Trump’s Tariff Plans Could Make It Harder for Federal Workers to Leave Their Jobs
The U.S. government is offering buyouts to federal workers in an effort to cut down on its workforce. This new offer follows a similar program used before mass firings led by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.
Around 75,000 federal workers took the first buyout offer, but experts are unsure how many will accept this time. With the market uncertainty caused by President Donald Trump’s tariffs, some fear fewer workers will leave their jobs now.
Major agencies like the Treasury, Defense, and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) have launched this new program.
It lets workers take paid leave until September before officially quitting. The Department of Homeland Security has even offered some employees up to $25,000 for resigning.
However, economists believe that many federal workers may be less likely to leave now due to fears of a recession. The uncertainty from Trump’s tariffs might make the private sector less likely to hire, making it harder for workers to transition out of government jobs.
Labor unions, who are unhappy with the buyout plan, see this new program as an effort to avoid large layoffs. Some workers have joined online groups to discuss the challenges of leaving their jobs in these uncertain times.
This program is part of a broader government effort to cut costs and reduce the size of the federal workforce, which has been a focus for the Trump administration.
But the uncertain job market, influenced by tariffs and economic concerns, could make it harder for workers to take the offer.
(Source: Reuters)