The Trump administration is offering buyouts to nearly all federal employees, including those who work remotely, in an effort to get employees back into the office. The offer, which was made in a government-wide email sent out on Tuesday, states that employees who accept the buyout will be given a “very generous payout” of eight months.
According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, the move is aimed at making the federal government more efficient and productive again. She said that taxpayers deserve employees who actually show up to work in government buildings, rather than working remotely.
The buyout applies to nearly all federal employees, including those who have worked remotely since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The email states that the majority of federal employees who have worked remotely since then will be required to return to their physical offices five days a week.
The Trump administration also noted that going forward, they expect to consolidate and divest physical offices, which could result in relocations for some federal workers.
For those who return to office, the Trump administration thanked them for their “renewed focus” on serving the American people, but did not guarantee their future employment. For those who do not want to continue in their role, the administration is offering a “dignified, fair departure from the federal government utilizing a deferred resignation program.”
The buyout does not apply to certain positions, including military personnel, the U.S. Postal Services, immigration enforcement, national security, and any other positions specifically excluded by the agency.
