Dozens of Employees at Education Department Placed on Paid Administrative Leave
Dozens of employees at the Department of Education were placed on paid administrative leave as part of the Trump administration’s effort to eliminate diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility efforts from the federal workforce. According to sources, the department sent letters to the employees informing them that their email accounts were being suspended, but they would continue to receive paychecks for an indefinite period.
The department cited guidance from the White House’s Office of Personnel and Management, which directed agencies to notify employees of diversity, equity, and inclusion offices that they were being placed on paid administrative leave effective immediately. The agency is the latest to face upheaval amid the White House’s efforts to weed out DEI programs within the government.
At least 55 Education Department employees, including senior-level career workers, were notified of the move, with many not having job titles or official duties related to DEIA. However, they had participated in diversity training seminars or volunteer work related to DEI programs.
The union representing the agency’s career officials, the American Federation of Government Employees, has expressed concern that hundreds more staffers could be affected. The union has filed requests for information to get a clear understanding of what’s happening, but has not received any additional information from the agency.
The move is seen as part of the Trump administration’s larger effort to reshape the federal workforce in its image, with the White House ordering government DEI employees to be placed on administrative leave and ending the use of DEI in hiring and federal contracting. The action has been met with criticism, with the union president describing it as “forcing these people to stop performing work for the American people.”
