The US health department has informed employees that they have the option to apply for early retirement over the next ten days. In addition, employees have been requested to provide information on their accomplishments of the past week. Republican President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, who oversees the “department of government efficiency,” are leading a significant effort to reduce the size of the federal bureaucracy, including through job cuts. The Department of Health and Human Services has received authorization from the US office of personnel management to offer early retirement under the voluntary early retirement authority. This authority affects agencies undergoing substantial restructuring, reshaping, downsizing, transfer of function, or reorganization. An HHS spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. Eligible employees must be at least 50 years old with 20 years of federal service or any age with 25 years of service. The offer is valid until 14 March at 5 PM ET. Last week, the administration sent a second round of emails asking employees to share their accomplishments from the past week. HHS employees have been instructed to respond to Doge’s email by midnight, without revealing sensitive information. HHS previously warned employees that responses may be read by malicious foreign actors. The National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), which represents HHS workers, has instructed members to follow the agency’s instructions. Employees are also advised to follow supervisor guidance on how to reply without compromising sensitive information. An FDA source expressed concerns about the efficiency of this new initiative, as employees will have to spend time crafting responses that meet the required standards. Employees on leave, out of office due to work schedules, or who have signed a deferred resignation agreement are not required to respond.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/03/us-health-department-cuts