Over 100,000 Federal Employees Leave Their Jobs! US Government Shutdown Coupled with Layoff Plan Leaves Federal Employees "Trembling with Fear"

　　Amid the US federal government shutdown, a massive wave of federal employee departures has also occurred, with over 100,000 federal employees officially leaving their government positions on October 1st local time.

　　This is unrelated to the US government shutdown but is the result of a layoff buyout plan (also known as the Delayed Resignation Program, DRP) previously advanced by the US Department of Government Efficiency. Launched in January this year, the DRP required federal government staff to decide on resignation by February 6th. Employees accepting the buyout could transition some work and enjoy administrative leave for up to approximately eight months. The US Office of Personnel Management (OPM) stated that approximately 154,000 federal employees accepted this plan, with most ending their work on September 30th and others leaving before the end of the year.

　　Simultaneously, with the US government shutdown, federal employees still in their roles face new layoff threats. The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a memorandum last week, directing agencies to prepare permanent layoff plans for employees in projects whose funding expires on October 1st, lack external funding sources, and are "not aligned with presidential priorities," in the event of a potential government shutdown.

　　On September 30th, Ms. Wen, employed in a benefits department of the US federal government, told a First Financial reporter that if the government shuts down, she still has to work normally, stating, "Postal services, benefits, airports, defense, and border security cannot stop." Ms. Wen also mentioned she has worked in US government departments for 17 years and has experienced multiple government shutdowns, adding, "The biggest difference this time is that some people might be laid off."

　　A report released by the US Congressional Budget Office on September 30th stated that a government shutdown could lead to as many as 750,000 federal employees leaving their posts daily, with their total daily pay amounting to approximately $400 million.