President Donald Trump has given federal employees until the 6th of February to decide if they want to resign. He wants to reduce government headcount in the US and reform working methods.
Around 10% of federal employees, or up to 200,000 people, are expected to accept an offer of a “deferred resign” that will allow them to receive their pay until the 30th of September and be exempted from mandates to return to office. Employees will also not be required to work during this time except to ensure a “smooth transition”.
The move is expected to save up to $100 billion (£80bn) according the senior Trump officials.
On his first day as president (20 January), Trump signed an Executive Order for federal employees to return to their in-person jobs. The order stated: “Heads in all departments and agencies of the executive branch government shall take, as quickly as practicable to terminate remote working arrangements and require all employees to return in-person to their respective duty station on a full time basis.”
Trump also issued directives last week that included restoring accountability for senior executives and employees with policy-making authority, as well as a reform of the federal hiring process based on merit.
All full-time federal workers are eligible for deferred resignation, except those employed by the US Postal Service or the US Military, as well as those working in immigration enforcement, national security and other positions that have been “specifically excluded” by their employer.
The US Office for Personnel Management, the federal government’s human resources agency, sent an email to two million federal employees last night informing them that the new federal workforce would be built on four pillars.
- Returning to the Office Five Days per Week, Although in future, it expects to consolidate and divestiture locations, which could result in a physical relocation of office space for many federal workers.
- Performance Culturewill insist “excellence on every level”. The standards will be updated in order to reward and promote those who exceed expectations, and to address those who don’t meet those high standards that the taxpayers have a “right to demand”.
- A more flexible and streamlined workforce: It is likely that the majority of federal agencies will be reduced in size through “restructurings”, realignments and reductions in forces. Furloughs are likely and a large number of federal workers will be reclassified to “at-will”.
- Enhanced standards of conduct: Federal employees should be reliable, loyal and trustworthy. They must strive to achieve excellence in all their work. As we progress, employees will be held to higher standards of conduct and suitability. Employees who commit unlawful conduct or other misconduct are subject to appropriate investigation, discipline and termination.
The email ” Fork in the Road ” continued: “If, however, you decide to stay in your position we thank you for a renewed commitment to serving the American public to the best ability and look forward working with you as part of a federal workforce that is improved. We cannot at this time give you a full assurance about the future of your agency or position. However, if your position is eliminated, you will still be treated with dignity.
If you decide not to continue your current position in the federal workforce we will thank you for serving your country, and provide you with a dignified and fair departure from the Federal Government using a deferred resigning program. The program is open to all federal workers until February 6 and begins on January 28. You will receive all your pay and benefits, regardless of how much work you do each day.
We thank you for your service
The email ends: “We thank you for serving the United States of America, whichever path you choose.”
Federal employees have until Thursday, November 15, to respond to emails sent from their government email addresses with “resignation” in the subject.
Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief-of-staff for policy, said to CNN that federal employees were “overwhelmingly left” of the centre and that it was important for Trump’s government to be in control.
Everett Kelley of the American Federation of Government Employees union responded to the employee buyouts by saying: “The number of Civil servants hasn’t changed meaningfully since 1970 but more Americans are relying on government services than ever before.” The removal of career civil servants from the federal government will have unintended, massive consequences for Americans who rely on a federal government that functions.
This offer is not voluntary. The Trump administration has clearly set out to make the federal government a toxic workplace where workers will not be able to stay, even if they wanted to.
The OPM published a list of FAQs to accompany the email. One question was: “Am I required to work during the period of deferred resignation?”
No. You are not required to work except in very rare circumstances determined by your agency.
The question is: “Why have I been offered deferred resigning?”
OPM’s response reads as follows: “The federal workplace is expected to undergo major changes in the near future.” You may want to leave the federal government at a time when you have enough time and financial security to plan your future.
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