After using incentives like VERAs, VSIPs, and deferred resignations, to cut 10,000 federal workers, the department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is now planning to use RIFs and layoffs to cut another 10,000 beginning May 27.
If you’re an employee with HHS, or any federal employee worried about RIFs and layoffs in your own agency, read through to see some examples of possible ways you could respond to these rapid changes.
Keep in mind, these tips could apply to other federal employees too – not just those at HHS.
Example 1 – Bump to a Lower Ranking Role
Sarah is a supervisory analyst for HHS, and she likes working for the federal government. She doesn’t want to leave her job anytime soon, but she doesn’t want to risk getting let go due to a RIF or layoff.
After learning about the new cuts, she asked to be bumped down to a lower ranking role she held in the past. This could help protect her job as higher earning jobs are sometimes targeted first.
For more info about things you can do if you want to avoid a RIF and stay employed in the federal government, check out our FAQ on RIFs.
Example 2 – Immediate Retirement
Mark is an accountant for HHS. He’s already reached his retirement age, but had not planned to retire yet. After the announcement of the RIF, Mark decided to retire now so a separation wouldn’t damage his retirement benefits.
Example 3 – Early Optional Retirement
Maria is a case worker for HHS. After hearing about the job cuts, she did some research and found out that she had met the qualifications for an Early Optional Retirement. She’d already met her minimum retirement age, and she had 10 years of service under FERS. Now, Maria can retire early without having to worry about her job being eliminated with a RIF.
If you’d like to learn more about if you’d qualify for an Early Optional Retirement, watch our webinar about federal retirement options.
Example 4 – Federal Disability Retirement
Peter is a healthcare administrator for HHS, and over the past few years, his degenerative disc disease has gotten so bad that his doctor has restricted him from sitting or standing for long periods of time. Since this hinders his job performance, he’s been placed in a light duty status where he can’t get all of his duties done.
When the job cuts were announced, Peter found out about Federal Disability Retirement.
Since his doctors gave him restrictions, and HHS wasn’t able to give him an accommodation to let him do his full job, Peter has a strong case for Disability Retirement, which will:
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- Let him retire now and get monthly checks
- Allow him to keep his benefits
- Let him continue growing his pension until he hits 62
- Allow him to get a job in the private sector that lines up with his medical needs
By securing this benefit, Peter is able to protect himself from the prospect of his job and benefits being eliminated while he struggles with a health condition.
Don’t wait – Stay ahead of layoffs
We’ve helped over 10,000 federal workers secure Federal Disability Retirement, and we have 20+ years of experience dealing with the OPM.
We understand it might feel like you don’t have options, but there are ways you can act now before it’s too late.
This new RIF doesn’t have to have the last say on your career.
If you have more questions about how you can secure your future, give our office a call and we’ll set you up for a free consultation.
