Some pics from the Hands Off gathering!

On Friday, my agency notified employees that the RIF process has started. On Saturday, a DRF 2.0 email was sent to employees. A VERA is being authorized.

I have 23 years of service. I am 52. My understanding is that I am not eligible for severance pay since a VERA was authorized. Even if I don't want to take the VERA at this time, I would not be eligible for severance pay, right? Does anyone know the definitive answer? It is hard to get answers at my agency. Everyone seems apprehensive about communicating.

Is there any benefit to working 25 years vs 23 years other than the pension amount increasing slightly. My MRA is 57 but to reach my unreduced pension, I would need to make it to age 58. This is really a sad time for me and really all of us. I really love my job. I was considering working until 67 (if I was keeping up with all of the changes ie tech, policies, etc). Other jobs outside the government but near my home do not offer equivalent pay or benefits. Working on my Plan B, C, and D. Sigh.

Sending my respect to those Fighting and Showing up you are all very Brave. Plus fighting for those who couldn’t make it over 10,000 protestors showed up and maybe more. You all inspire us so keep up the good fight for our Jobs the Country and everything else you stand for!

I’ve seen many questions on here about who’s eligible for DRP, so here’s the recent memo prompting the DRP 2. I don’t know if they’re working on a new contract and updated FAQs, but I included an example of the DRP contract and FAQs when the initial DRP was offered. I don’t think there should be a huge difference between DRP 1 & 2 but hopefully the information on these documents helps answer a lot of your questions. Remember, everyone’s personal situation is different and everyone’s time & type of career also differs so there’s not a one size fits all answer that’ll suit everyone. Best of luck to all and if nothing else, go with your gut and what’s best for you and your family once you have the answers you need to make a decision.

I know everybody is stressed right now. It’s new changes everyday and you never know what comes next… it is driving me crazy if I should take the DRP. Please give advice based on situation, seriously.

If anyone is taking it, how do you apply for it? I’m with DoD. Is the written resignation letter basically signing up for it? Do you state that in the letter?

I’m only worried about since the job market is horrible but i am no longer happy in my job anymore. At the same time, when there’s a RIF and if I get RIF’d then it’s the same. To me it is a lose lose situation anyway.

Any advice? Who is taking the DRP 2.0? Has anyone heard anything? Thanks!

Sharing that if you decide to participate in either of these 2 programs, the administration is requiring you to sign an agreement. There is no work around. If you choose not to sign the agreement you get removed from participating in these programs. And until you sign the agreement, you are still subject to the RIF. So please do not take too much time in deciding to sign the agreement if you sign up. Best of luck to all my fellow federal colleagues in whatever you decide to do.

AFGE showed up for you yesterday. Hands off science! Hands off federal workers!!!!!!!

Greetings folks. I wrote a colorful new set of lyrics to the tune of “She’ll Be Comin’ ‘Round the Mountain,” in prep for the protests on 4/5 and beyond. I want to help keep the message “disobey illegal orders” stuck in everyone’s minds, help people remember they’re not alone, and that authoritarianism doesn’t work if the orders are never carried out. Plus you don’t have to be an expert singer to carry this tune. Have fun and spread joy!

Here goes. It includes raunchy stuff—probably ought to make a second, family-friendly version. But the original 10 verses:

To the tune of “She’ll be Coming Round the Mountain”

🎵 1. When the order is illegal, disobey (Disobey!) When the order is illegal, disobey (Disobey!) When the order is illegal Don’t just be a pliant beagle When the order is illegal, disobey! (Disobey!)

1. When the boss is unelected, disobey (Disobey!) When the boss is unelected, disobey (Disobey!) When the boss is unelected And says your job’s unprotected Tell him his cars are defective. Disobey! (Disobey!)

2. If the Muskrat RIFs* your people, disobey (Disobey!) If the Muskrat RIFs your people, disobey (Disobey!) If retire you don’t wanna Tell him “Go back home to Tshwane”** If the Muskrat RIFs your people, disobey! (Disobey!)

3. When the crook says “stop the payments” disobey. (Disobey!) When the crook says “stop the payments” disobey. (Disobey!) When the crook says “stop the payments” Think of all his lawsuit claimants When the crook says “stop the payments” disobey (Disobey!)

4. When he says to whitewash hist’ry disobey (Disobey!) When he says to whitewash hist’ry disobey (Disobey!) It’s no wonder, it’s no myst’ry, Everyone’s a part of hist’ry If you love both Truth and Country disobey! (Disobey!)

5. If the orders say to censor, disobey. (Disobey) If the orders say to censor, disobey (disobey) If you say you love your freedom Don’t ban books, instead just read ‘em Or you always could just leave ‘em. Disobey! (Disobey!)

6. If your orders are to kidnap, disobey (Disobey) If your orders are to kidnap, disobey (Disobey) Speech and assembly give us freedom So protect ‘em—we all need ‘em Donny uses goons to cheat ‘em. Disobey! (Disobey!)

7. If you believe his lies no longer, disobey (Disobey) If you believe his lies no longer disobey (Disobey) Don’t engage in insurrection Just cause he can’t get erections The Constitution needs protection. Disobey! (Disobey!)

8. If they say you’re out of order, disobey. (Disobey!) If they say you’re out of order, disobey. (Disobey!) If they say you’re out of order, Then just what were you elected for? So make your voice like thunder. Disobey! (Disobey!)

BONUS VERSE FOR CANADIANS (9a.) Don’t treat our country like a doormat—disobey! (Disobey!) Don’t treat our country like a doormat—disobey! (Disobey!) In 1812 we won the last spat. Geez, I thought that we were past that! Don’t take orders from that asshat—disobey! (Disobey!)

FINAL VERSE 🎵 10. When the order is illegal disobey (Disobey!) When the order is illegal disobey (Disobey!) He’s a tyrant, he’s a felon, We’re not buyin’ what he’s sellin’ Tell him fuck right off to hell and Disobey! (DISOBEY!)

(* RIF = reduction in force. U.S. federal government term for mass layoff of federal workers)

(**Tshwane is the Setswana name for Pretoria, South Africa, Elon Musk’s home town. White supremacists from there would likely hate hearing it referred to that way)

Hope you found this useful, or at least amusing. Please have fun with it and consider singing it (or your own versions of it) at protests.

“Treasury is offering a second and final Deferred Resignation Program (DRP 2.0) with applications accepted between Monday, April 7, 2025, through April 14, 2025. This program will mirror the benefits of the first offering including paid administrative leave through September 30, 2025. Employees electing the program will offboard no later than September 30, 2025, unless they choose to offboard sooner.”

So are the Probationary Period Employees being Reinstated just to be legally fired this time? What’s the deal with that. Plus updating our resumes based on our job qualifications? I’m pretty sure most of us Attended a Hiring Event and got hired for our roles based off our resume right?

I’m a treasury employee who is considering the deferred resignation offered through my department. I’m at risk for the RIFs. If I took the offer, I would pass 3 years of service. I’m wondering if this is a correct assumption. Does the time I would be on admin leave count towards my service length?

Revenue Agent here. Been told to return to duty April 14. I hear other agencies are offering the deferred resignation again. So far I haven't seen it from the IRS...I just hear rumors that they will.

Has anyone else heard anything about the IRS offering the deferred resignation again?

Does anyone know what the plan is for civil rights offices? Project 2025 is implying an overhaul of an interpretation of the laws but not exactly abolish them. Anyone have any direct insight on this?

What's the news with SSA? Do they plan to do a DRP 2.0 like other agencies?

Curious what happens to people who eligible to retire. Can they be RIF’d as well.