OPM instructs agencies to turn over plans for mass government layoffs
A Wednesday memo from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) directs agencies across government to turn over plans for widespread layoffs of federal employees by March 13.
The memo, which provides more specific guidance after a Feb. 11 executive order from President Trump mandating layoffs, requires agencies to break down their plans for a reduction in force and broader restructuring of their agencies.
It also indicates the White House is eager to speed the firing of federal workers, noting that OPM can cut in half the 60-day notification period for employees being laid off, meaning swift-moving agencies could begin notifying affected employees as soon as April.
“Pursuant to the President’s direction, agencies should focus on the maximum elimination of functions that are not statutorily mandated while driving the highest-quality, most efficient delivery of their statutorily-required functions,” OPM and OMB wrote in the memo.
The memo directs agencies to “collaborate with their Department of Government Efficiency (“DOGE”) team leads within the agency.”
Among the suggested methods for cutting employees is looking at “positions not typically designated as essential during a lapse in appropriations.”
The memo also suggests agencies “close and/or consolidate regional field offices to the extent consistent with efficient service delivery; and maximally reduce the use of outside consultants and contractors.”
Agencies are even directed to weigh “whether the agency [itself] or any of its subcomponents should be eliminated or consolidated.”
Also among the suggestions for improving efficiency is to “automate routine tasks.”
Law enforcement, national security, military and postal service roles are exempt, as are all political appointees and the White House.
The plans for a reduction in force follow both the offer of a government buyout and the mass firing of thousands of employees on probationary status – those who were hired within the last year.
The Merit System Protection Board on Tuesday ordered a small number of fired probationary employees be returned to their post for 45 days – following a recommendation by the Office of the Special Counsel that the probationary filings were unlawful and would likely need to be accomplished through a reduction in force.
The Wednesday memo from the two agencies lays out the path for conducting that process, allowing layoff of workers not yet fired as well as a route to fire any probationary employees, should they return to their posts.
No later than April 14, agencies are directed to embark on “Phase 2,” listing all employees they plan to lay off as well as any proposed relocations.
It does require that any departments who provide direct services to citizens must break down how any agency reorganization will have a positive impact.
Once agencies submit their Phase 2 plan they can begin formally notifying employees who will be laid off. While this notification usually comes 60 days ahead of termination, OPM notes it can give a waiver to shorten that period to 30 days.
After that notification window, agencies can begin firing employees.
Updated at 12:53 p.m. EST
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