Trump provides millions of federal employees with eight months of salary for resigning
President Donald Trump has proposed buyout options to nearly all federal employees who prefer not to return to their workplaces, an important strategy aimed at reducing the size of the US government.
In an email sent out on Tuesday to millions of workers, his administration informed them that they needed to determine by February 6 if they wished to participate in a "deferred resignation program."
The communication stated that if they chose to leave their positions by that deadline, they would be awarded approximately eight months' worth of wages as a severance benefit.
The Trump administration anticipates that about 10% of federal employees, which equates to roughly 200,000 of the over two million federal workers, will accept this proposal, as reported by the BBC’s US affiliate, CBS News.
Senior officials within the Trump administration conveyed to US media that these buyouts might lead to savings for the government of up to $100 billion (£80 billion).
Employees interested in this opportunity were instructed on Tuesday to respond to the email by including the word "resign" in the subject line. The offer assures both salary and benefits for employees until September 30.
Some individuals were excluded from this offer, such as postal workers, military personnel, immigration agents, and select national security staff, as mentioned in the email.
The message from the Office of Personnel Management, which serves as the government’s HR department, also noted on Tuesday evening that future layoffs could affect those who opt to remain in their roles.
"We cannot provide full certainty regarding your position or agency; however, if your position is terminated, you will be treated with respect," it stated.
This email followed Trump’s previous declaration that federal employees who had been working remotely due to the Covid pandemic must return to their offices five days a week.
During a CNN interview on Tuesday, Stephen Miller, who serves as the White House deputy chief of staff for policy, remarked that the two million federal workers were "predominantly left-leaning," emphasizing that it was "crucial" for Trump to "reassert control over the government."
