"at or past their retirement period"? What do you mean by that? Is it an age based thing or what?
I see it a bit both ways - there's no doubt in my mind, we've had people retire that we could barely afford to lose - years ago, we had a massive business system whose intricacies were largely designed by one man, even though he was lead programmer of an entire team. When he retired - past the "normal" retirement age - they pleaded with him to consult part-time because his expertise was highly desired.
This past "fork in the road" also saw the departure of someone who sorely needed to go. I've described her on here many times as possibly the stupidest person I have ever worked with. She was one of those people who used the union to protect her job, and she knew the rules well enough to keep going in to work and accomplishing - well - nothing. We gave her busy work, because we'd given up trying to fire her.
We certainly see it differently, what I see as targeted are those that don't want to return to the office and those that might not even exist. Thus a hatchet is what is needed for them.
And again - I see two different things. I work with two people who were hired during the pandemic and have never set foot in HQ, as they remote in from Atlanta and Nashville. They're beyond brilliant. My immediate supervisor remoted in from Pittsburgh - and he retired last year since it was made clear to him, he'd have to do what he used to do - drive down during the week, work everyday while renting nearby - and go home to his family. Since we were always very good friends, I STILL call him on the phone to ask about stuff, later.
And yeah - there are also people for whom 'coming in to the office' doesn't mean a four hour drive from Pittsburgh but a 15 minute drive from Upper Marlboro - and they don't want to be bothered - and they can easily afford to retire.
I think there are other ways to get rid of the dross - and that is performance based, the same way it is - or should be - in the private sector. And THIS is something SORELY NEEDED at the federal government. My "stupidest" co-worker, mentioned above? Should have been fired 30 years ago. The guy grabbing asses and using racist remarks in meetings? Ditto.
I don't think it's possible there could be all that many "fake" emails. I do think it's possible there are people who put in so little effort, they barely know about the email. I just don't think a nationally advertised five bullet thing is going to "catch" them. Ultimately, a system which kicks out non-performers consistently would have dismissed these people decades ago.
