Donald Trump Offers Federal Workers Eight Months Pay to Quit Jobs

In a major effort to shrink and reform the US government, President Donald Trump has offered federal workers the option to resign and receive pay for eight months.

In an email, the Trump administration has asked almost all government employees to decide by February 6 whether they want to be part of a “deferred resignation” program that will mean them leaving their jobs no later than the end of September.

Those who received the email have voiced confusion about what the deal would mean in practice.

The website of the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM) gives an outline of the plans, stating on an FAQs page that those who accept the deal are “not expected to work”, except in rare cases.

It also says anyone who decides to quit will be exempt for the remainder of their contracts from Trump’s requirement that they work in the office rather than at home.

Senior Trump officials told US media that the plan could save the government up to $100 billion.

Delivering the offer, a message from the OPM, the government’s HR agency, highlighted planned reforms including a requirement that most employees work in their offices five days a week.

Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Since returning to the White House last week, Trump has already declared the end of Covid-era home working practices.

The OPM said the offer was available to “all full-time federal employees” – excluding certain staff such as postal workers, members of the military, immigration officials, and some national security teams.

Workers wishing to take the deal were asked to reply to the email with the word “resign” in the subject line. The offer has been described as “very generous” by the White House.

The message also warned of future downsizing that could impact those who chose to stay. “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,” it read.

Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff for policy, told CNN that federal workers were “overwhelmingly left of centre”, and that it was “essential” for President Trump to “get control of government”.

The move has been condemned. In a statement to US media, the head of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) union warned that this “purging” process would have “vast, unintended consequences that will cause chaos for the Americans who depend on a functioning federal government”.

The returning Donald Trump repeatedly pledged to cut the size of the government and slash federal spending while on the campaign trail.

The president tasked Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy with leading an advisory body focused on cutting regulations, spending, and headcounts within the federal government. Ramaswamy has since left this new Department of Government Efficiency (DoGE) to run for governor of Ohio.

Clyde K. Valle

Clyde is a business graduate interested in writing about latest news in politics and business. He enjoys writing and is about to publish his first book. He’s a pet lover and likes to spend time with family. When the time allows he likes to go fishing waiting for the muse to come.

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