Attention AFGE Local 507 Bargaining Unit Employees: Understanding the "Fork in the Road" Buyout and the Law on Administrative Leave

Over the past week, AFGE Local 507 participated in our annual Legislative Conference in Washington DC, where we met with 15 congressional offices from both sides of the aisle. These meetings provided valuable insight into current legislative matters affecting federal employees, but more importantly, they confirmed what we have been saying all along—there is no authorized "fork in the road" buyout. This misinformation is spreading rapidly, leading many employees to make uninformed and irreversible decisions about their careers.

The Truth About the "Fork in the Road" Buyout

Many employees have been led to believe that there is a legitimate buyout offer that allows them to voluntarily separate from federal service with a financial package. However, after meeting with multiple congressional representatives, it is clear that no such buyout has been approved or authorized. Any buyout program of this magnitude must first be voted on and approved by all 434 members of the U.S. House of Representatives before it can take effect. This process has not happened, and without congressional approval, there is no buyout.

Unfortunately, some employees have chosen to ignore AFGE’s warnings and instead relied on misinformation from their peers or other unreliable sources. In one particular agency, employees who signed up for this so-called buyout were later told they did not qualify. Instead of receiving the financial package they expected, they were simply terminated. These employees are now left without jobs, they are holding accountable the individuals who convinced them to take this action. While AFGE is actively pursuing a lawsuit regarding this issue, the damage has already been done for those affected.

The Law on Administrative Leave

One major misconception surrounding this buyout is the belief that employees can be placed on indefinite administrative leave while waiting for their separation to be processed. This is false. The law governing administrative leave is clear and does not allow for unlimited paid time off under these circumstances.

According to 5 U.S.C. § 6329c, administrative leave is strictly limited:

• Federal employees may only be granted a maximum of 10 days of administrative leave per calendar year unless there is a specific statutory or regulatory exception.
• Administrative leave may only be used in limited situations such as weather emergencies, security concerns, or for brief investigatory purposes.
• There is no law that allows employees to be placed on administrative leave indefinitely while waiting for a buyout.

This means that any claim that employees will be paid to stay home while waiting for the "fork in the road" buyout to be finalized is entirely false. No law allows for such an arrangement, and any employee who believes otherwise is being misled.

Why You Must Stop, Think, and Ask Questions

We at AFGE Local 507 have been strongly discouraging our bargaining unit employees from signing anything related to this unauthorized buyout. Yet, we are seeing cases where employees are listening to their peers instead of their union and making uninformed decisions that put their jobs at risk. If you take nothing else from this message, remember these key points:

1. No buyout has been approved – Any major workforce reduction program must be passed by Congress.
2. Administrative leave is capped at 10 days per year – Any claim that you can sit at home and collect a paycheck while waiting for a buyout is false.
3. Employees who have taken the buyout have already been terminated – Do not let yourself become another victim of misinformation.
4. Your union is here to protect you – Before making any career-altering decision, consult your AFGE representatives for the facts.

If You Are Being Encouraged to Take This Illegal Buyout

If a coworker, supervisor, or anyone else is pushing you to accept this buyout—and you later face termination as a result—you must take action to protect yourself. 

What You Should Do:

1. Document Everything – If someone encourages you to sign up for the buyout, keep records of their statements.
   • Save any emails, text messages, or written communications where they tell you this is a legitimate offer.
   • If they speak to you in person, take notes on the date, time, and details of what was said.
2. Ask for Written Proof – If someone insists the buyout is real, request that they provide official documentation backing up their claim.
   • Do not sign anything without first verifying its legitimacy with AFGE.
3. Hold Them Financially Accountable – If you lose your job because you were misled, you have every right to take legal action against those who encouraged you to sign.
   • If you have proof that someone misled you into signing up for this illegal buyout, they should be held financially responsible for the consequences you suffer

What You Should Do Moving Forward

AFGE Local 507 is actively working to counter misinformation by providing employees with accurate details, clarifying legal limitations, and ensuring that our members are fully informed before making any decisions. However, the responsibility also lies with each employee to verify information before taking action.

• If you hear a rumor about a buyout, STOP. Do not assume it is true.
• THINK about the legal and financial consequences. Would a major workforce reduction really happen without Congress voting on it?
• ASK your union and your congressional representatives. Get your information from credible sources, not from coworkers who may be misinformed.

Final Thoughts

We understand that uncertainty in the workplace can be stressful, and the idea of a financial buyout may seem appealing. However, making a decision based on false information can have devastating consequences. Employees who took the unauthorized buyout are now jobless with no legal recourse, all because they ignored AFGE’s guidance.

We urge every bargaining unit employee to remain cautious, informed, and proactive. If you have any doubts or concerns, reach out to AFGE Local 507 before signing anything. Your career and financial future are too important to gamble on misinformation.

In Solidarity,
AFGE Local 507