The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services increased its voluntary buyout offer for some employees for further layoffs this week as the agency faces pressure to reduce headcount, according to an email viewed by Bloomberg.
In addition to a $25,000 lump-sum buyout offer, some HHS workers would also receive around two months of paid administrative leave if they chose to accept the buyout.
Related: Layoffs at HHS spark concern from providers
The more generous offer comes as agencies were directed in an executive order to submit plans for further layoffs by March 13, which is the day before a government funding deadline. HHS has laid off thousands of employees who had been in their roles for less than one or two years over the past month, some of whom were rehired.
“You will be carried in an administrative leave status, receiving full pay and benefits for eight (8) weeks after you are approved. This is in addition to the lump sum payment,” the email states.
HHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The buyout offer was available to employees this week, and expires Friday. The original buyout offer was extended to a “broad population of HHS employees,” according to an email. However, the Food and Drug Administration told staff Monday that employees responsible for reviewing drugs, medical devices and tobacco products aren’t eligible for the buyout program.
The HHS buyout offers are in addition to an early retirement program that relaxed service requirements for retirement.
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