Dozens of Education Department employees who attended a diversity training course encouraged by former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos during President Donald Trump’s first administration have been placed on paid leave as part of Trump’s targeting of DEI programs, according to a union official. At least 55 employees were placed on leave, including public affairs specialists, civil rights attorneys, program managers, loan regulators, and employees ensuring special needs children receive necessary accommodations. Employees were told they would continue to receive their full salaries and benefits but would not be expected to work or come into the office, with email access suspended.
Concerns have been raised that employees who took the training are being entrapped, as they were encouraged to participate in the program and are now being placed on leave based on their participation. The move is seen as an attempt to intimidate employees into resigning as Trump has expressed a desire to eliminate the Department of Education. Additionally, employees have been given the option to resign and receive eight months of salary and benefits.
It is believed that hundreds of employees attended the Diversity Change Agent trainings, with the Department of Education having a goal of training 400 employees under the program. A civil rights lawyer representing one of the affected employees stated that his client, a veteran and former prosecutor, was appointed to a diversity and inclusion council during Trump’s first term and is confused about being placed on leave.
Similar actions have been taken at the Department of Energy, with employees who did not work in specific DEI roles also being placed on paid leave. Anger and concern have been expressed by employees who fear losing their jobs. The Education Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the situation.
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