Trump offers incentives to US federal workers to quit jobs
USA – US President Donald Trump has offered federal workers the option to resign and receive pay for eight months, in a major effort to shrink and reform the US government. In an email, his administration has asked almost all government employees to decide by 6 February whether they want to be part of a “deferred resignation” programme 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 $100bn (£80bn). 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. Since returning to the White House last week, Trump has already declared the end of Covid-era home working practices. (BBC)