NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — More than half of the 2,000 buyout applications offered to state employees have been sent to workers in two state agencies: the departments of transportation and human services.
Republican Gov. Bill Haslam told reporters this week that the buyouts are part of his ongoing efforts to restructure state government. Haslam said the offers are based on job classifications that have become obsolete.
While workers are warned that involuntary layoffs could follow if not enough of them decide to accept the buyout offer, the governor said his administration has no specific target in mind.
Haslam said about 300 people have applied so far. The deadline to apply is July 17.
The Human Services Department tops the buyout offer list with 585 positions, followed by 511 at the Transportation Department.