4 ms·

Took? Or got placed on? Genuine question, because I don't know the answer. Was it actually voluntary at the time?

0xffff2 1y ago
It was actually and completely voluntary. My only source is that I am a federal contractor who was invited to at least some of the all hands meetings where this was discussed within my agency. The federal government is _huge_ and obviously I can't speak to every single agency, but at least for mine there wasn't even a hint of pressure to take the offer.
burkaman 1y ago
It was voluntary on paper, but there was a clear threat that if you didn't take it there was a good chance you would be fired with no severance. Whether this threat was implicit or explicit depended on what department you were in. Source: Federal workers I know personally, and numerous public statements from DOGE officials and cabinet secretaries when this offer was made. > “The reality is clear: A large-scale reduction, in response to the President’s workforce executive orders, is already happening. The government is restructuring, and unfortunately, many employees will later realize they missed a valuable, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” the official said. - https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/04/politics/trump-administration-plans-layoffs-deferred-resignation-offer https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/04/politics/trump-administration...
Jtsummers 1y ago
DRP was voluntary. Some people who took it would still have a job tomorrow if they hadn't. Others who took it were in a situation where they were likely going to get RIF'd. DRP gave them a better off-ramp than the severance package under a RIF. For them, it wasn't really voluntary but more a "Well, I'm losing my job anyways might as well get the best deal I can out of this shitty situation." Many others took it because they were going to retire this year anyways, so why not?
rsynnott 1y ago
It was essentially a "jump or be pushed" sort of thing. Realistically, it wasn't voluntary.

It was actually and completely voluntary. My only source is that I am a federal contractor who was invited to at least some of the all hands meetings where this was discussed within my agency. The federal government is _huge_ and obviously I can't speak to every single agency, but at least for mine there wasn't even a hint of pressure to take the offer.

burkaman 1y ago

It was voluntary on paper, but there was a clear threat that if you didn't take it there was a good chance you would be fired with no severance. Whether this threat was implicit or explicit depended on what department you were in. Source: Federal workers I know personally, and numerous public statements from DOGE officials and cabinet secretaries when this offer was made. > “The reality is clear: A large-scale reduction, in response to the President’s workforce executive orders, is already happening. The government is restructuring, and unfortunately, many employees will later realize they missed a valuable, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” the official said. - https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/04/politics/trump-administration-plans-layoffs-deferred-resignation-offer https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/04/politics/trump-administration...

Jtsummers 1y ago

DRP was voluntary. Some people who took it would still have a job tomorrow if they hadn't. Others who took it were in a situation where they were likely going to get RIF'd. DRP gave them a better off-ramp than the severance package under a RIF. For them, it wasn't really voluntary but more a "Well, I'm losing my job anyways might as well get the best deal I can out of this shitty situation." Many others took it because they were going to retire this year anyways, so why not?

rsynnott 1y ago

It was essentially a "jump or be pushed" sort of thing. Realistically, it wasn't voluntary.