VA to Cut 30,000 Jobs Through Voluntary Departures, Avoiding Layoffs

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) anticipates a reduction of its workforce by 30,000 positions via voluntary retirements and resignations by the end of September, successfully sidestepping earlier discussions about mandatory layoffs.

On Monday, VA Secretary Doug Collins announced that the reductions, affecting approximately 6% of the agency's nearly 484,000 employees, are part of a larger initiative aimed at enhancing operations and services for veterans.

Retirements, deferred resignations, attrition, and hiring freezes have left around 17,000 positions open so far this year. Authorities foresee the elimination of an additional 12,000 jobs soon. Department leaders have confirmed that, with the downsizing now aligned with federal workforce reduction goals, they are no longer moving forward with a Reduction in Force (RIF) process.

“The organization is making progress—both regarding personnel and service quality,” stated Collins. He highlighted that the internal review conducted by the department since March has resulted in “new ideas for better serving veterans,” while stressing that over 350,000 positions essential for direct care and benefits continue to be exempt from federal hiring freezes.

The VA is set to reorganize overlapping administrative positions and is evaluating the possibility of merging some of its 274 call centers to enhance operational efficiency. Despite the administration's claims of improved efficiency in benefits processing and health care services, detractors caution that the reduction in staff is starting to have adverse effects on veterans, particularly in critical logistical functions such as appointment scheduling and supply distribution.

Democratic lawmakers and union leaders contend that the cuts are hasty, pointing to an increasing need for medical and benefit services.

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