JUDGE TEMPORARILY BLOCKS TRUMP'S PLAN TO OFFER INCENTIVES FOR THE RESIGNATION OF FEDERAL WORKERS

Trump wishes to reform the U.S. government and change a lot with his executive orders, and with that, he decided to offer millions of federal workers the option to resign and receive pay for eight months. Trump's administration sent an email asking the government employees to decide by February 6, 2025, to resign. Those who accept the resignation deal wouldn't be expected to work.
In line with this, Trump has also ended the COVID-era home working practices, and he wants them to report to the office while aiming to rapidly reduce the size of the federal government.
However, whether or not the deal stands could be a lengthy process, as a U.S. District Judge has blocked the move for now. Though temporary, the judge is directing the Trump administration to extend its deadline until the proposal can be reviewed on February 10, 2025, at the federal level. Learn more about this update at the bottom of the page.

Return to the Office or Be Fired
Trump is ending the COVID-era home working practices, and he wants the federal workers back in office; therefore, they will be terminated if they do not agree to return to office by February 6, 2025.
"We don't want them to work from home because, as everyone knows, most of the time they're not working. They're not very productive. And it's unfair to the millions of people in the United States who are, in fact, working hard from job sites and not from their home," he went on to say, from a traditional perspective.
"If they don't agree by February 6 to show up back to work in their office, they will be terminated," Trump said while speaking at the White House.
Trump thinks that remote work isn't an effective way to operate a business, especially in the federal government. That's why remote work is ending, one way or another.
What Is Trump Offering to the Feds
Trump has offered the feds to voluntarily resign from their positions by February 6, 2025. They will still receive their compensation and benefits until September 30, 2025 - an eight months worth of pay.
"If you choose to remain in your current position, we thank you for your renewed focus on serving the American people to the best of your abilities and look forward to working together as part of an improved federal workforce," the proposal by OPM reads.
Through an email sent to the employees, they are free to examine the message, and if they agree, they can respond "resign” in the subject to confirm their resignation.
"The federal workforce is expected to undergo significant near-term changes. As a result of these changes (or for other reasons), you may wish to depart the federal government on terms that provide you with sufficient time and economic security to plan for your future—and have a nice vacation," one of the answers on the Frequently Asked Questions reads.
The current administration is deciding quickly to remove all the previous administrations.

Federal Workers' Reaction to Trump's Buyout
Federal workers have mixed feelings about this being implemented. Some are angered, confused, and have questions about it, as the offer might not even be legal.
"I've got my whole entire life invested in the federal government. I'm not going to throw everything away," said a U.S. Department of Agriculture staffer based in Mississippi, who also spent time in the military.
Most of the federal workers aren't willing to sacrifice benefits beyond their salaries. Many also intend to stay with the federal government until retirement, which is still years away. For them, it is also not clear why they are making the offer.
Would the Feds Take It?
The Unions urged the federal workers to reject the offer, as they believed they did have a choice. The email written was somehow designed to coerce federal employees to resign, which was not very ideal.
As of the moment, there are too many unknowns and worries about the offer, which is not a good deal to some, given that they only have a week to decide. The question to everyone is whether the offer is legal.
The deal might be good for people who are retiring next month, those who are planning to resign, and for those positions that are at risk and included on the executive orders – people who work in diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility roles.
It's uncertain if the deadline's going to be pushed through, but sweeping out and reducing the size of the federal government is for sure.

Judge Temporarily Blocks Resignation Offer for Federal Workers
Right at the deadline, U.S. District Judge George O’Toole Jr. in Boston, blocked President Trump’s financial incentive plan to move out unwanted federal workers.
However, the move is only temporary, though O’Toole is looking to review the nature of the offer on Feb. 10, 2025, in an afternoon court hearing.
Several labor unions are expected to challenge Trump’s initiative while the White House is reporting over 40,000 federal workers have already applied for the offer.
Restructuring and downsizing continue to be at the forefront of Elon Musk’s agenda with the Trump administration aiming to eliminate waste while ousting the “deep state” the President believes worked against him in his first term.
Federal workers continue to experience extra stress during these uncertain times with many distrusting the offer, believing the President won’t be able to follow through on the buyout legally.
Protests outside of federal buildings have already broken out as the government sector, one once thought great for job security and long-term careers, is now a political minefield for federal workers caught in the middle.
Updated by Buddy Blouin
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