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BALTIMORE, MD -- Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today joined a coalition of 11 attorneys general warning federal employees about the Trump administration's so-called “deferred resignation" program, which offers federal employees pay through September 30, 2025, if they resign by February 6, 2025.
“Federal employees are hardworking and dedicated civil servants who provide critical services to the people of the United States and Maryland," said Attorney General Brown. “The terms of this vague, so-called 'deferred resignation' puts federal employees in an ambiguous position and risks straining essential government resources that people across the State and country rely on to live full, healthy lives."
Unions have provided guidance to employees to assist in protecting their rights. Federal employees provide critical services that Americans rely on every day. This so-called buyout offer is just the latest attack on the government's ability to provide vital support for Americans.
On January 28, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) sent an email to millions of federal employees detailing a new deferred resignation program. Employees were told that if they accept the offer and resign, they would continue receiving all pay and benefits, and be exempt from in-person work requirements until September 30. OPM sent another email to federal employees on January 30 reiterating the offer and urging them to find “higher productivity" jobs outside of government. The OPM emails instructed employees that they have until February 6 to decide to remain in their position or resign under the deferred resignation program, and warned that those who did not resign were not guaranteed to keep their jobs.
Immediately following OPM's email, unions representing federal employees warned their members against accepting the offer. The American Federation of Government Employees, the largest federal employees union, released information for its members warning them that employees who accepted the offer were not guaranteed its benefits. The National Federation of Federal Employees similarly warned its members against accepting the offer.
Joining Attorney General Brown in issuing the warning to federal employees are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, Michigan, Minnesota, Vermont, and Washington.
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