The Small Business Administration (SBA) is planning to lay off more than 40% of its workforce, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the plans.
According to sources, the plan seeks to restructure the SBA and bring the number of employees back to pre-pandemic levels, eliminating approximately 2,700 positions. At the same time, planned staff reductions will target non-essential roles and will also allow for the possibility of voluntary resignations.
If confirmed, the layoffs will indicate the continuation of the sitting administration's policy of reducing the size of federal agencies. Previously, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at shutting down the Department of Education while the Pentagon was said to plan to slash up to 60,000 civilian jobs.