Federal Judge Blocks Deadlines on Resignation Offer for Federal Employees Amid Legal Challenge
A federal judge has issued a temporary order halting the deadline imposed by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) for federal employees to accept a deferred resignation compensation offer championed by President Donald Trump. The OPM had announced earlier in January that it would provide incentives for two million federal workers to resign by February 6, a deadline that is now under legal scrutiny.
During a brief hearing in Boston, Judge George O'Toole made it clear that the deadline on the resignation offers will remain suspended at least until a court hearing scheduled for next Monday. Following this announcement, the Department of Justice informed relevant officials that the OPM would no longer be enforcing the aforementioned deadline while legal proceedings are ongoing.
Reports indicate that over 60,000 federal employees, representing approximately 3% of the federal workforce, have already accepted this resignation offer. The pushback against the program came from a coalition of unions representing federal workers, who filed a lawsuit against the OPM on Wednesday. The unions argue that there has been a significant lack of essential information provided to the workforce regarding this resignation incentive, warranting further review and clarification before any final decisions are made.
It is important to note that the OPM's offer is intended for all full-time federal employees, with specific exclusions including military personnel, Postal Service workers, and those engaged in immigration law enforcement or national security positions. As the legal challenges unfold, the fate of the resignation offer remains uncertain, highlighting ongoing tensions surrounding federal employment policies under the current administration.
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