Federal agencies have intensified efforts to downsize, offering buyouts and eliminating entire offices as the deadline for government restructuring approaches. At least six agencies, including agriculture, defence, energy, housing and urban development, transportation, and the general services administration, have extended deferred resignation offers to employees.
Originally introduced in January, this programme allows federal workers in the US to resign while continuing to receive pay for a set period. Employees must decide whether to accept the offer between 7 and 11 April 2025.
The government-wide job cuts come as part of a push to reduce federal staff. Agencies have been instructed to develop detailed plans for workforce reductions by 14 April. Tens of thousands of workers have already been laid off, and more cuts are expected. Some departments have seen entire offices eliminated, including those involved in disease research, environmental monitoring, and pandemic preparedness. Senior leaders, scientists and technical experts have also been dismissed, raising concerns about the loss of institutional knowledge.
The Department of Health and Human Services recently terminated thousands of employees, in some cases without prior notice. Many learned of their dismissal when their building-access badges stopped working. Other agencies have been urging employees to accept voluntary resignation or early retirement to minimise forced layoffs.
The administration argues that these reductions will result in significant cost savings. Meanwhile, the push for a return to in-office work is expected to prompt further resignations, adding to the uncertainty faced by federal workers.
