Federal Employees Were Paid $9.5 Billion Not to Work in 2025 Under DOGE Effort
As part of the Department of Government Efficiency’s program to shrink the federal work force, paid administrative leave costs rose by 435 percent.
The Department of Government Efficiency's effort to reduce the federal workforce has led to a significant increase in paid administrative leave costs, with $9.5 billion spent in 2025 on employees not to work. This represents a 435 percent rise in such costs, sparking concerns about the effectiveness and efficiency of the program. The substantial expenditure raises questions about the allocation of taxpayer dollars and whether the program's goals are being met.
The use of paid administrative leave as a strategy to downsize the federal workforce is not new, but the scale of this spending is noteworthy. It suggests that the Department of Government Efficiency may be relying heavily on this approach, which could be seen as a way to avoid more direct and potentially contentious methods of reducing the workforce, such as layoffs or buyouts. The increase in paid leave costs also highlights the challenges of managing a large and complex bureaucracy.
As the federal government continues to grapple with issues of efficiency and effectiveness, this development is likely to draw scrutiny from lawmakers and watchdog groups. To watch next: how the Department of Government Efficiency responds to criticism and whether the agency will adjust its strategy for reducing the federal workforce. Additionally, there may be calls for greater transparency and accountability in the use of paid administrative leave, and whether this approach is ultimately the best way to achieve the desired goals.
Originally reported by nytimes.com. MyNews adds analysis for general news readers.