The Department of Veterans Affairs is implementing an exemption for approximately 200,000 essential workers who are not eligible for the 'buyout' program designed to reduce the federal workforce.
Exemption of Vital Positions
The Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer at the Veterans Affairs Department has issued guidelines on the deferred resignation program, highlighting a list of 'excluded positions.' This list comprises critical roles such as primary care physicians, nurses, psychologists, and other medical specialists, totaling over 140 occupations.
Collaboration with White House
Collaborating with the White House and the Office of Personnel Management, the VA identified more than 130 occupations that do not qualify for the Deferred Resignation Program. As a result, more than 200,000 workers are no longer eligible for deferred resignations.
Challenges and Confusion
The recent exceptions have led to confusion within the agency regarding eligibility for the offer. Employees were instructed to continue working until their status was confirmed by their supervisors, despite opting for deferred resignations.
Staffing Shortages
Highlighting existing staffing challenges, the Veterans Affairs Department reported nearly 3,000 severe occupational staffing shortages in its health facilities in the previous fiscal year. The agency has faced a chronic shortage of nurses and psychologists over the past decade.
Legal Challenge and Extended Deadline
While the Trump administration initially set a deadline for federal workers to accept the offer, a recent legal challenge has resulted in an extension. The new deadline for workers to opt into the deferred resignation program is Monday at 11:59 pm.
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