Trump Administration Offers Federal Workers Deferred Resignation Option in Workforce Makeover
President Trump continues to move at brisk pace in his effort to remake the federal workforce and the way the federal government operates, forcing Democrats and others who oppose his policies to play a rushed defense.
In regards to the future of the federal workforce, calling it “a fork in the road”-- and channeling Elon Musk – the Trump Administration sent a mass email to federal employees, telling them if they don’t agree with upcoming workforce changes, they can resign their positions, but remain on the job and keep telework arrangements with full pay through September 30, 2025.
The email was sent on January 28, 2025. Employees have until February 6 to accept the offer. If they do, the resignation will be effective on September 30 or earlier if the employee chooses.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) notes that workers who resign under the program “will retain all pay and benefits regardless of your daily workload and will be exempted from all applicable in-person work requirements until September 30, 2025.”
The email says all that’s needed to resign is to simply reply “Resign” from your government email address, and then hit “Send.”
Members of the military, U.S. Postal Service, and those in immigration enforcement and national security positions are not eligible.
Even if a worker stays, OPM says a continued job is not guaranteed.
“At this time, we cannot give you full assurance regarding the certainty of your position or agency but should your position be eliminated you will be treated with dignity and will be afforded the protections in place for such positions,” stated OPM.
OPM also outlined the pillars of the “reformed” federal workforce including in person work, installing excellence at every level, and enhanced standards of conduct. OPM also notes that “federal agencies are likely to be downsized through restructurings, realignments, and reductions in force. These actions are likely to include the use of furloughs and the reclassification to at-will status for a substantial number of federal employees.”
The administration expects five to ten percent of federal employees to take them up on the offer, which is essentially a buyout. The reduced headcount could save the federal government about $100 billion in savings.
In a statement, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) said, “This offer should not be viewed as voluntary. Between the flurry of anti-worker executive orders and policies, it is clear that the Trump administration's goal is to turn the federal government into a toxic environment where workers cannot stay even if they want to.”
Lawyers and other employee advocates are also strongly cautioning federal employees from taking the offer, NPR reports.
This comes on top of other orders that aim to reclassify large swathes of the civil service as at-will employees and an order ordering employees back to work in the office five days a week.