US education department offers buyout that employees call ‘beyond misleading’

Email offers up to $25,000 but employees note severance and unused leave compensation would add up to more

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The US Department of Education sent an email to employees department-wide on Friday offering up to $25,000 to voluntarily resign or retire, or take severance, whichever is less.

The email, obtained by the Guardian, states this is a one-time offer in advance of a very significant Reduction In Force for the US Department of Education" and gives employees until the end of day Monday to accept.