Trump Proposes Eight Months’ Pay for Federal Employees Willing to Resign | US News
Donald Trump is vigorously advancing his initiative to reduce the size of the US government by offering federal employees eight months’ salary if they choose to resign.
According to a memo from the Office of Personnel Management, employees have until February 6 to make their decision regarding the offer.
The human resources agency of the US government also cautioned about potential future layoffs, a reduction in remote work options, and indicated a commitment to enforcing “enhanced standards of suitability and conduct” moving forward.
With over three million federal employees in the workforce, the effects of substantial job reductions remain uncertain.
This nationwide “deferred resignation” initiative does not apply to positions related to immigration and national security, nor to staff members of the US Postal Service.
Reports suggest that up to 10% of employees might accept the offer, as reported by Sky’s US partner NBC News.
Union: An Enticement or Intimidation Tactic
A union that represents federal employees labeled the proposal as a “purge” targeting those deemed disloyal to the new administration.
“It’s evident that the Trump administration aims to create a hostile environment within the federal government where employees feel compelled to leave,” stated Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees.
The National Treasury Employees Union, which represents around 150,000 federal workers, cautioned its members that “the email is intended to either entice or intimidate you into resigning,” urging: “We strongly advise against resigning in response to this message.”
The memo, distributed via email to millions of federal employees, indicated: “Should you resign under this program, you will maintain all pay and benefits regardless of your daily responsibilities and will be exempt from any applicable in-person work obligations until September 30.”
Elon Musk: A Crossroad
The email’s subject line “Fork in the road” was highlighted in a post by billionaire Elon Musk, who is overseeing an initiative to cut government costs. Mr. Musk had previously used the same subject line in a 2022 email to Twitter employees.
The email message contains a “deferred resignation letter” for federal employees to initiate their departures and asks them to respond with “Resign” in the body of the message.
Mr. Musk also posted a message on X, encouraging federal employees to “hit send”.
Additional Insights from Sky News:
Immigration crackdown in Chicago
Stampede at Hindu festival in India
Muslim charities still being debanked
Legal Challenge to Freeze on US Funding
In the meantime, Mr. Trump’s freeze on government-wide funding, which impacts grants and loans, has led to considerable confusion and a legal challenge.
This proposed freeze is part of a broader plan to cut certain government expenditures.
The Office of Management and Budget dispatched a two-page memo to all federal agencies on Monday, instructing them to “temporarily pause” any spending that might conflict with the president’s objectives.
On Tuesday, non-profit organizations reported that they were unable to access a system used to obtain federal funding for expenses such as salary and rent.
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A legal action initiated by non-profit organizations has successfully challenged Trump’s funding freeze, temporarily halting it.
US District Judge Loren L AliKhan issued a ruling that blocked the funding freeze just minutes before it was slated to commence on Tuesday evening.
Another court hearing is scheduled for Monday to address the matter.
