Federal Resignation Program Sees Participation from 75,000 Employees as Deadline Closes

The Deferred Resignation Program, which concluded its enrollment on Wednesday, has garnered significant interest from federal employees, with approximately 75,000 participants accepting the offer. This figure comes in light of a recent ruling by U.S. District Judge George A. O’Toole Jr., who lifted a temporary pause on the program, allowing it to move forward despite legal challenges from unions.

The program, administered by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), was designed to provide federal employees with the opportunity to resign while still receiving pay through September. McLaurine Pinover, an OPM spokesperson, confirmed the number of employees who accepted the resignation deal, stating, "As of 7:00 PM tonight, the program is now closed."

Initially, the administration anticipated that between 5% and 10% of the federal workforce would take advantage of this offer. However, the final participation rate was less than 5%, falling short of expectations. The attrition rate for the federal workforce during fiscal year 2023 was reported at 5.9% by the Partnership for Public Service, indicating a broader context in which this program operated.

Judge O'Toole's decision to allow the program to proceed came after he ruled that the unions lacked the necessary legal standing to challenge it. He affirmed that the Deferred Resignation Program was both legal and beneficial for federal employees seeking to transition out of their roles. Following the ruling, OPM expressed satisfaction with the outcome.

"We are pleased the court has rejected a desperate effort to strike down the Deferred Resignation Program."
— McLaurine Pinover, OPM spokesperson

Despite the court's support and the program's completion, NBC News has noted that it cannot independently verify the total number of employees who opted for the resignation offer. The mixed employee response suggests varied perspectives among federal workers regarding their employment and future career paths.

As federal agencies continue to navigate workforce transitions, this program reflects broader efforts to manage personnel changes within government structures. The low acceptance rate raises questions about employee satisfaction and retention in federal roles.