Government employee thread! (Being a government employee is sweet) (2 Viewers)

[The Z Machine]

It might make good social posts to act as if every Christian is cheering for this.

I assume that this was directed at me. I was asking a serious question for the group. If you don't want us talking about the shutting down of US-funded humanitarian aid through the lens of "what would Jesus do", then that's fine. It's your site and you make the rules.

 

[Joe Bryant]

It might make good social posts to act as if every Christian is cheering for this.

I assume that this was directed at me. I was asking a serious question for the group. If you don't want us talking about the shutting down of US-funded humanitarian aid through the lens of "what would Jesus do", then that's fine. It's your site and you make the rules.

No. Was not directed at you and apologies if it read that way. I haven't seen you posting anything on social media.

The "rules" we try to have here is no politics. There's no way debating whether or not USAID should or should not be shut down will be anything but political. With or without Jesus involved. Thank you. I'd hope we can keep the thread open without politics but it may not be possible.

 

[The Z Machine]

I haven't seen you posting anything on social media.

Yeah, I don't do social media postings. It's 95% garbage or yelling into the void.

 

[Lehigh98]

there is some major strategic reasons for the services provided by USAID, things the military isn’t right to do but help the national defense - imo anyway.

Please help us understand the "major strategic reasons" behind services provided USAID such as $1.5 million for advancing DEI in Serbia's workplaces, $70K for production of a DEI musical in Ireland, $47K for a transgender opera in Colombia, and $32K for a transgender comic book in Peru. Source: WH Press Secretary

Q - are there questionable uses of funds in USAID?
A - yes
Q - are there questionable uses of funds in the vast majority of agencies?
A - sure, probably
Q - is the USAID overall a valuable resource?
A - yes

Q - is it appropriate to review the function of USAID to ensure it aligns with current foreign policy objectives?
A - yes
Q - is it appropriate to ensure that the taxpayer money used to fund USAID is spent wisely and wasteful programs eliminated?
A - yes

The callousness of the shuttering of USAID is apalling. So many people doing good humanitarian work are left scrambling. So many programs that bolster the image of the US worldwide are vaporized. So many millions that are in need and rely on humanitarian aid paid for by the USG will know that our country turned their backs on them without any notice.

These are programs that provide polio vaccines, HIV drugs, clean water and sanitation, prosthetic limbs, landmine clearing, and so many other good deeds around the world. If the American people think those aren't worthwhile and the USG agrees, OK fine, wind down the programs. But simply cutting off funding and firing all personnel without warning? There is so much cruelty in that.

I just can't get over how un Christ-like this is. Tell me, Christians, why you would support such actions?

I appreciate the thoughts on this and share many of them. Wasn't expecting to see being a Christian as a factor in the Government Employee thread but I can say as a Christian, our church partners with a group in Ethiopia and they are affected by this with the HIV medicine aid they provide. It might make good social posts to act as if every Christian is cheering for this. I know from personal experience that's not the case. The hope is to continue the good things the government has been doing with humanitarian aid. And as I understand it, to bring it under the State Department.

But that's already way more political than we will go here and we've proven repeatedly we're not able to discuss that here without it going way off the rails.

I'm sure there are tons of good forums on line to discuss the politics of all this. Please do that there and not here, Thanks.

The problem is, who from a government / funding standpoint defines what is "good"?
And I think we all know the answer right now.
Hoping for the best result possible for our government employee FBG's!

 

[CGRdrJoe]

I usually browse usajobs.gov once a quarter to see if there is anything out there that gets my attention, needless to say when I looked yesterday there seemed to be about a 1/3 of the jobs that there usually are on there.

 

[Jobber]

https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/03/politics/usaid-washington-workers/index.html

USAID workers, most of whom are career government employees, were emailed shortly after midnight that they should not come into their Washington office, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.

“At the direction of Agency leadership, the USAID headquarters at the Ronald Reagan building in Washington, D.C. will be closed to Agency personnel on Monday, February 3, 2025. Agency personnel normally assigned to work at USAID headquarters will work remotely tomorrow, with the exception of personnel with essential on-site and building maintenance functions individually contacted by senior leadership,” said the email, of which CNN has obtained a copy.

Thousands of personal services contractors and civil servants lost access to email and USAID systems overnight.

The sudden chaos has left employees struggling to get any answers as they have gotten no information, officials aid. Personal services contractors, who travel on diplomatic passports and speak on behalf of the agency, are required to be given 15 days of notice before termination, but that has not happened.

Some USAID contractors who are on official work travel are suddenly stuck, some in sensitive and dangerous places, without answers of how they will get home.

A source who works in a USAID annex building told CNN they have no word on whether they should go to work on Monday.

When asked if leaders in their department appeared to have any more information on the future of the agency’s work, the source said: “Our senior leaders have all been fired.”

=================================================================================
USAID logos and photos showing the humanitarian work the agency does around the globe were removed from its offices last week, multiple sources familiar with the situation told CNN.

“All of the visuals have been taken down. These are like large-scale photos of our work in developing countries that are in our lobbies, in our galleys, in communal kitchens, hallways,” a USAID employee said. “An order also came down to individual bureaus and offices to remove all USAID artwork and signage.”

Another USAID worker told CNN: “They’ve taken the photos off the walls, and we’re missing half of our colleagues because our colleagues are gone and have been let go, and everyone sort of feels like they’re walking around with a target on their back.”

This can get political quick but this is BS. A friend left the army to work for USAID, lawyer. We saw her the week before inauguration, she seemed to be doing well but definitely looked stressed.
At the risk of sounding political, there is some major strategic reasons for the services provided by USAID, things the military isn’t right to do but help the national defense - imo anyway.

Leaving a vacuum will allow for other world powers to become the good guys in the eyes of many.

 

[Joe Schmo]

As long as the mission of USAID is still carried out with ideals of mercy and humanity built in as designed then moving the agency under the umbrella of State might not be an awful thing.

 

[TripItUp]

I read somewhere on social media that 20k govt employees have accepted the severance/buyout (whatever is the appropriate term)

Haven't been able to locate an article from the legacy media. If somebody finds it, please post.

 

[Joe Schmo]

I read somewhere on social media that 20k govt employees have accepted the severance/buyout (whatever is the appropriate term)

Haven't been able to locate an article from the legacy media. If somebody finds it, please post.

Hope those 20k thought this through:

https://www.npr.org/2025/02/04/nx-s1-5286238/federal-employees-fork-musk-trump-deferred-resignation

In a major departure from language shared earlier, the sample contract agreement that went out Monday to Environmental Protection Agency employees includes language that appears to acknowledge that federal agencies have no guaranteed funding past March 14, when the latest congressional budget agreement expires.
"Subject to the availability of appropriations, employee shall remain on paid administrative leave up through and including September 30, 2025, or such earlier date on which Employee may choose to resign or otherwise separate from federal service," the sample contract language reads.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
In another section, employees are asked to acknowledge that "this agreement cannot be rescinded, except in the sole discretion of the [AGENCY HEAD], which shall not be subject to review at the Merit Systems Protection Board or otherwise." The language indicates that federal agencies would be able to rescind the agreement and that employees would not have the opportunity to appeal.

The Merit Systems Protection Board is an independent, quasi-judicial agency that hears appeals from federal workers over issues involving federal employment rules.

The sample contract agreement also asks employees to waive their right to "pursue through any judicial, administrative, or other process, any action against [AGENCY] that is based on, arising from, or related to Employee's employment at [AGENCY] or the deferred resignation offer" – and to similarly waive any claim that might be brought on their behalf by a labor union or other entity.

 

[Max Power]

I read somewhere on social media that 20k govt employees have accepted the severance/buyout (whatever is the appropriate term)

Haven't been able to locate an article from the legacy media. If somebody finds it, please post.

I was just sitting with my supervisor this morning who told me our command had more people respond "resign" to the fork email than our leadership would have guessed. Since we're DoD, the current thinking is that those employees won't be eligible, but they are sorting through that now. It's a bit surprising because we don't have many WFH type jobs, and everyone is already in the building 5 days a week.

We are going through our own internal reorganization that will have pros and cons for everyone, but I didn't think anything was changing enough to quit over. The worst thing to happen to anyone is a more structured deployment schedule that will force those not already pulling their weight to step up.

 

[belljr]

I read somewhere on social media that 20k govt employees have accepted the severance/buyout (whatever is the appropriate term)

Haven't been able to locate an article from the legacy media. If somebody finds it, please post.

Hope those 20k thought this through:

https://www.npr.org/2025/02/04/nx-s1-5286238/federal-employees-fork-musk-trump-deferred-resignation

In a major departure from language shared earlier, the sample contract agreement that went out Monday to Environmental Protection Agency employees includes language that appears to acknowledge that federal agencies have no guaranteed funding past March 14, when the latest congressional budget agreement expires.
"Subject to the availability of appropriations, employee shall remain on paid administrative leave up through and including September 30, 2025, or such earlier date on which Employee may choose to resign or otherwise separate from federal service," the sample contract language reads.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
In another section, employees are asked to acknowledge that "this agreement cannot be rescinded, except in the sole discretion of the [AGENCY HEAD], which shall not be subject to review at the Merit Systems Protection Board or otherwise." The language indicates that federal agencies would be able to rescind the agreement and that employees would not have the opportunity to appeal.

The Merit Systems Protection Board is an independent, quasi-judicial agency that hears appeals from federal workers over issues involving federal employment rules.

The sample contract agreement also asks employees to waive their right to "pursue through any judicial, administrative, or other process, any action against [AGENCY] that is based on, arising from, or related to Employee's employment at [AGENCY] or the deferred resignation offer" – and to similarly waive any claim that might be brought on their behalf by a labor union or other entity.

So if that 20,000 is allegedly correct, that's less than 1% of the federal workforce. Also, government salaries are already funded for the rest of the fiscal year. Even if there is no budget passed or CR we won't get paid during a shutdown. But we are already budgeted for the back pay in case of a shutdown. So the whole September 30th thing is the money's already allocated

 

[belljr]

Now I should add whether it's legal or the people will see the money etc etc. I can't comment on that. I just know budgeting wise they're already just okay writing off the rest of the money if somebody's going to quit after that for getting all the pensions and stuff off the books

 

[Joe Schmo]

I read somewhere on social media that 20k govt employees have accepted the severance/buyout (whatever is the appropriate term)

Haven't been able to locate an article from the legacy media. If somebody finds it, please post.

Hope those 20k thought this through:

https://www.npr.org/2025/02/04/nx-s1-5286238/federal-employees-fork-musk-trump-deferred-resignation

In a major departure from language shared earlier, the sample contract agreement that went out Monday to Environmental Protection Agency employees includes language that appears to acknowledge that federal agencies have no guaranteed funding past March 14, when the latest congressional budget agreement expires.
"Subject to the availability of appropriations, employee shall remain on paid administrative leave up through and including September 30, 2025, or such earlier date on which Employee may choose to resign or otherwise separate from federal service," the sample contract language reads.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
In another section, employees are asked to acknowledge that "this agreement cannot be rescinded, except in the sole discretion of the [AGENCY HEAD], which shall not be subject to review at the Merit Systems Protection Board or otherwise." The language indicates that federal agencies would be able to rescind the agreement and that employees would not have the opportunity to appeal.

The Merit Systems Protection Board is an independent, quasi-judicial agency that hears appeals from federal workers over issues involving federal employment rules.

The sample contract agreement also asks employees to waive their right to "pursue through any judicial, administrative, or other process, any action against [AGENCY] that is based on, arising from, or related to Employee's employment at [AGENCY] or the deferred resignation offer" – and to similarly waive any claim that might be brought on their behalf by a labor union or other entity.

So if that 20,000 is allegedly correct, that's less than 1% of the federal workforce. Also, government salaries are already funded for the rest of the fiscal year. Even if there is no budget passed or CR we won't get paid during a shutdown. But we are already budgeted for the back pay in case of a shutdown. So the whole September 30th thing is the money's already allocated

I misunderstand then as I assume that terms of a CR are only good during the period of time the CR is in effect and therefore if another CR or annual budget package isn't passed then salaries for a reduced workforce are Not guaranteed until such time as further authorized. Which could mean lower budget allocations based on the new personnel threshold adjusted after Feb 6 and prior to the CR/Budget might effect the perhaps illegal "contract" for fork-in-the road funding.

 

[Stoneworker]

I read somewhere on social media that 20k govt employees have accepted the severance/buyout (whatever is the appropriate term)

Haven't been able to locate an article from the legacy media. If somebody finds it, please post.

Here's the link.

What's notable is that, while 20k is 1% of the gov't workforce..."The federal workforce's normal attrition rate is about 6% a year, meaning some of those who've taken the buyout may have been planning to leave government service anyway."

https://www.axios.com/2025/02/04/trump-buyout-federal-workers-20000

 

[belljr]

I read somewhere on social media that 20k govt employees have accepted the severance/buyout (whatever is the appropriate term)

Haven't been able to locate an article from the legacy media. If somebody finds it, please post.

Hope those 20k thought this through:

https://www.npr.org/2025/02/04/nx-s1-5286238/federal-employees-fork-musk-trump-deferred-resignation

In a major departure from language shared earlier, the sample contract agreement that went out Monday to Environmental Protection Agency employees includes language that appears to acknowledge that federal agencies have no guaranteed funding past March 14, when the latest congressional budget agreement expires.
"Subject to the availability of appropriations, employee shall remain on paid administrative leave up through and including September 30, 2025, or such earlier date on which Employee may choose to resign or otherwise separate from federal service," the sample contract language reads.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
In another section, employees are asked to acknowledge that "this agreement cannot be rescinded, except in the sole discretion of the [AGENCY HEAD], which shall not be subject to review at the Merit Systems Protection Board or otherwise." The language indicates that federal agencies would be able to rescind the agreement and that employees would not have the opportunity to appeal.

The Merit Systems Protection Board is an independent, quasi-judicial agency that hears appeals from federal workers over issues involving federal employment rules.

The sample contract agreement also asks employees to waive their right to "pursue through any judicial, administrative, or other process, any action against [AGENCY] that is based on, arising from, or related to Employee's employment at [AGENCY] or the deferred resignation offer" – and to similarly waive any claim that might be brought on their behalf by a labor union or other entity.

So if that 20,000 is allegedly correct, that's less than 1% of the federal workforce. Also, government salaries are already funded for the rest of the fiscal year. Even if there is no budget passed or CR we won't get paid during a shutdown. But we are already budgeted for the back pay in case of a shutdown. So the whole September 30th thing is the money's already allocated

I misunderstand then as I assume that terms of a CR are only good during the period of time the CR is in effect and therefore if another CR or annual budget package isn't passed then salaries for a reduced workforce are Not guaranteed until such time as further authorized. Which could mean lower budget allocations based on the new personnel threshold adjusted after Feb 6 and prior to the CR/Budget might effect the perhaps illegal "contract" for fork-in-the road funding.

No that is also true technically. My point is this. Employees got their cola raises on a CR. Why? Because even though a budget still hasn't passed the salaries are all on the books. So budget wise they "exist".... Now if you quit and we go into a shutdown then there is potentially no money for the people that resign. My point was basically the 9/30 date wasn't some 8 month gift. We already budgeted for you to be here until 10/1 fiscal year so we will just keep it on the books and write it off.

It's not black and white and the verbiage changes with each FAQ...... So it's kind of both true. Already budgeted but hasn't passed technically so that money might not be there if you resign but if you are employed by law the money is there......kind of chicken and egg

 

[Stoneworker]

No that is also true technically. My point is this. Employees got their cola raises on a CR. Why? Because even though a budget still hasn't passed the salaries are all on the books. So budget wise they "exist".... Now if you quit and we go into a shutdown then there is potentially no money for the people that resign. My point was basically the 9/30 date wasn't some 8 month gift. We already budgeted for you to be here until 10/1 fiscal year so we will just keep it on the books and write it off.

It's not black and white and the verbiage changes with each FAQ...... So it's kind of both true. Already budgeted but hasn't passed technically so that money might not be there if you resign but if you are employed by law the money is there......kind of chicken and egg

My understanding is that the issue is not available budgeted dollars per se (which as you point out should be there)...nor whether a new CR would get approved (generally a formality these days)...but that entering into a contractual obligation to provide the severance/buyout is legally in violation of the Anti-Deficiency Act (due to future salaries being an unfunded liability from a technical standpoint)

The Anti-Deficiency Act (ADA) is a law that prevents the US government from spending more money than it has available. It also prevents the government from entering into financial obligations before it has received the necessary funds.

 

[-OZ-]

Since we're DoD, the current thinking is that those employees won't be eligible,

There seems to be confusion on this point. We were told DACs aren’t exempt, although some positions might be. Not sure if that’s still accurate.

 

[Buckna]

I read somewhere on social media that 20k govt employees have accepted the severance/buyout (whatever is the appropriate term)

Haven't been able to locate an article from the legacy media. If somebody finds it, please post.

Hope those 20k thought this through:

https://www.npr.org/2025/02/04/nx-s1-5286238/federal-employees-fork-musk-trump-deferred-resignation

In a major departure from language shared earlier, the sample contract agreement that went out Monday to Environmental Protection Agency employees includes language that appears to acknowledge that federal agencies have no guaranteed funding past March 14, when the latest congressional budget agreement expires.
"Subject to the availability of appropriations, employee shall remain on paid administrative leave up through and including September 30, 2025, or such earlier date on which Employee may choose to resign or otherwise separate from federal service," the sample contract language reads.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
In another section, employees are asked to acknowledge that "this agreement cannot be rescinded, except in the sole discretion of the [AGENCY HEAD], which shall not be subject to review at the Merit Systems Protection Board or otherwise." The language indicates that federal agencies would be able to rescind the agreement and that employees would not have the opportunity to appeal.

The Merit Systems Protection Board is an independent, quasi-judicial agency that hears appeals from federal workers over issues involving federal employment rules.

The sample contract agreement also asks employees to waive their right to "pursue through any judicial, administrative, or other process, any action against [AGENCY] that is based on, arising from, or related to Employee's employment at [AGENCY] or the deferred resignation offer" – and to similarly waive any claim that might be brought on their behalf by a labor union or other entity.

So if that 20,000 is allegedly correct, that's less than 1% of the federal workforce. Also, government salaries are already funded for the rest of the fiscal year. Even if there is no budget passed or CR we won't get paid during a shutdown. But we are already budgeted for the back pay in case of a shutdown. So the whole September 30th thing is the money's already allocated

Was reading a post somewhere else (didn’t cite their source) that said on average that 10k gov’t employees retire every month. If true, that 20k may very well be made up of quite a few people already planning on retiring rolling the dice to see if they can get some extra months of pay for free (although I’d be worried about losing benefits as a trade off if it was me.)

 

[Stoneworker]

The Sec of State just issued a USAID waiver for Costa Rica today.

So all this outrage about "callousness of the shuttering of USAID being appalling" is just premature dog whistling.

People need to chill until the full review is conducted and events completely unfold.

 

[Joe Bryant]

The Sec of State just issued a USAID waiver for Costa Rica today.

Please share a link.

And please drop the discussion on "appalling" and such and let's keep it to just what has happened.

 

[Stoneworker]

The Sec of State just issued a USAID waiver for Costa Rica today.

Please share a link.

And please drop the discussion on "appalling" and such and let's keep it to just what has happened.

No worries. (fwiw the "appalling" comment was part of someone's direct response to one of my earlier posts but I completely respect your wishes and will happily comply).

During a visit to the Central American country, Rubio announced a USAID waiver for Costa Rica, about two weeks after the White House placed a 90-day freeze on foreign aid funding worldwide.

“I have long supported foreign aid," Rubio said. "I continue to support foreign aid, but it is not charity. It exists for advancing the national interests of the U.S. Every dollar I spend as long as I’m secretary of state will be a dollar that’s advancing our national interests.”
“We’ve issued a waiver today because in Costa Rica we have a trusted partner and ally who has proven they have taken aid from the United States to help us stop drugs and criminals,” Rubio said. “This is foreign aid that furthers U.S. interests.”

Rubio grants Costa Rica USAID waiver

 

[Stoneworker]

The Sec of State just issued a USAID waiver for Costa Rica today.

Please share a link.

And please drop the discussion on "appalling" and such and let's keep it to just what has happened.

Video interview with Sec. of State. Answer begins at 0:55.

Forbes Breaking News: Marco Rubio Asked Point Blank About USAID Shutdown

 

[Stoneworker]

Excerpts from a well-written WSJ editorial:

The 1998 law that established USAID stated that “The Administrator of the Agency for International Development . . . shall report to and be under the direct authority and foreign policy guidance of the Secretary of State.” This means that USAID isn’t a fully independent agency and would violate the terms of its authorizing legislation if it refused to accept the secretary’s guidance.

Enter newly confirmed Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who told reporters accompanying him to Latin America that USAID is “a completely unresponsive agency.” Citing his experience in Congress, he stated that “it’s supposed to respond to policy directives with the State Department, and it refuses to do so.”

If this alleged unresponsiveness continues, Mr. Rubio would have the authority to fire noncompliant officials and seek to replace them with people who would respect his statutory authority. But he has no legal right to abolish USAID any more than the president does (that action would require Congress).

 

[Max Power]

Since we're DoD, the current thinking is that those employees won't be eligible,

There seems to be confusion on this point. We were told DACs aren’t exempt, although some positions might be. Not sure if that’s still accurate.

I think my area might be. We fall under Crisis Response, but again.... who the heck knows. It shouldn't be this difficult to figure out. Its like OPM sent the email and never offered additional guidance.

 

[-OZ-]

Its like OPM sent the email and never offered additional guidance.

Yep. I love the guidance “contact your local ethics office”. Usually that’s a great start. But we don’t have the answers. I’m out this week (personal stuff) but checked in yesterday, to 8 emails from people asking for my advice. The best I could give was that nothing legally changed, approval is still needed if you’re a 450 filer (although we could determine you don’t need to file as you’re no longer performing those duties), and no representating to the government - which almost means no contractor work which is what most people want to do.

 

[Orange&Blue]

https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/03/politics/usaid-washington-workers/index.html

USAID workers, most of whom are career government employees, were emailed shortly after midnight that they should not come into their Washington office, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.

“At the direction of Agency leadership, the USAID headquarters at the Ronald Reagan building in Washington, D.C. will be closed to Agency personnel on Monday, February 3, 2025. Agency personnel normally assigned to work at USAID headquarters will work remotely tomorrow, with the exception of personnel with essential on-site and building maintenance functions individually contacted by senior leadership,” said the email, of which CNN has obtained a copy.

Thousands of personal services contractors and civil servants lost access to email and USAID systems overnight.

The sudden chaos has left employees struggling to get any answers as they have gotten no information, officials aid. Personal services contractors, who travel on diplomatic passports and speak on behalf of the agency, are required to be given 15 days of notice before termination, but that has not happened.

Some USAID contractors who are on official work travel are suddenly stuck, some in sensitive and dangerous places, without answers of how they will get home.

A source who works in a USAID annex building told CNN they have no word on whether they should go to work on Monday.

When asked if leaders in their department appeared to have any more information on the future of the agency’s work, the source said: “Our senior leaders have all been fired.”

=================================================================================
USAID logos and photos showing the humanitarian work the agency does around the globe were removed from its offices last week, multiple sources familiar with the situation told CNN.

“All of the visuals have been taken down. These are like large-scale photos of our work in developing countries that are in our lobbies, in our galleys, in communal kitchens, hallways,” a USAID employee said. “An order also came down to individual bureaus and offices to remove all USAID artwork and signage.”

Another USAID worker told CNN: “They’ve taken the photos off the walls, and we’re missing half of our colleagues because our colleagues are gone and have been let go, and everyone sort of feels like they’re walking around with a target on their back.”

This can get political quick but this is BS. A friend left the army to work for USAID, lawyer. We saw her the week before inauguration, she seemed to be doing well but definitely looked stressed.
At the risk of sounding political, there is some major strategic reasons for the services provided by USAID, things the military isn’t right to do but help the national defense - imo anyway.

Leaving a vacuum will allow for other world powers to become the good guys in the eyes of many.

one if the things taught at all military academies is the benefit of soft power. it's been around for decades and has proven beneficial numerous times to avoid conflict, project American goodwill, and forward our interests. but apparently that is woke.

China is loving this.

 

[Orange&Blue]

Excerpts from a well-written WSJ editorial:

The 1998 law that established USAID stated that “The Administrator of the Agency for International Development . . . shall report to and be under the direct authority and foreign policy guidance of the Secretary of State.” This means that USAID isn’t a fully independent agency and would violate the terms of its authorizing legislation if it refused to accept the secretary’s guidance.

Enter newly confirmed Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who told reporters accompanying him to Latin America that USAID is “a completely unresponsive agency.” Citing his experience in Congress, he stated that “it’s supposed to respond to policy directives with the State Department, and it refuses to do so.”

If this alleged unresponsiveness continues, Mr. Rubio would have the authority to fire noncompliant officials and seek to replace them with people who would respect his statutory authority. But he has no legal right to abolish USAID any more than the president does (that action would require Congress).

as i said earlier, the POTUS is given authority to implement his policies in accordance with the laws established. while i don't agree with a kot of what he has done, for the most part he hasn't broken it from my uneducated eye.

having said that, the way they are doing this is just assinine. causing all this chaos, fear, etc benefits no one. if you want to review all USAID programs, fine, go right ahead. if you want to review grants/etc, fine, go right ahead. But to cut them without warning is just wrong as you are causing unintended and potentially irreversible harm.

if you want to cut x% of the federal workforce, fine, that is your right. but send out semi-educated emails and in a manner that still allows agencies to perform their law abiding functions.

 

[Capella]

So all this outrage about "callousness of the shuttering of USAID being appalling" is just premature dog whistling.

People need to chill until the full review is conducted and events completely unfold.

Is this premature? Just posted to usaid.gov:

On Friday, February 7, 2025, at 11:59 pm (EST) all USAID direct hire personnel will be placed on administrative leave globally, with the exception of designated personnel responsible for mission-critical functions, core leadership and specially designated programs. Essential personnel expected to continue working will be informed by Agency leadership by Thursday, February 6, at 3:00pm (EST).

 

[Stoneworker]

Is this premature? Just posted to usaid.gov:

On Friday, February 7, 2025, at 11:59 pm (EST) all USAID direct hire personnel will be placed on administrative leave globally, with the exception of designated personnel responsible for mission-critical functions, core leadership and specially designated programs. Essential personnel expected to continue working will be informed by Agency leadership by Thursday, February 6, at 3:00pm (EST).

Has the 90-day review been completed?

 

[CGRdrJoe]

Is this premature? Just posted to usaid.gov:

On Friday, February 7, 2025, at 11:59 pm (EST) all USAID direct hire personnel will be placed on administrative leave globally, with the exception of designated personnel responsible for mission-critical functions, core leadership and specially designated programs. Essential personnel expected to continue working will be informed by Agency leadership by Thursday, February 6, at 3:00pm (EST).

Has the 90-day review been completed?

are you a government employee or are you just googling things? I feel like you are just googling articles

 

[dutch]

What an awful time for government employees, what a blow to people in our communities and our circle of life. Best to all y'all. This is not good, imo.

 

[fatness]

Federal workers who accept buyout must waive their right to legal action, contract says

Will Employees Who Resign Have a Remedy?

 

[Max Power]

Since we're DoD, the current thinking is that those employees won't be eligible,

There seems to be confusion on this point. We were told DACs aren’t exempt, although some positions might be. Not sure if that’s still accurate.

We got an email that night that our CO is requesting all members under his control be exempt from the deferred resignation program. We anticipate a determination on the request by 6FEB.

 

[dgreen]

It’s times like this that I both wish we had the PSF and glad we don’t.

 

[Sleestak]

Since we're DoD, the current thinking is that those employees won't be eligible,

There seems to be confusion on this point. We were told DACs aren’t exempt, although some positions might be. Not sure if that’s still accurate.

We got an email that night that our CO is requesting all members under his control be exempt from the deferred resignation program. We anticipate a determination on the request by 6FEB.

Any hints as to the possibility of VERA for DoD in the near future? If not, what is your read of the tea leaves in that regard?

 

[Max Power]

Since we're DoD, the current thinking is that those employees won't be eligible,

There seems to be confusion on this point. We were told DACs aren’t exempt, although some positions might be. Not sure if that’s still accurate.

We got an email that night that our CO is requesting all members under his control be exempt from the deferred resignation program. We anticipate a determination on the request by 6FEB.

Any hints as to the possibility of VERA for DoD in the near future? If not, what is your read of the tea leaves in that regard?

I'm not totally up to speed on how that all works, but our command has been downsizing for several years now. We had a plan to get overall numbers down by 2026 which used civilian attrition to reduce the force. Once a civilian leaves the force that billet goes to review board to determine if it gets reposted, goes away entirely or is filled with a contractor/military billet.

We had a couple senior civilians submit VERA/VSIP last year that were denied because our unit's CO didn't want to risk losing the billet. I've heard (rumor) the same people along with a couple more applied again this year, but we're expecting the same results. Obviously, there are some things moving behind the scenes that I'm not privy to. So I really don't know. Our HR staff just hosted a large briefing/training on VERA/VSIP for the workforce, so it would seem silly to deny those... but it's the government and all.

 

[Redwes25]

Federal workers who accept buyout must waive their right to legal action, contract says

Will Employees Who Resign Have a Remedy?

Pretty standard in severance/boyout situations that if you take the offer you are waiving your legal right to sue. Think articles are making a stink over something totally standard.

 

[Redwes25]

My wife is just short of the offered early retirement age (25 year prong). Think if she had qualified she would have taken it. We don't really need her income but her health insurance is so much better then mine that is one of the main reasons she has kept her working. She isn't interested in the buyout thing.

Also, I have encouraged her to work since if she wouldn't she would drive me completely crazy thinking I now have all the free time she does.

 

[Sleestak]

Since we're DoD, the current thinking is that those employees won't be eligible,

There seems to be confusion on this point. We were told DACs aren’t exempt, although some positions might be. Not sure if that’s still accurate.

We got an email that night that our CO is requesting all members under his control be exempt from the deferred resignation program. We anticipate a determination on the request by 6FEB.

Any hints as to the possibility of VERA for DoD in the near future? If not, what is your read of the tea leaves in that regard?

I'm not totally up to speed on how that all works, but our command has been downsizing for several years now. We had a plan to get overall numbers down by 2026 which used civilian attrition to reduce the force. Once a civilian leaves the force that billet goes to review board to determine if it gets reposted, goes away entirely or is filled with a contractor/military billet.

We had a couple senior civilians submit VERA/VSIP last year that were denied because our unit's CO didn't want to risk losing the billet. I've heard (rumor) the same people along with a couple more applied again this year, but we're expecting the same results. Obviously, there are some things moving behind the scenes that I'm not privy to. So I really don't know. Our HR staff just hosted a large briefing/training on VERA/VSIP for the workforce, so it would seem silly to deny those... but it's the government and all.

Thank you.

I'm hoping for a VERA early out. I have just begun familiarizing myself with the retirement process. I downloaded a SF-3107 "Application For Immediate Retirement" and filled it out for practice. I know who to call for assistance (Civilian Benefit Center - 888-320-2917), and the address in Norfolk to mail the application.

What I am a little unsure about is what to send with my application that clues them in that this is an early out vice a normal retirement. I guess they just "figure that out" based on my age? I assume that I would need to include in my package a letter from my org stating that they were offering and I was taking Optional Early Retirement? Still trying to figure out the nuts and bolts.

 

[Max Power]

Since we're DoD, the current thinking is that those employees won't be eligible,

There seems to be confusion on this point. We were told DACs aren’t exempt, although some positions might be. Not sure if that’s still accurate.

We got an email that night that our CO is requesting all members under his control be exempt from the deferred resignation program. We anticipate a determination on the request by 6FEB.

Any hints as to the possibility of VERA for DoD in the near future? If not, what is your read of the tea leaves in that regard?

I'm not totally up to speed on how that all works, but our command has been downsizing for several years now. We had a plan to get overall numbers down by 2026 which used civilian attrition to reduce the force. Once a civilian leaves the force that billet goes to review board to determine if it gets reposted, goes away entirely or is filled with a contractor/military billet.

We had a couple senior civilians submit VERA/VSIP last year that were denied because our unit's CO didn't want to risk losing the billet. I've heard (rumor) the same people along with a couple more applied again this year, but we're expecting the same results. Obviously, there are some things moving behind the scenes that I'm not privy to. So I really don't know. Our HR staff just hosted a large briefing/training on VERA/VSIP for the workforce, so it would seem silly to deny those... but it's the government and all.

Thank you.

I'm hoping for a VERA early out. I have just begun familiarizing myself with the retirement process. I downloaded a SF-3107 "Application For Immediate Retirement" and filled it out for practice. I know who to call for assistance (Civilian Benefit Center - 888-320-2917), and the address in Norfolk to mail the application.

What I am a little unsure about is what to send with my application that clues them in that this is an early out vice a normal retirement. I guess they just "figure that out" based on my age? I assume that I would need to include in my package a letter from my org stating that they were offering and I was taking Optional Early Retirement? Still trying to figure out the nuts and bolts.

From my understanding your org needs to approve it.

 

[tommyGunZ]

I read somewhere on social media that 20k govt employees have accepted the severance/buyout (whatever is the appropriate term)

Haven't been able to locate an article from the legacy media. If somebody finds it, please post.

I was just sitting with my supervisor this morning who told me our command had more people respond "resign" to the fork email than our leadership would have guessed. Since we're DoD, the current thinking is that those employees won't be eligible, but they are sorting through that now. It's a bit surprising because we don't have many WFH type jobs, and everyone is already in the building 5 days a week.

We are going through our own internal reorganization that will have pros and cons for everyone, but I didn't think anything was changing enough to quit over. The worst thing to happen to anyone is a more structured deployment schedule that will force those not already pulling their weight to step up.

If you are surprised now at the percentage of folks you work with taking the package, consider how much harder it will be for government to attract and retain talent in the future. People choosing to serve in govt roles were already conceding compensation for stabiliity. Imagine what it will be like when the standard offering from govt to work in public services is: “Come work for us - we’ll pay you significantly less than you could make in the private sector and your job can vanish at any time, on a whim.”

The chaos being sewn now will reverberate for decades.

 

[Max Power]

I read somewhere on social media that 20k govt employees have accepted the severance/buyout (whatever is the appropriate term)

Haven't been able to locate an article from the legacy media. If somebody finds it, please post.

I was just sitting with my supervisor this morning who told me our command had more people respond "resign" to the fork email than our leadership would have guessed. Since we're DoD, the current thinking is that those employees won't be eligible, but they are sorting through that now. It's a bit surprising because we don't have many WFH type jobs, and everyone is already in the building 5 days a week.

We are going through our own internal reorganization that will have pros and cons for everyone, but I didn't think anything was changing enough to quit over. The worst thing to happen to anyone is a more structured deployment schedule that will force those not already pulling their weight to step up.

If you are surprised now at the percentage of folks you work with taking the package, consider how much harder it will be for government to attract and retain talent in the future. People choosing to serve in govt roles were already conceding compensation for stabiliity. Imagine what it will be like when the standard offering from govt to work in public services is: “Come work for us - we’ll pay you significantly less than you could make in the private sector and your job can vanish at any time, on a whim.”

The chaos being sewn now will reverberate for decades.

No one is getting fired though. This was a voluntary out. The pay gap has been widening for years now, so that is an issue that needs to be looked at.

 

[Joe Schmo]

I read somewhere on social media that 20k govt employees have accepted the severance/buyout (whatever is the appropriate term)

Haven't been able to locate an article from the legacy media. If somebody finds it, please post.

I was just sitting with my supervisor this morning who told me our command had more people respond "resign" to the fork email than our leadership would have guessed. Since we're DoD, the current thinking is that those employees won't be eligible, but they are sorting through that now. It's a bit surprising because we don't have many WFH type jobs, and everyone is already in the building 5 days a week.

We are going through our own internal reorganization that will have pros and cons for everyone, but I didn't think anything was changing enough to quit over. The worst thing to happen to anyone is a more structured deployment schedule that will force those not already pulling their weight to step up.

If you are surprised now at the percentage of folks you work with taking the package, consider how much harder it will be for government to attract and retain talent in the future. People choosing to serve in govt roles were already conceding compensation for stabiliity. Imagine what it will be like when the standard offering from govt to work in public services is: “Come work for us - we’ll pay you significantly less than you could make in the private sector and your job can vanish at any time, on a whim.”

The chaos being sewn now will reverberate for decades.

No one is getting fired though. This was a voluntary out. The pay gap has been widening for years now, so that is an issue that needs to be looked at.

By the accounts I'm reading that is the next step in the process and to Tommy's point, fork-in-the-road was basically a get out while you can before we push you out set-up so while they weren't fired this wasn't a totally voluntary impulse on the takers. Quit or be fired.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

@tommyGunZ wrote
People choosing to serve in govt roles were already conceding compensation for stability
“Come work for us - we’ll pay you significantly less than you could make in the private sector and your job can vanish at any time, on a whim.”



-He's right, IT as an example is a vital part of all these different agencies
If you need any proof, "I hear" they are using 19 year olds right now to unleash the A.I. elements into how they are now balancing the books
I get it the kids are young and more skilled than a 50-55 year old, fine. It also allows you to pay them chump change and fire them on a whim at any moment

By and Large I have been very proud to call myself an American the last couple weeks, that should be easy to read and understand
That said, like restaurants I frequent, I don't like everything on the menu, usually I order the same 2 or 3 things.

I liked that post and I don't think you need to be on the L/R to understand the pain some of these regular government employees are going thru right now
They are not all evil people doing evil things on a daily basis over at the Legion of Doom, maybe a few but certainly not the majority. They're regular folks like the rest of us.

 

[Joe Schmo]

https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/04/poli...layoffs-deferred-resignation-offer/index.html

 

[Brunell4MVP]

As long as the mission of USAID is still carried out with ideals of mercy and humanity built in as designed then moving the agency under the umbrella of State might not be an awful thing.

Exactly. Shutting down USAID or DoEd (which I worked at) are good things. We waste so much money. Put the oversees funding into the DoS and keep them art history majors from deciding what's important overseas. Move Ed to state level and put the remaining in something like HHS, like meal vouchers, etc.

The DoEd was a joke. It was started in 1979 as a way to pacify the teachers unions as Carter was on the way out. You know we send $675M each year to Harvard, who has like a $53B endowment? It's hardly limited to just them. They don't need our money. They just want it. And funding some professor that teaches one class a semester while researching whatever ... it's coming out of your pocket. Private companies can fund the research and their endowment can pay for ther students. We don't need to be propping up a private college that would deny 99.999% of US students. And multiply that by xxx number of private schools. We send like $1B to barber shop schools.

I've lived in DC area my whole life. Your federal govt is a completely mismanaged organization. $6.75 Trillion in spending last year. Each of us contributes an average of $52K per year to keep it running. It's ridiculous.

I'm so glad someone is trying something ...Anything. I may not like all that is done nor the way some people do it. But staying with the status quo will turn us in to the dead Roman Empire.

 

[Max Power]

I read somewhere on social media that 20k govt employees have accepted the severance/buyout (whatever is the appropriate term)

Haven't been able to locate an article from the legacy media. If somebody finds it, please post.

I was just sitting with my supervisor this morning who told me our command had more people respond "resign" to the fork email than our leadership would have guessed. Since we're DoD, the current thinking is that those employees won't be eligible, but they are sorting through that now. It's a bit surprising because we don't have many WFH type jobs, and everyone is already in the building 5 days a week.

We are going through our own internal reorganization that will have pros and cons for everyone, but I didn't think anything was changing enough to quit over. The worst thing to happen to anyone is a more structured deployment schedule that will force those not already pulling their weight to step up.

If you are surprised now at the percentage of folks you work with taking the package, consider how much harder it will be for government to attract and retain talent in the future. People choosing to serve in govt roles were already conceding compensation for stabiliity. Imagine what it will be like when the standard offering from govt to work in public services is: “Come work for us - we’ll pay you significantly less than you could make in the private sector and your job can vanish at any time, on a whim.”

The chaos being sewn now will reverberate for decades.

No one is getting fired though. This was a voluntary out. The pay gap has been widening for years now, so that is an issue that needs to be looked at.

By the accounts I'm reading that is the next step in the process and to Tommy's point, fork-in-the-road was basically a get out while you can before we push you out set-up so while they weren't fired this wasn't a totally voluntary impulse on the takers. Quit or be fired.

Where are you reading that? I've seen the "threat" of releasing workers who won't return full time to office, but that's been it.

 

[-OZ-]

If you are surprised now at the percentage of folks you work with taking the package, consider how much harder it will be for government to attract and retain talent in the future.

I was scheduled to make two recruiting trips this week. We postponed to March. I’m not sure that will be better but hopefully we’ll have more clarity.
I honestly don’t think we’ll drop many slots, but who knows.

 

[Joe Schmo]

As long as the mission of USAID is still carried out with ideals of mercy and humanity built in as designed then moving the agency under the umbrella of State might not be an awful thing.

Exactly. Shutting down USAID or DoEd (which I worked at) are good things. We waste so much money. Put the oversees funding into the DoS and keep them art history majors from deciding what's important overseas.

The DoEd was a joke. It was started in 1979 as a way to pacify the teachers unions as Carter was on the way out. You know we send $675M each year to Harvard, who has like a $53B endowment? It's hardly limited to just them. They don't need our money. They just want it. And funding some professor that teaches one class a semester while researching whatever ... it's coming out of your pocket. Private companies can fund the research and their endowment can pay for ther students. We don't need to be propping up a private college that would deny 99.999% of US students. And multiply that by xxx number of private schools. We send like $1B to barber shop schools.

I've lived in DC area my whole life. Your federal govt is a completely mismanaged organization. $6.75 Trillion in spending last year. Each of us contributes an average of $52K per year to keep it running. It's ridiculous.

I'm so glad someone is trying something ...Anything. I may not like all that is done nor the way some people do it. But staying with the status quo will turn us in to the dead Roman Empire.

I disagree that burning out the core from the inside is the best, most responsible way to attain control over the presumed bloat and while it might feel good to watch everything burn the chaos after the fact will have repercussions throughout the country and ,imo, this is going to be bad. I'll wait and see but I am not optimistic.

Oh, and by the way, USADI was not handled with mercy or humanity, it was closed up and gutted to be rebuilt into something else entirely but with who knows running things now that all the experience is being driven out. We shall see.

 

[Joe Schmo]

https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/04/poli...layoffs-deferred-resignation-offer/index.html

I read somewhere on social media that 20k govt employees have accepted the severance/buyout (whatever is the appropriate term)

Haven't been able to locate an article from the legacy media. If somebody finds it, please post.

I was just sitting with my supervisor this morning who told me our command had more people respond "resign" to the fork email than our leadership would have guessed. Since we're DoD, the current thinking is that those employees won't be eligible, but they are sorting through that now. It's a bit surprising because we don't have many WFH type jobs, and everyone is already in the building 5 days a week.

We are going through our own internal reorganization that will have pros and cons for everyone, but I didn't think anything was changing enough to quit over. The worst thing to happen to anyone is a more structured deployment schedule that will force those not already pulling their weight to step up.

If you are surprised now at the percentage of folks you work with taking the package, consider how much harder it will be for government to attract and retain talent in the future. People choosing to serve in govt roles were already conceding compensation for stabiliity. Imagine what it will be like when the standard offering from govt to work in public services is: “Come work for us - we’ll pay you significantly less than you could make in the private sector and your job can vanish at any time, on a whim.”

The chaos being sewn now will reverberate for decades.

No one is getting fired though. This was a voluntary out. The pay gap has been widening for years now, so that is an issue that needs to be looked at.

By the accounts I'm reading that is the next step in the process and to Tommy's point, fork-in-the-road was basically a get out while you can before we push you out set-up so while they weren't fired this wasn't a totally voluntary impulse on the takers. Quit or be fired.

Where are you reading that? I've seen the "threat" of releasing workers who won't return full time to office, but that's been it.