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On April 30, 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture saw over 15,000 employees, roughly 15% of its workforce, accept voluntary buyout offers. The USDA’s staff exodus marks one of the largest mass resignations in recent history. These employee departures, driven by financial incentives, have raised concerns over the stability of crucial services such as food, safety, rural development and agricultural research. For HR leaders, the USDA voluntary buyouts offer an insightful case study on the risks of poorly managed downsiz
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ng. The USDA is currently made up of 29 agencies and offices with nearly 100,000 employees who serve at more than