The Education Department is offering a $25,000 buyout to employees who resign by Monday before major job cuts occur.

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The U.S. Department of Education is offering employees up to $25,000 if they choose to leave their jobs by Monday at 11:59 p.m.

This one-time offer is part of a plan to reduce the workforce before more significant job cuts occur.

The announcement was made in an email sent by Jacqueline Clay, the department’s Chief Human Capital Officer, on Friday afternoon.

She mentioned that this decision comes ahead of a significant reduction in staff at the department.

Who Can Take the Buyout?

Most employees are eligible to receive the buyout package.

Those who accept it can also combine it with their retirement benefits.

The department will pay either $25,000 or the amount of severance pay an employee qualifies for, whichever is lower.

However, some employees are not eligible for the buyout. This includes:

Those receiving disability retirement benefits
Employees who got a student loan repayment benefit in the last three years
Employees who received a retention bonus in the past year

If an employee takes the offer, their departure will be official by March 31.

Why Is This Happening?

The federal government is planning to cut jobs across several agencies.

Last Wednesday, the Office of Management and Budget and the Office of Personnel Management asked all agencies to submit plans for job reductions by March 13.

This move is part of a more significant effort to reorganize government departments and reduce costs.

What Should Employees Do?

The decision to take the buyout is not easy.

For employees close to retirement or thinking about changing careers, the $25,000 offer might be a good opportunity.

However, for others, leaving their job now might feel risky.

Since the department is planning more job cuts, those who don’t take the offer may still lose their jobs later.

However, they would not get the $25,000 incentive if laid off.

What is Next?

The Education Department will release more details about its reorganization plan by March 13.

Until then, employees must decide whether to accept the buyout or wait for further changes.

Education officials, government workers, and policymakers are closely watching this situation to see how it will affect employees and education programs.