For My Federal Employee Friends Considering Deferred Resignation

[COL Mustard]

Washington Post finance columnist Michelle Singletary wrote about the pros and cons of this program (gift article):

https://wapo.st/4aFrVyc

Please don't make any decision in haste on something this momentous!

[SheltieLover]

1. K&R

[Mike 03]

2. Thanks for posting this!

This issue doesn't directly impact me, but it's dominating rather intense discussion on the subreddit r/fednews. It seemed like yesterday nearly all the posts I saw opposed this program, but today I am seeing more people with second thoughts and doubts. I know they are under extreme pressure. They are some remarkable people whom we owe both our gratitude and our heartfelt support.

[newdeal2]

4. Do not trust Musk & Co

Anyone considering this offer should first read what happened to Twitter employees under Musk.

[SWBTATTReg]

3. And with the way djt throws crap out there, from day to day, would would you trust regarding this whole buyout offer?

I wouldn't trust tRUMP or his admin. one iota. Not one bit.

[haele]

5. Especially considering Congress needs to approve expenditures over a certain amount.

I figured if 5000 Federal employees with a base wage of $40 an hour "resign" under this program, the government will have to pony up $256 million dollars.
That's waaaay over the limit that a Department can cover. Especially since it can't be hidden under National Security rules. That's a Special Congressional Funding bill level of money, especially since it will need to be revisited if more people quit.

But then, the offer is only good until COB Feb. 5, or if you took leave, a week after you return. So Musk & Co are expecting people not be able to make the decision and start the process before the deadline, turning in their resignations too late to participate and miss out on the money.
And "Ha, Ha, sucker" - you just quit the job, pack up your desk, you're gone in 2 weeks, or 30 days without that potentially $50k -$90k severance.

The ones who might be tempted will probably be nearing retirement in a year or two anyway, especially the between 55 and 62 year olds with a working spouse in the $60+ an hour range.
$76k and admin leave for 8 months might seem like an attractive severance package to pay off a mortgage or start a business with, especially if they live in a low-cost region and can roll into another job, or can survive on a military pension or VA until whatever Government pension and TSP can kick in.

[Rebl2]

6. If

If many of these federal employees quit, unemployment will climb and I have to wonder if it will be more difficult to find a job.

[Liberal In Texas]

7. Anybody who takes this is going to get screwed.

Paid for 2 pay periods and then nothing. And no recourse.