Resignation bonus? Trump offers federal workers eight months' pay to leave

President Donald Trump has offered federal workers eight months of pay to leave their jobs voluntarily, BBC News reports, providing comprehensive coverage of this unprecedented government downsizing initiative. The administration has given government employees until Feb. 6 to decide if they want to participate in a "deferred resignation" program, with departures scheduled no later than the end of September. Those who accept the deal won't be expected to work except in rare cases, and they'll be exempt from President Trump's new requirement to work in the office rather than at home. Senior officials claim this plan could save the government up to $100 billion. The offer excludes certain staff categories, including postal workers, military members, immigration officials, and some national security teams.

The reformed federal workforce will be built around four key pillars that reshape workplace expectations and employee standards, as outlined in the internal memo from the Office of Personnel Management, which details the program's framework and requirements. These include a mandatory return to office five days a week, implementation of stricter performance standards, workforce streamlining through restructuring and downsizing, and enhanced conduct requirements. The reform plan also mentions potential office consolidations and relocations. Employees who choose to stay will face uncertainty about their positions, though the administration promises they will be treated with dignity if their roles are eliminated.

Up to 10% of federal employees are expected to accept the voluntary resignation offer as part of a sweeping government restructuring effort, according to Sky News, which provided detailed insights into the program's projected impact. The initiative is part of a larger cost-cutting effort overseen by Elon Musk. The government-wide plan has raised concerns about its impact, considering there are more than three million federal government employees. The plan involves a straightforward process where workers can accept the offer by sending an email with "resign" in the message body. Musk himself has been actively promoting the program, even posting on X to encourage federal workers to "hit send" on their resignation emails.

Drawing from the American Federation of Government Employees' official response, which provides crucial perspective from those directly affected, the situation appears more complex than a simple voluntary resignation program. The number of civil servants has remained relatively stable since 1970, despite serving an increasing number of Americans who rely on government services. 

AFGE National President Everett Kelley has expressed serious concerns about the implications of this massive workforce reduction. The union's stance suggests that rather than being truly voluntary, the offer is part of a broader strategy to create an environment where workers feel pressured to leave their positions.