A Wednesday memo from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) directs agencies across government to turn over plans for widespread layoffs of federal employees by March 13.

The memo, which provides more specific guidance after a Feb. 11 executive order from President Trump mandating layoffs, requires agencies to break down their plans for a reduction in force and broader restructuring of their agencies.

It also indicates the White House is eager to speed the shedding of federal workers, noting OPM can cut in half the 60-day notification period for employees being laid off, meaning swift-moving agencies could begin notifying affected employees as soon as April.

“Pursuant to the President’s direction, agencies should focus on the maximum elimination of functions that are not statutorily mandated while driving the highest-quality, most efficient delivery of their statutorily-required functions,” OPM and OMB wrote in the memo.

The memo directs agencies to “collaborate with their Department of Government Efficiency (“DOGE”) team leads within the agency.”

Among the suggested methods for cutting employees is looking at “positions not typically designated as essential during a lapse in appropriations.”

The memo also suggests agencies “close and/or consolidate regional field offices to the extent consistent with efficient service delivery; and maximally reduce the use of outside consultants and contractors.”

Agencies are even directed to weigh “whether the agency [itself] or any of its subcomponents should be eliminated or consolidated.”

Also among the suggestions for improving efficiency is to “automate routine tasks.” 

Law enforcement, national security, military and Postal Service roles are exempt, as are all political appointees and the White House.

The American Federation of Government Employees, the largest federal employee union, accused the Trump administration of seeking to ignite chaos, warning of the costs.

“Laying off potentially hundreds of thousands of federal workers will mean fewer services at higher costs for the American taxpayer. Longer waits at VA hospitals, fewer inspectors ensuring the safety of our meats and produce, less research into cures for debilitating and deadly diseases, more risks for air travelers, longer waits for Social Security enrollment and passports, and the list goes on,” the union said in a statement.

“What it will not do is result in any discernable savings for taxpayers – in fact, taxpayers likely will end up paying more as the essential work our government does is sold off to private, for-profit contractors,” it added.

The plans for a reduction in force follow both the offer of a government buyout and the mass layoffs of thousands of employees on probationary status — those who were hired within the past year.

The Merit System Protection Board on Tuesday ordered a small number of fired probationary employees be returned to their post for 45 days — following a recommendation by the Office of the Special Counsel that the probationary filings were unlawful and would likely need to be accomplished through an official reduction in force.

The Wednesday memo from the two agencies lays out the path for conducting that process, allowing layoffs of more workers as well as a route to cut any probationary employees, should they return to their posts.

No later than April 14, agencies are directed to embark on “Phase 2,” listing all employees they plan to lay off as well as any proposed relocations.

It does require any departments that provide direct services to citizens break down how any agency reorganization will have a positive impact.

Once agencies submit their Phase 2 plan, they can begin formally notifying employees who will be laid off. While this notification usually comes 60 days ahead of termination, OPM notes it can give a waiver to shorten that period to 30 days.

After that notification window, agencies can begin cutting employees.

Agencies do have to take certain factors into account when determining who to cut, including veteran status and past performance.

Updated at 4:30 p.m. EST