The "Fork in the Road" (or as it is known in my house, the "Fork U") Email

Okay my Fed friends. I saw the "Fork in the Road" email. (https://www.opm.gov/fork)

I started my Fed career (since retired) in HR working employee benefits and I stayed on top of it throughout my career because I was a hiring/firing manager and Chief and Director, so know a little here. I'm telling you what I told my VA employee / military spouse daughter tonight. Her job keeps their household able to have groceries on the table in a high cost of living area (in case you haven't seen enlisted military pay lately). The impacts are great.

I highly suggest BEFORE responding with "Resign" and hitting Send to an email that only says you'll "be paid not to work through September 30, 2025" that you get answers to these questions...

▶️Will my health, vision, and dental insurance continue thru the payment period or what is the cutoff date?

▶️What happens to my retirement contributions -- can I ask for my FERS employee portion back or can I still defer and leave it in case I come back as a Fed later?

▶️What happens to my TSP? Will I still get the auto 1%, matching, and/or auto deductions made? Will contributions still come out of my pay thru September? What if I have a TSP loan?

▶️Will state taxes still be taken out? Same with social security (OSDI) payments?

▶️Will life or long-term care insurance benefits continue during the "deferred resignation" period? Am I still covered or not?

▶️Will I retain my career status with reemployment rights for future Federal positions I might want to apply for down the road?

▶️Will I continue to accrue leave (sick & annual) since I'll technically be in a "paid" status? When will I receive my annual leave pay out?

▶️What happens to my unused sick leave since that's usually counted toward service credit at retirement?

▶️What is the effective date of this resignation if I do select it?

▶️Am I waiving any rights to a future class action suit if I resign?

▶️Am I waiving rights to future Federal employment?

▶️Am I agreeing to any NDA or other agreement in resigning?

▶️How do I outprocess (i.e., turn in equipment, badge, etc.)?

▶️Am I waiving severance payments if I become employed before the payments are complete?

▶️Have I had this reviewed by a trusted LABOR ATTORNEY knowledgeable in Federal labor law?

There's plenty more.

Most career Feds don't know the HR rules very well. That's okay.

But if you don't understand what these questions mean or why it's important to get these answers then you aren't aware of your rights as a Federal employee and you don't know what you might be --& very likely are-- giving up by typing "Resign" and hitting send.

You must get these answers before making this critical decision.

Do NOT act rashly or out of fear.

Don't assume ANYTHING.

Things now may not be as they have always been in the past because this email gave you NONE of these details and NO ASSURANCES. FAQs mean 0.

I standby and support the Federal workforce. 💙 I'm thinking of you all during this time.

Original LinkedIn post is found here: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/shauna-weatherly_okay-my-fed-friends-i-saw-the-fork-in-the-activity-7290358023846346752-_qZt?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAA6vqSABLArM73HgjpmDnYG-5LRTJXgTTYQ

DISCLAIMERS:

CONSULT YOUR AGENCY HR OFFICE OR AN ATTORNEY KNOWLEDGABLE IN FEDERAL EMPLOYEE LAW OR PAY BEFORE MAKING ANY DECISION OR TAKING ANY ACTION THAT IMPACTS OR CHANGES YOUR FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT STATUS.

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