Federal employees have until Feb. 6 to decide if they want to take the buyout.
SAN ANTONIO — Millions of federal employees face the tough decision to take a buyout or stay in their positions and face possible layoffs.
The email sent out Tuesday from the Office of Personal Management gives federal employees until Feb. 6 to decide.
Not included in this buyout are military service members U.S. Postal workers, or those in positions related to national security.
The two workers who spoke with KENS 5 said they knew something like this was coming.
These federal employees want to stay anonymous but both have decided to not take the buyout.
Around 200,000 federal workers in the San Antonio region sent this email from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management Tuesday have until Feb. 6 to reply writing the word “resign.”
Pay and benefits are offered until September of 2025.
“But there’s a little trust concern there for me – I’m not comfortable being in a position of being quote un-quote forced out,” a federal employee who will go by the name of Jack told KENS 5.
This federal employee for over a decade said he’s not going to leave but the news has an impact.
“I feel federal employees have been targeted, messaging like this and the communication that’s being put out…the morale is just taking a dip.”
While another federal employee who we’ll call John is taking a positive stance.
“The way the email was worded, ‘hey if you’re going to stay on’…let’s rock and roll and get it done for the American people.” John said.
John added that he thinks the U.S. is headed in the right direction and there’s some streamlining that needs to be done.
The email outlines four pillars that will be used to create a quote ‘reformed federal workforce.’
Federal employees were thanked for their service to the united states but this move is promising quote ‘restored accountability.’
UTSA political science professor Jon Taylor said moves like this will have a trickle down effect.
“We’re talking about the social safety net, you’re gonna see that impacted if we see a substantial amount of people leaving federal employment,” Taylor said.
Not taking the buyout, both Jack and John are confident in their work but remain cautious.
“It’s definitely a risk I’m taking and willing to take and I will be monitoring the job market,” Jack said
“Just given what I do and where I work I don’t think it will be on the chopping block but you never know,” John said.
Both federal workers said most of the people in their offices considering the buyouts right now are on their way to retirement.