The Education Department sent out an email to staffers on Friday saying if they quit by Monday at midnight they will receive a $25,000 cash payout.
A department official confirmed the email, which warned of significant layoffs in the near future, to The Hill.
The email, first reported by Politico, was sent by Jacqueline Clay, a chief human capital officer, giving employees until 11:59 p.m. on Monday to make a decision.
“This is a one-time offer in advance of a very significant Reduction in Force for the US Department of Education,” Clay said.
The department did not answer when asked how many staffers have accepted the offer so far.
Some employees are ineligible for the payout such as those who have not yet been employed at the department for three years, those who have recently received a bonus or other award or those who got a student loan repayment benefit in the last three years.