President Donald Trump has offered federal workers the option to resign and receive pay for eight months, in a major move to downsize and reform the United States government.

In an email sent this week, his administration requested almost the entirety of government employees to decide by February 6th whether they want to be part of a “deferred resignation” program causing them to leave their jobs no later than the end of September.

Many federal employees who received the email have voiced confusion about the details of the deal.

The US Office of Personnel Management (OPM) offered an outline of the plans on their website, stating on an FAQs page that those who accept the deal are “not expected to work”, except in rare cases.

It also says anyone who decides to quit will be exempt for the remainder of their contracts from Trump’s requirement that they work in the office rather than at home.

Senior Trump officials said in statements to the press that the plan could save the government up to $100 billion.

The OPM said the offer was available to “all full-time federal employees” – excluding certain staff such as postal workers, members of the military, immigration officials, and some national security teams.

Workers wishing to take the deal were asked to reply to the email with the word “resign” in the subject line. The offer has been described as “very generous” by the White House.

The message also warned of future downsizing that could impact those who chose to stay. “We cannot give you full assurance regarding the certainty of your position or agency but should your position be eliminated you will be treated with dignity,” it read.

Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff for policy, told CNN that federal workers were “overwhelmingly left of centre”, and that it was “essential” for Trump to “get control of government”.

The move has been condemned across federal agencies. In a statement released yesterday, the head of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) union warned that this “purging” process would have “vast, unintended consequences that will cause chaos for the Americans who depend on a functioning federal government”. 

“This offer should not be viewed as voluntary. Between the flurry of anti-worker executive orders and policies, it is clear that the Trump administration’s goal is to turn the federal government into a toxic environment where workers cannot stay even if they want to.”

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is the largest federal employee union, representing 800,000 workers in the federal government and the government of the District of Columbia.

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