal budget by $2 trillion. However, he later revised the figure, stating that a more modest reduction was likely.
The program has stirred mixed reactions among federal employees and unions, with concerns about the potential for mass layoffs and increased instability within the workforce. Several federal employees have voiced their concerns about being placed on paid administrative leave without reassurances about their job security.
The program also comes on the heels of several other directives from the Trump administration, including a hiring freeze for most federal agencies and efforts to reclassify certain employees to "at-will" status, making it easier for the government to terminate workers without cause.
As federal workers consider their options, critics of the program warn that it could create a "toxic" work environment, ultimately leaving many employees uncertain about their future in the federal workforce.
