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The Trump administration is reportedly offering a buyout option for many federal workers who do not intend to return to in-person work, multiple outlets announced on Tuesday.
The news comes after President Donald Trump signed an executive order last week terminating most remote work in federal agencies by next month.
“The government-wide email being sent today is to make sure that all federal workers are on board with the new administration’s plan to have federal employees in office and adhering to higher standards,” a senior administration official told Axios.
“We’re five years past COVID and just six percent of federal employees work full-time in office. That is unacceptable,” it added.
The Hill reported that federal employees stated they could retain their benefits and be paid through September if they resigned by Feb. 6. The buyouts reportedly apply to “all full-time federal employees, excluding military personnel, U.S. Postal Service workers and positions related to immigration enforcement and national security.”
Under the Biden administration, the House Oversight Committee released a report stating that as of May 2024, more than half of the 2.2 million federal civilian employees were either teleworking or working fully remotely.
Trump has reversed that policy, directing department and agency heads to “take all necessary steps to terminate remote work arrangements and require employees to return to work in-person” as soon as feasible, with limited exceptions.
Additionally, a hiring freeze has been implemented across the executive branch, preventing new hires for any positions that were vacant. The freeze does not apply to the military or roles related to immigration enforcement, national security or public safety.
Trump’s order remains in effect for 90 days, after which the Office of Management and Budget, in coordination with the newly established Department of Government Efficiency—led by Elon Musk—must present a plan to streamline the federal workforce through efficiency measures and attrition.
“After four years of incompetence and failure, President Donald Trump is committed to making our government efficient and productive again,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement on Tuesday.
“American taxpayers pay for the salaries of federal government employees and therefore deserve employees working on their behalf who actually show up to work in our wonderful federal buildings, also paid for by taxpayers,” she added.
