As the federal resignation offer looms, some workers dig in their heels

Federal employees have until 11:59 p.m. to decide whether to take a “deferred resignation” offer, which the Trump administration says would allow workers to leave their jobs yet retain pay and benefits through the end of September. The credibility and legality of this unprecedented proposal has since been widely challenged, as the administration hasn’t received budget authorization from Congress for any buyout program.

The Wall Street Journal reports that more than 40,000 employees, or about 2% of the federal workforce, have taken the offer as of February 5, a number far below the 5–10% target set by the Trump administration.

One worker who just finished a multiyear contract with the Department of Commerce, and whose employment was personally unaffected by the resignation offer, says she worries that this will be the most massive brain-drain in U.S. history, and the result of “employer-led abuse.” (Fast Company has agreed to not use her name due to fear of retaliation, but has verified her identity.)

Federal employees describe a workplace of plummeting morale and ratcheting anxiety. Some are still considering whether to take the buyout and alleviate the suspense about potential future layoffs. (Nearly all USAID staffers have been put on leave, following an announcement on February 7, and more than 400 contractors were laid off a week before.) Others say they won’t be swayed, even amid the stress and threats.

Bracing for further backlash and retaliation as tonight’s deadline passes, employees are sharing around a private document of resources with the names of legal aid organizations, employment rights groups, attorneys, and Congressional contacts.

An employee at the Federal Trade Commission, who also did not want to be named for fear of retaliation, told Fast Company that “a lot of us are terrified of speaking, but we’re bursting at the seams.”

Workers are trying to continue on with business as usual, but the threat of losing their jobs is holding up progress. Sources Fast Company spoke with reported updating their résumés or putting in the bare minimum until it’s clear what will happen after 11:59 p.m. tonight. Some say they’re downloading performance evaluation scores, fearing that they may be illicitly edited to provide grounds for dismissal later on.

Many of those who are refusing to take the “deferred resignation” say they’re doing so in a spirit of defiance. The top post on the Reddit forum r/fednews is a declaration, which has been upvoted 16,000 times, deeming February 6 “Hold the Line Day,” where “each year we will celebrate the federal employees who have dedicated themselves to holding the line by ignoring and rejecting the markedly illegal and harassing emails from [the Office of Personnel Management].”

Commenters write about their resolve in spite of fear and anxiety. “I know it [sic] we’re being pushed down and demoralized right now—but please stay the course,” one poster writes. “It’s so confusing and wrong on so many levels. Don’t quit. You mean a great deal to this country. Your dedication and love for our country will stand the test of time. It’s an extremely sad and confusing time for all of us. No better time than now for all of us to stick together.”

In response to the OPM’s “buyout” offer email, whose subject line was “Fork in the Road,” some federal workers are also adopting spoons as a symbol of defiance.

Getting a job in the private sector isn’t a worry for the federal employees who spoke to Fast Company. In fact, many are confident they can find jobs in the private sector that pay significantly more. But for many who choose to work for the government, that’s not the point. “People who do this work do it because of the mission,” the former contractor says.

The FTC worker says he’s not going to take the buyout because he’s curious to see what it will be like on the other side of the deadline. Moreover, he’s not willing to be intimidated by what he believes are “scare tactics.” “They’re gonna have to shake me off like a tick on a cow’s ass,” he says.