California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued an urgent warning to federal employees regarding a controversial "deferred resignation" program proposed by the Trump Administration. The program, set to expire on February 6, 2025, promises to provide pay and benefits through September 2025 to federal workers who voluntarily resign.
The warning comes as approximately 150,000 federal employees in California face pressure to decide on the buyout offer. Union representatives have already cautioned their members about the uncertain nature of the program's promised benefits.
According to recent data from Bloomberg, over 20,000 federal employees nationwide - roughly 1% of the federal workforce - have accepted the buyout offer thus far.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) distributed an email titled "Fork in the Road" to millions of federal workers on January 28, outlining the deferred resignation program. The offer includes continued pay, benefits, and exemption from in-person work requirements through September 30.
President Trump openly supported the initiative, stating "We'd love to have them leave," and expressing his administration's goal of reducing government size.
Legal experts and union representatives have raised serious concerns about the program's legitimacy. The National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) highlighted potential violations of federal law and regulations. Employment lawyers specifically questioned the legal basis of the offer, noting that Congress, not the White House, holds authority over federal workers' compensation.
In response to mounting criticism, OPM spokesperson McLaurine Pinover defended the program as "a rare, generous opportunity" that underwent thorough vetting. However, the offer includes a notable caveat - employees who choose to stay cannot be guaranteed their current positions.
Attorney General Bonta strongly advised federal employees to exercise caution and carefully consider union warnings before accepting any buyout offers that could impact their job security and future employment prospects.