a day ago
EPA employees stream for the exit
More than 1,300 EPA employees are poised to leave the agency in what may be the single largest exodus in its history.
As of Friday morning, 1,334 staffers had followed through on 'early out' offers that require them to start paid administrative leave Monday, according to figures provided by the agency. That number is about half of those who initially applied in April for early retirement as well as a second deferred resignation offer. Employees older than 40 have more time to mull their options.
Those leaving make up more than 8 percent of EPA's current workforce of almost 15,700 employees, which includes about 550 who are already on leave following an earlier deferred resignation offer. The latest wave reportedly includes numerous mid-level and senior managers who will take decades of experience with them as they go out the door.
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'It's a tremendous loss for the agency and for ORD,' said Chris Frey, who served as assistant administrator of the Office of Research and Development during President Joe Biden's administration, adding that he's been 'gobsmacked' at the names of some of those who are exiting.
