Buyout on Hold

A U.S. federal judge has put on hold an offer put forward by U.S. President Donald Trump to buyout federal employees. The offer, which the White House says has already been accepted by 65,000 federal workers, is to voluntarily separate from the federal workforce with severance pay until the end of September rather than comply with a return to full in-office schedules. The temporary pause on executing the buyout plan is to remain in effect until a final ruling on the legality of the offer is made.

Analysis and eternal perspective: Nearly five years after “15 days to slow the spread” office closures were announced, many federal offices continue to operate in a hybrid fashion, with employees working partial weeks in the office and the remainder from home. As the new administration seeks a full return to “normal,” many employees (including those who have relocated) will need to make career and family decisions accordingly. The administration argues the buyout offer is a generous way to provide options for those employees, while opponents argue the return to the office mandate goes too far.

As is so often the case, the details of a story like this are easily lost on those of us not directly impacted by them. Even so, both of the following are true: 1) Federal employees are paid by U.S. taxpayer dollars, which elected leaders have a moral obligation to steward wisely, and 2) There is a real-life impact for the families of federal employees—both those changing their daily rhythm and those choosing to leave the federal workforce.

You, like me, can likely relate to the challenge of leaving a job or having a significant change in your employment status. You can hold to (and pray others would, as well) the promise from God to supply all your needs (Philip. 4:19). My prayer for you this week goes one step further, and it is that you, “having all that you need, will abound in every good work” (2 Cor. 9:8).

Your God will provide, and He will do so that you might flourish for the good of others!

The following article originally appeared in Thann’s “The Equipped” Weekly Newsletter. For more information on Thann’s weekly email, click here.