Title: Suspension of Email Access and Paid Leave for Federal DEI Employees
By the close of business on Wednesday, all diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices within the federal government will be shut down. Consequently, federally assigned DEI employees will have their email access temporarily suspended and be granted paid time off until the Trump administration makes decisions regarding potential layoffs and alternative placements.
Per President Trump's executive order, signed on Monday, the objective is to "End Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing." The order mandates the termination of discriminatory programs, including illegal DEI initiatives, and policies that promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA).
Following the executive order, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) director issued guidance and instructions for government heads and acting heads to shut down their respective DEI offices, place employees on paid leave, and disable email access for these individuals.
DEI Workers and Email Suspension
One primary concern among department heads is communicating with DEI employees that this undertaking is not disciplinary in nature, even though suspending email access will create a sense of disciple. By Wednesday, federal DEI employees will forfeit email access at 5 p.m. EST. After being notified that all DEI offices will cease operations immediately, they will be notified of their placement on paid administrative leave and subsequent email suspension.
The sudden suspension of email access, while informing employees of non-disciplinary actions, may instigate confusion and emotional distress. This might raise questions about why their email access is being revoked if they are not being terminated.
Timeline for DEI Office Closures
By January 22, 2025, at 5 p.m. EST:1. Distribute a department or agency-wide notice informing everyone that all DEI offices are closing.2. Request information from employees about any attempts or suspicions of concealing DEI programs using "coded or imprecise language."3. Notify all DEI employees of their immediate placement on paid administrative leave and that their email access will be suspended.4. Remove all outward-facing DEI media, including electronic, digital, and print materials.5. Cancel all trainings, events, meetings, or sessions related to DEI.6. Terminate all DEI contractors.
By January 23, 2025, at 12 p.m. EST:1. Report all actions taken the previous day (January 22) to OPM.2. Provide a list of all DEI offices and their respective employees.3. Share a complete listing of all DEI contracts with OPM.4. Assure OPM about your department or agency's compliance with President Trump's executive order.
By January 31, 2025, at 5 p.m. EST:1. Provide OPM with a written reduction-in-force (layoff) action plan for DEI employees.2. Offer descriptions of contracts or personnel positions that were adjusted post-November 5, 2024, to obscure their ties to DEI initiatives.
Key Points of Communication with DEI Employees
After informing employees that their DEI offices will be closed, make sure to convey the following:1. Employees will commence paid administrative leave immediately.2. These actions are not disciplinary.3. Employees will continue to receive their full salary and benefits during the entirety of their leave.4. Employees are not obligated to perform any work-related tasks during their leave.5. Employees are not expected to appear in the offices.6. Employee email access will be disabled.7. Provide updated contact information.8. Employees will be updated as new developments arise.
Wednesday will likely present numerous challenges for many executives, supervisors, and managers as they navigate the turbulent change process. They will have to cope with their own emotions as well as their employees' reactions. Employees, particularly DEI workers, will struggle as well but will not be the only ones affected by this reshaping. The forthcoming changes may impact various departments within the federal government.
In light of the executive order, federal DEI employees, including Trump's appointees, will experience a temporary email suspension along with a placement on paid leave until the Administration decides on potential layoffs or alternative placements. The Trump administration's objective, as stated in the executive order, is to abolish radical and wasteful DEI programs within federal agencies.
