Education Department Employees Placed on Leave After Participating in Diversity Training, Union Official Claims
A letter to affected employees reveals they will remain on paid leave without work-related tasks, as concerns grow over Trump’s crackdown on DEI programs.
Paid Leave for Education Employees Following Diversity Training
Dozens of U.S. Department of Education employees who attended a diversity training program encouraged during President Donald Trump’s first term have been placed on paid leave, according to a union official. The move comes amid a broader effort by Trump’s administration to target diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs within federal agencies.
Sheria Smith, president of American Federation of Government Employees Local 252, which represents Education Department staff, confirmed that at least 55 employees have been placed on leave as of Friday. The union expects this number to rise as additional information becomes available.
The affected employees include public affairs specialists, civil rights attorneys, program managers, loan regulators, and those working with special needs children in schools. A letter obtained by NBC News, addressed to the affected workers, stated that they would continue to receive full salaries and benefits but would not be expected to perform any work-related tasks or report to the office during their leave. Their email access was also suspended.
Smith described the situation as potentially entrapment, suggesting that employees were encouraged to take the diversity training and are now being penalized for it. She expressed concerns that the administration is attempting to force employees to resign by offering incentives, such as up to eight months' salary, or face termination.
Training Initiative Was Encouraged by the Trump Administration
In 2019, the Education Department, under the Trump administration, promoted a "Diversity Change Agent" training program. The initiative aimed to equip staff with skills to lead a diverse workforce and included a call for 400 employees to complete the course. An email sent to employees at the time emphasized the importance of the program, stating that graduates would help improve the Department's ability to attract and retain a diverse workforce.
Despite being encouraged by the administration, employees who participated in the program are now facing the consequences of the recent crackdown on DEI initiatives. Subodh Chandra, a civil rights lawyer representing one of the affected employees, explained that his client, a veteran, had no involvement in DEI programs and was simply appointed to a committee by Trump’s political appointees. The employee, Chandra said, was confused and troubled by the decision to place him on leave.
The Impact of Trump’s Executive Orders on DEI Programs
Smith and Brittany Holder, a spokeswoman for the American Federation of Government Employees, stated that a number of employees in various roles unrelated to DEI are being placed on leave due to their involvement in diversity training. At least 14 employees at the Department of Energy have also been affected by similar actions, with only a few in official DEI positions.
Holder emphasized the growing concern among employees, who fear job loss and are growing increasingly anxious as the number of those placed on leave continues to rise. “People are worried and angry,” she said, adding that the shift is creating an atmosphere of fear among federal workers.
As of now, a spokesperson for the Education Department has not provided a comment on the issue. The union remains actively engaged in supporting the affected employees and plans to address their concerns in the coming weeks.