Hundreds of federal employees in the United States, who lost their positions through cost-cutting measures initiated by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), are being asked to return to work. The General Services Administration (GSA) has given these employees until the end of this week to accept or decline their reinstatement, with a return date set for October 6. This decision comes after a seven-month period during which many employees remained paid but inactive, while the GSA incurred significant costs related to maintaining leased properties.

Chad Becker, a former GSA real estate official, noted that the agency became “broken and understaffed” after these layoffs and has struggled to function effectively. The return-to-work request aligns with similar rehiring efforts at other agencies, such as the IRS and the National Park Service, that also initiated layoffs under DOGE’s aggressive downsizing strategy.

Democrats, including Rep. Greg Stanton, criticize the Trump administration’s indiscriminate job cuts, claiming they have caused confusion and undermined essential services. The GSA, which oversees federal workspaces, has been scrutinized for its drastic measures, with the Government Accountability Office currently investigating its workforce management and lease cancellations.



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