Winning Bizness Desk
Mumbai.Former U.S. President Donald Trump had promised to cut the federal workforce during his election campaign. Now, his administration has initiated steps to reduce the number of federal employees. On Tuesday, Trump’s administration offered a buyout option, allowing federal employees to resign voluntarily. They have been given a deadline of one week, until February 6, to accept this offer. In exchange for resigning, employees will receive eight months’ additional salary. The Office of Personnel Management, responsible for government hiring, has also warned of future layoffs.
Email Sent to 20 Lakh Employees
According to reports, around 2 million federal employees received an email detailing the buyout offer. They must decide by February 6 if they wish to accept it.
Over 30 Lakh Federal Employees in the U.S.
As per government records, the total number of federal employees in the U.S. exceeds 3 million, making it the country’s 15th largest workforce. A Pew Research study reveals that the average tenure of a federal employee is 12 years.
Impact on Various Departments
According to the Associated Press (AP), employees in key departments such as the Department of Veterans Affairs, loan processing officers, and defense contractors responsible for procuring weapons for the military could be affected. Additionally, scientists working on food and water supply inspections may also lose their jobs.
Trump Signed Layoff Orders After Taking Office
After assuming the presidency, Trump signed executive orders to lay off federal employees. His administration is now enforcing those measures. The Office of Personnel Management has also instructed remote employees to return to their offices. Under the new directive, these employees must work from the office five days a week. Last week, Trump addressed federal employees, stating “You have to go to your office and work. Otherwise, you will not have a job.”
Employee Union Criticizes Trump’s Decision
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Union has strongly opposed Trump’s decision. Its president, Everett Kelley, accused the administration of pressuring non-loyal employees to resign. Kelley warned that these layoffs would have serious consequences. He further alleged that the Trump administration is enforcing a series of anti-worker policies, making the federal work environment toxic and unmanageable.
