Federal workers across the government on Friday received emails from top officials at their agencies informing them that the resignation offers they received earlier this week are "valid, lawful, and will be honored.

"The fact that you should reply to an email with the word 'resign' sounds like a phishing test," says Elizabeth Lotardo, a workplace and career expert. "We're not positive how or

The buyout offer comes as the Trump administration seeks to reduce the amount of federal employees. Thousands of workers in Michigan may be included.