Emails with the subject line “Fork in the Road” went out last week and include an offer to be paid in full through Sept. 30 for any employee who agrees to resign by Thursday. The effort is designed to trim the federal workforce, particularly hybrid or remote workers who do not want to return to the office.

However, Democrats and unions have told workers to be wary, with Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) saying “don’t be fooled” even while describing the terms as a “sweetheart offer.” The American Federation of Government Employees chimed in, saying, “There’s not yet any evidence the administration can or will uphold its end of the bargain.”

The White House sent out a second email with new information Monday morning, saying the offer will be fully valid for all employees who are scheduled to retire by the end of this year.

“If your retirement date is between Oct. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2025, you are still eligible for deferred resignation,” it says. “If your retirement date is within this window, your deferred resignation date will be extended to match your retirement date.”

The email also says employees can have formal paperwork filled out by their agency outlining the terms of the agreement, again to reassure them that the offer is valid and will be fulfilled.

Another section explains that in the event of a federal government shutdown, pay for employees could be cut or paused regardless of whether they take the resignation offer, and anyone who resigns will receive back pay once the government is back open.

An FAQ section on the Office of Personnel Management website says employees will not have to work during the deferred resignation period, and they can even accept a new job and be paid for both through the end of September.

“We encourage you to find a job in the private sector as soon as you would like to do so,” it says. “The way to greater American prosperity is encouraging people to move from lower productivity jobs in the public sector to higher productivity jobs in the private sector.”

The FAQ also says resigning employees are free to simply relax or visit their “dream destination” while still being paid.

“The federal workforce is expected to undergo significant near-term changes,” it says. “As a result of these changes (or for other reasons), you may wish to depart the federal government on terms that provide you with sufficient time and economic security to plan for your future — and have a nice vacation.”

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said she expects that between 5% and 10% of the federal workforce will accept the offer.