Washington: The US Department of Defense announced plans to reduce its workforce by at least 5,400 employees beginning next week. The department stated that this decision aligns with efforts to improve efficiency and align with the President's priorities and readiness goals.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the Pentagon anticipates a reduction of 5-8 percent in its civilian workforce. The initial phase will involve the release of approximately 5,400 probationary workers. Following this, the department plans to implement a hiring freeze while assessing personnel needs and ensuring compliance with applicable laws. This move is part of a broader initiative to reform the Federal workforce for maximum efficiency and productivity.
The re-evaluation of probationary employees is a government-wide effort, not limited to the Defense Department. The Pentagon emphasized the importance of the program's goals and the careful execution of the review by its leaders. The department underscored the necessity of retaining only those individuals whose roles are deemed mission-critical, highlighting the need to eliminate redundancies in the interest of taxpayers.
The Department of Defense assured that the affected workers will be treated with dignity and respect, acknowledging their commitment to national defense.