link to original document: chcoc.gov/sites/default/files/OPM Memo Initial Guidance Regarding DEIA Executive Orders.pdf
full text (somewhat awkwardly transformed into markdown)
MEMORANDUM
TO: Heads and Acting Heads of Departments and Agencies
FROM: Charles Ezell, Acting Director, U.S. Office of Personnel Management
DATE: January 21, 2025
RE: Initial Guidance Regarding DEIA Executive Orders
Pursuant to its authority under 5 U.S.C. § 1103(a)(1) and (a)(5), the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (“OPM”) is providing the following initial guidance to agencies regarding the President’s executive orders titled Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing and Initial Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions, which repeals Executive Order 14035, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility in the Federal Workforce.
Steps to Close Agency DEIA Offices: In light of the above Executive Orders, each should take prompt actions regarding the offices and agency sub-units focusing exclusively on DEIA initiatives and programs (the “DEIA offices”). Specifically, agency heads should take the following steps:
- No later than 5:00 pm EST on Wednesday, January 22, 2025
a. Send an agency-wide notice to employees informing them of the closure and asking employees if they know of any efforts to disguise these programs by using coded or imprecise language a template agency-wide notice is attached as Appendix 1.
b. Send a notification to all employees of DEIA offices that they are being placed on paid administrative leave effective immediately as the agency takes steps to close/end all DEIA initiatives, offices and programs.^1^ A template employee letter is attached as Appendix 2.
[footnote] 1: The authority for placing these employees on paid administrative leave is set forth in the OPM memorandum entitled “Guidance on Probationary Periods, Administrative Leave and Details” issued January 20, 2025.
c. Take down all outward facing media (websites, social media accounts, etc.) of DEIA offices.
d. Withdraw any final or pending documents, directives, orders, materials, and equity plans issued by the agency in response to now-repealed Executive Order 14035, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) in the Federal Workforce (June 25, 2021).
e. Cancel any DEIA-related trainings, and terminate any DEIA-related contractors.
- No later than 12:00 pm EST on Thursday, January 23, 2025, report to OPM on all steps taken to implement this memorandum, including:
a. a complete list of DEIA offices and any employees who in those offices as of November 5, 2024,
b. a complete list of all DEIA-related agency contracts as of November 5, 2024, and
c. any agency plans to fully comply with the above Executive Orders and this memorandum.
- No later than 5:00 pm EST on Friday, January 31, 2025, submit to OPM:
a. a written plan for executing a reduction-in-force action regarding the employees who work in a DEIA office. Agencies should coordinate with OPM in preparing these plans,
b. a list of all contract descriptions or personnel position descriptions that were changed since November 5, 2024 to obscure their connection to DEIA programs.
Please contact Amanda Scales at amanda.scales@opm.gov if you have any questions regarding this memorandum. Please send any reports requested by this guidance memo to DEIAreports@opm.gov, with a copy to amanda.scales@opm.gov.
cc: Chief Human Capital Officers (CHCOs), Deputy CHCOs, Human Resources Directors, and Chiefs of Staff
Appendix 1
Template Email - Agency Head to Employees
Dear agency employees,
We are taking steps to close all agency DEIA offices and end all DEIA-related contracts in accordance with President Trump’s executive orders titled Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing and Initial Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions.
These programs divided Americans by race, wasted taxpayer dollars, and resulted in shameful discrimination.
We are aware of efforts by some in government to disguise these programs by using coded or imprecise language. If you are aware of a change in any contract description or personnel position description since November 5, 2024 to obscure the connection between the contract and DEIA or similar ideologies, please report all facts and circumstances to DEIAtruth@opm.gov within 10 days.
There will be no adverse consequences for timely reporting this information. However, failure to report this information within 10 days may result in adverse consequences.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Appendix 2
Template Email - Administrative Leave Notice (Sent to Employees)
Dear [Employee],
This email provides important information regarding your employment status. Effective January 2[_], 2025 at [__] [_]m EST, all employees within [ODEIA] will be placed on administrative
leave with full pay and benefits. This administrative leave is not being done for any disciplinary
purpose.
Please note the following:
- Pay and Benefits: You will continue to receive your full salary and benefits during the entirety of this administrative leave period.
- Work Responsibilities: You are not required or expected to perform any work-related tasks during this period of administrative leave.
- Office Attendance: You are not required or expected to come to the office during this time.
- Email Access: Your email access will be suspended. Please make sure that your address of record and contact information are current with your agency.
We will provide you with updates as soon as they are available. We appreciate your patience and cooperation.
If you have any concerns or questions, please contact [Designated Contact Person] at [Email].
Respectfully,
[Name/Title of Authorizing Official]
[Office/Agency]
