Education Department Employees Placed On Leave For Attending Diversity Training

Some federal employees at the Education Department have been placed on administrative leave for previously attending a diversity training.

Several employees began receiving leave notices late Friday and reported them to their local union president at the American Federation of Government Employees, confirmed Brittany Holder, deputy communications director at AFGE, which represents federal workers at the agency.

The action comes as President Donald Trump has ordered federal agencies to examine and dismantle any programs or initiatives that seek to bolster diversity, equity and inclusion. A memo reviewed by POLITICO that was sent Friday informed agency workers that they had been placed on leave because of the president's executive order on DEIA and further guidance from the Office of Personnel Management.

Employees placed on leave are receiving full pay and benefits and the memo clarified the leave was not based on disciplinary reasons. But the union said it’s possible that anyone who participated in the department’s “Diversity Change Agent Program,” a voluntary two-day training, could receive a notice. Upwards of 100 people may have participated in the training.

The program was one of the department’s initiatives to foster an inclusive workplace. “Diversity Change Agents,” as the program called participants, were trained to serve as role models and lead efforts to educate and train the workforce on diversity and inclusion. Additionally, those workers supported efforts to attract and retain talent at the agency.

The Education Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.