Title: Maximizing Departures of DEI Employees Under Legal Limitations: The Trump Administration's Approach
The current situation regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) employees and programs within federal agencies, as directed by the Trump administration, is as follows:
Friday saw the Trump administration delivering a clear message to all department, agency, and commission heads. The objective was to promptly terminate federal DEI employees and programs to the fullest extent allowed by law. This message was conveyed via an Office of Personnel Management (OPM) memo, which sped up the timeline and made firing DEI employees the main goal.
Instead of sticking to the previously established deadline of January 31 for submission of reduction-in-force plans, OPM directed agencies to immediately issue reduction-in-force (layoff) notices. The latest OPM memo stated that each agency, department, or commission should strive to eliminate all DEI, DEIA, and "environmental justice" offices and positions within 60 days.
The past week has seen conflicting messaging regarding DEI employees in two separate memos distributed by OPM. The first memo, on Wednesday, informed DEI employees they would receive paid administrative leave until January 31. The second memo, on Friday, conveyed that departments should initiate layoffs as early as January 24. This abrupt shift in tactics has likely left DEI employees unsure about their roles and standing within the federal government.
While President Trump has the authority to make decisions relating to the government, a structured and consistent approach to change management would prove more effective in this situation. This would ensure clear and strategic communication protocols, reducing confusion and uneasiness among employees.
Enrichment Insights:- On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed two executive orders targeting DEI programs in the federal government, recognizing only two sexes, and focusing on the DEI efforts of federal contractors.- All DEI-related federal employees were placed on indefinite paid leave from January 22, 2025, and the OPM issued a memo instructing agencies to shut down all DEIA offices and requiring reduction-in-force plans by January 24, 2025.- The executive orders mandate the termination of federal government DEI mandates, policies, programs, and preferences within 60 days.- The Trump administration has reaffirmed its stance that the federal government will only recognize two sexes—male and female—and will prioritize enforcement efforts on protecting single-sex spaces.
Following the Trump administration's directive, federal agencies were instructed to expedite the termination of all DEI employees and programs, as stated in the OPM memo. Despite some initial assurances of paid administrative leave, a subsequent memo urged early layoffs for some DEI employees.
In light of the Trump administration's executive orders, all DEI-related federal employees were placed on indefinite paid leave, and a memo was issued for the closure of DEIA offices and the submission of reduction-in-force plans.
