‘Insulting’: As workforce reductions occur, DOT provides employees advice on personal branding, handling emotions
The newly launched "Career Transition Learning Series" aims to assist "employees through the transition from the federal sector to alternate industries."
TroibNews 
With layoffs potentially on the horizon at the Transportation Department — perhaps as early as next month — the agency has initiated workshops for employees covering topics such as enhancing their personal brands and managing the emotional hurdles associated with job loss, according to a memo reviewed by PMG.
The "Career Transition Learning Series," announced to DOT employees last week by the Office of Human Resource Management, features sessions aimed at helping employees elevate their personal brand. In these sessions, employees will “learn practical tools to effectively leverage your personal brand and navigate career transitions with confidence.”
Scheduled workshops also include assistance for workers in translating their federal experience into opportunities in the private sector, mastering interview techniques, and addressing issues around “coping with downsizing and job loss” and “managing strong emotions.” The session dedicated to managing strong emotions emphasizes that “preventing emotional outbursts is key to a productive workplace.” Participants will also be guided to “recognize emotional cues” and adopt strategies to “manage and prevent strong reactions.”
The DOT did not respond to requests for comment.
One employee described the session on managing strong emotions as “insulting."
“It feels like it's intended to tell us we're being dramatic or that we're not professional enough to go through turmoil and remain detached and completely calm. It feels out of touch," said the employee, who requested anonymity to speak freely.
The individual cited an instance when Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy implemented a "dress code as soon as he got here, when everyone knows how to dress for the office and there's no need to tell a professional workforce how to dress."
"Just feels like another slight against federal workers, honestly," the worker remarked.
Another employee characterized the initiative as "definitely ham-handed if it's not deliberately to scare people." This employee was also granted anonymity for candid discussion about the workshops.
Agencies have been instructed to implement significant workforce reductions through layoffs, known as "reductions in force." While DOT has not yet initiated widespread layoffs, Duffy has indicated that the agency will not be exempt from cuts.
In February, nearly 800 probationary DOT employees were terminated, only to be reinstated later by a federal judge’s ruling. Additionally, over 1,000 employees accepted an initial deferred resignation offer.
Recently, DOT issued a second deferred resignation offer, and many are anticipated to choose to leave, according to two sources familiar with the approximate figures. Official statistics have not yet been released.
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
The "Career Transition Learning Series," announced to DOT employees last week by the Office of Human Resource Management, features sessions aimed at helping employees elevate their personal brand. In these sessions, employees will “learn practical tools to effectively leverage your personal brand and navigate career transitions with confidence.”
Scheduled workshops also include assistance for workers in translating their federal experience into opportunities in the private sector, mastering interview techniques, and addressing issues around “coping with downsizing and job loss” and “managing strong emotions.” The session dedicated to managing strong emotions emphasizes that “preventing emotional outbursts is key to a productive workplace.” Participants will also be guided to “recognize emotional cues” and adopt strategies to “manage and prevent strong reactions.”
The DOT did not respond to requests for comment.
One employee described the session on managing strong emotions as “insulting."
“It feels like it's intended to tell us we're being dramatic or that we're not professional enough to go through turmoil and remain detached and completely calm. It feels out of touch," said the employee, who requested anonymity to speak freely.
The individual cited an instance when Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy implemented a "dress code as soon as he got here, when everyone knows how to dress for the office and there's no need to tell a professional workforce how to dress."
"Just feels like another slight against federal workers, honestly," the worker remarked.
Another employee characterized the initiative as "definitely ham-handed if it's not deliberately to scare people." This employee was also granted anonymity for candid discussion about the workshops.
Agencies have been instructed to implement significant workforce reductions through layoffs, known as "reductions in force." While DOT has not yet initiated widespread layoffs, Duffy has indicated that the agency will not be exempt from cuts.
In February, nearly 800 probationary DOT employees were terminated, only to be reinstated later by a federal judge’s ruling. Additionally, over 1,000 employees accepted an initial deferred resignation offer.
Recently, DOT issued a second deferred resignation offer, and many are anticipated to choose to leave, according to two sources familiar with the approximate figures. Official statistics have not yet been released.
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
