Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has begun asking staff to voluntarily separate as the Tri-Cities’ largest employer seeks to make cuts in response to anticipated federal spending reductions. 

The Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business obtained a copy of a FAQ document sent to PNNL employees detailing the Self-Select Voluntary Separation Program, which indicates those separations could be finalized by early September. 

Lab spokesperson Dawn Zimmerman confirmed in an email to the Journal of Business that Battelle, the lab’s operator, is offering a voluntary separation option to employees. The voluntary separations are part of Battelle’s “own operational and personnel decisions in alignment with the Department of Energy and federal sponsor budget and research priorities.” 

The lab declined to provide further information, such as how many separations it is seeking or what departments will be affected, due to those being personnel actions. 

“Battelle has made every effort minimize impacts to our workforce and will continue to do so,” Zimmerman said. 

PNNL began bracing for layoffs in early June, after the White House released its proposed federal budget which included billions of dollars in cuts to three DOE programs with a large presence at the lab. 

Lab director Steven Ashby sent a memo to staff at the time that said the lab could face significant layoffs if that budget is approved and hinted that plans were being developed to review potential staffing cuts. 

“Given the uncertainty we are facing, the Laboratory Leadership Team (LLT) and I are reviewing options to prepare for (fiscal year) 2026, including reductions in direct and indirect staff,” Ashby wrote, adding, “I know that this message will be upsetting to many, and I wish I did not have to share it.” 

According to the recent FAQ document, not all lab employees are eligible for voluntary separation. Eligibility will be based on current staffing levels, budget constraints, needed organizational skills and the lab’s collective bargaining agreement.  

For those who are eligible and whose application to participate is accepted, their separation benefits will be: 

• One week of pay for each full year of continuous full-time equivalent service plus one-quarter of a week’s pay for each additional three months of continuous service, up to a maximum of 20 weeks. 
• Medical benefits through the end of separation month. 
• Eligibility for the DOE Displaced Workers Medical Benefits Program (DWMBP), if ineligible for coverage under another plan, or continued coverage of benefits under COBRA. 

Employees have seven days after being notified they are eligible for voluntary separation to apply. Employees who do initially sign up for voluntary separation can withdraw their application if they change their mind, but only if they do so before Sept. 5. 

Voluntarily separated staff will not receive preference in hiring if they apply for other positions at the lab in the future. They also will have to repay their severance if they later become employed by DOE, the National Nuclear Security Administration or a DOE contractor within a year of separating. 

“Participation is entirely voluntary. If, however, not enough employees elect to participate, involuntary separations will follow,” the document read. “Not volunteering does not exempt employees from future involuntary separation.