Fork You, Elon.

A follow-up "Fork in the Road" email was sent out to federal workers in an attempt to entice them into "deferred resignation." No one is buying it.

After uploading on-premises DNS servers to the cloud exposing the privacy of federal employees government-wide, then using that to set up HR@opm.gov email accounts to circumvent agency protections and sending out a “deferred resignation” offer called “A Fork in the Road”, Musk and crew have sent out a follow-up email denigrating public sector workers and encouraging them to accept their magnanimous offer.

A few days ago, I wrote about the smear campaign against federal workers initiated by the Trump administration, and that continues in this latest Fork in the Road FAQ email:

We have received a number of questions regarding the deferred resignation program. Below are our top FAQs:

Q:Am I expected to work at my government job during the deferred resignation period?

A:No.

Q:Am I allowed to get a second job during the deferred resignation period?

A:Absolutely! We encourage you to find a job in the private sector as soon as you would like to do so. The way to greater American prosperity is encouraging people to move from lower productivity jobs in the public sector to higher productivity jobs in the private sector.

Q:Will I really get my full pay and benefits during the entire period through September 30, even if I get a second job?

A:Yes. You will also accrue further personal leave days, vacation days, etc. and be paid out for unused leave at your final resignation date.

Q:Can I take an extended vacation while on administrative leave?

A:You are most welcome stay at home and relax or to travel to your dream destination. Whatever you would like.

Reminder that the deferred resignation program is available until Thursday, February 6.

Additional FAQ’s and instructions on accepting deferred resignation can be found on the OPM website by navigating to “Fork” from the top menu.

Did you catch the part where Elon Musk (who I assume wrote this) calls the hard working federal civil servant jobs “low productivity” and reassures people they can take a second job during the pendency of their deferment?

Not for nothing, but when I was on paid leave waiting to be fired from my federal government job during Trump’s first term, I was investigated for hosting a podcast during that time.

Additionally, agencies don’t have funding guarantees past March 14th. Professor emeritus at the Maryland School of Public Policy Donald Kettl wrote "Congress has the power of the purse. The power of the executive to spend money is limited by the appropriations approved by Congress and signed by the president. The executive branch cannot legally now obligate the government to make payments past March 14. An offer for paid leave past that point is unlawful.”

It’s unlawful because it violated the Anti-deficiency Act, which states "no officer or employee of the Government may create or authorize an obligation in excess of the funds available, or in advance of appropriations unless otherwise authorized by law."

In the meantime, several agency heads are sending emails to employees saying that the offer is valid, lawful, and will be honored by the agency. That’s patently false. On top of the March 14th funding problem, many agencies have ethics rules disallowing a second job in unless approved in advance.

One of the largest unions for federal workers - the NTEU - sent the following notice regarding the Fork FAQ email:

FORK UPDATE (they bolded the F and the U, which I thought was a nice touch)

Another message has been sent directly to the federal workforce from the OPM group behind "the fork in the road" messaging, titled "FORK IN THE ROAD FAQS".

The message is written to entice you to leave your career behind by resigning in return for vague promises with NO GUARANTEES. The intent behind this offer is so they can achieve their stated goal of removing 10 percent or more of the federal workforce without any regard for the important work you do or the services you provide. Think about that. They don't even try to hide their disdain for you by making outright false and condescending statements. How dare they suggest that your career equates to "lower productivity jobs" or suggest that you "stay at home and relax." As they are falsely attacking employees who have for decades delivered for the American people while teleworking, they are now saying they will pay them to NOT work for months. Does that make any sense to you?

The responses to the FAQs are written to sell you on this offer. These statements do not reflect reality and are an insult to the highly skilled, and experienced workforce, vital to the functioning of all federal agencies. The guidance provided is questionable at best and possibly violates the rules of conduct that federal employees are required to follow.

Don't be fooled. Don't follow this OPM group's guidance.

DO NOT RESIGN.

#STANDSTRONGTOGETHERNTEU

~AG

Source.