Part 3/7:
Understanding the Size of the Federal Workforce
Currently, the U.S. government employs over 3 million individuals, not counting active military personnel, making it the largest employer in the country. To put this in perspective, the Postal Service, if treated as a private entity, would rank among the top ten employers in the nation.
The layoffs and buyout offers began formally on January 28, with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) acting as the agency issuing the notices. The initial deadline of February 6 to accept the buyout was extended to February 10, allowing employees more time amid legal developments.