Employees of the Education Department Put on Leave After Participating in Diversity Training
Late Friday, a number of employees started to receive notifications regarding their leave.
TroibNews 
Some federal employees at the Education Department have been placed on administrative leave for their prior participation in a diversity training program.
Notices of leave began to be issued late Friday, prompting employees to inform their local union president at the American Federation of Government Employees, as confirmed by Brittany Holder, deputy communications director at AFGE, which represents federal workers at the agency.
This development follows President Donald Trump’s directive for federal agencies to review and eliminate any programs or initiatives that aim to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEIA). A memo sent out on Friday, which was obtained by PMG, stated that agency employees were placed on leave in response to the president's executive order on DEIA and subsequent guidance from the Office of Personnel Management.
Those on leave are receiving full pay and benefits, and the memo clarified that the leave was not related to disciplinary actions. However, the union indicated that there is a possibility that anyone who took part in the department’s “Diversity Change Agent Program,” which is a voluntary two-day training, could receive a notice. It is estimated that around 100 individuals participated in the training.
The program was designed as part of the department's efforts to promote an inclusive workplace. Participants, referred to as “Diversity Change Agents,” were trained to act as role models and lead initiatives to educate and train the workforce on diversity and inclusion. They also assisted in efforts to attract and retain talent within the agency.
The Education Department has not yet responded to a request for comment.
Allen M Lee contributed to this report for TROIB News
Notices of leave began to be issued late Friday, prompting employees to inform their local union president at the American Federation of Government Employees, as confirmed by Brittany Holder, deputy communications director at AFGE, which represents federal workers at the agency.
This development follows President Donald Trump’s directive for federal agencies to review and eliminate any programs or initiatives that aim to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEIA). A memo sent out on Friday, which was obtained by PMG, stated that agency employees were placed on leave in response to the president's executive order on DEIA and subsequent guidance from the Office of Personnel Management.
Those on leave are receiving full pay and benefits, and the memo clarified that the leave was not related to disciplinary actions. However, the union indicated that there is a possibility that anyone who took part in the department’s “Diversity Change Agent Program,” which is a voluntary two-day training, could receive a notice. It is estimated that around 100 individuals participated in the training.
The program was designed as part of the department's efforts to promote an inclusive workplace. Participants, referred to as “Diversity Change Agents,” were trained to act as role models and lead initiatives to educate and train the workforce on diversity and inclusion. They also assisted in efforts to attract and retain talent within the agency.
The Education Department has not yet responded to a request for comment.
Allen M Lee contributed to this report for TROIB News
