The Trump administration has launched a new program called “Fork in the Road,” which offers federal employees the option to resign by February 6 while retaining their full pay and benefits through September 30. The program, unveiled on January 28, aims to reduce the size of the federal workforce by roughly 10% and make significant changes to the way work is done.
The program has sparked controversy among federal employee unions, with some arguing that it raises legal and operational concerns. Despite this, agencies such as NASA, the Department of the Air Force, and the National Reconnaissance Office have confirmed that their civilian employees received the buyout offer and are complying with guidance from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
The program mirrors a similar strategy employed by Elon Musk at Twitter in 2022. However, its application to government agencies has raised questions about how many workers would fall under the buyout category. OPM has said individual agencies have discretion to exclude specific positions from the buyout, but it remains unclear.
A federal judge has issued a temporary injunction delaying the February 6 deadline until at least February 10 following legal challenges from federal employee unions. The program is also intended to reshape the federal workforce by requiring employees to physically return to work, updating performance standards, and reforming the federal hiring process.
The situation remains fluid, with many agencies scrambling to interpret the guidance. As a result, it’s essential for federal employees to stay informed about the latest developments regarding the “Fork in the Road” program.
Source: https://spacenews.com/fork-in-the-road-buyout-offer-reaches-national-security-agencies-despite-exemptions