The Trump administration has urged federal employees to leave their “low productivity” jobs for private-sector roles and take vacations, triggering backlash among civil servants.
A memo sent Tuesday announced a “deferred resignation program,” allowing employees to stay on payroll until Sept. 30 without reporting to work. A follow-up FAQ on Thursday encouraged workers to seek second jobs or “relax and travel to a dream destination.”
The Office of Personnel Management, now led by former Tesla employees, framed the move as boosting economic productivity. However, government workers reacted with anger, calling it demeaning and a blatant push to downsize the federal workforce.
Online forums were flooded with criticism, with many rejecting the offer. One worker noted that thousands of federal employees responded to a deadly helicopter crash, proving their essential role.
The American Federation of Government Employees, representing 800,000 workers, slammed the memo. “These are people working in prisons, on our borders, and at airports,” said spokesperson Tim Kauffman. “They’re making it miserable so workers quit.”
The administration’s sweeping cuts, executed through executive orders, have shocked and unsettled agencies nationwide.
Also read: Trump Administration Considers Tighter AI Chip Restrictions on Nvidia Sales to China
