While the threat of Schedule F’s return and other potential changes outlined in Project 2025 linger on the minds of the federal workforce, employees aren’t polishing their resumes or running for job boards in the wake of election results that will re-nominate Donald Trump. White House.

Federal News Network’s “Impact Poll” found that 42% of more than 1,000 respondents plan to stay in their jobs, and another 41% say they are taking a “wait and see” approach before jumping ship. Federal News Network conducted the online survey of its viewers from November 6-7.

“It’s ridiculous to even consider quitting serving my country because of petty politics,” one participant wrote.

Another said, “I plan to continue doing my best for the people I serve. I love my job and the elections haven’t changed that. “I still feel a sense of responsibility and pride in my agency and in my current position.”

Other federal employees said they were more likely to retire or were already planning to retire soon, and the election did not change their minds.

Reasons for the 11% who said they would leave their institution or federal service ranged from politics, saying “enough is enough” to expectations of cuts and possible layoffs.

“I expect to leave within the first year of the incoming administration. “I believe that under a second Trump administration the civil service workforce will be significantly reduced and many staff will either have to leave or face termination,” one participant wrote.

It is a good thing for the agencies that the respondents did not run to the mountains and approached the election from a pragmatic point of view.

A mass exodus of employees from any organization would be extremely problematic.

At the same time, respondents are not as confident in their colleagues staying at their agency.

Almost 40% say they expect “many” or “some” to leave office because of the election.

“Those who might retire will be more likely to leave sooner under an administration that will make things harder than when they worked in the federal government,” one participant wrote.

Another said: “Yes, I expect the retirement wave to finally reach the federal government before Plan F is fully implemented and more than 100,000 career civil servants are removed from the federal services. I’m leaving before the inauguration.”

Still, while many say there are plenty of reasons to stay, others say it depends on possible budget cuts, reductions in benefits or other factors that may or may not occur.

Others say much of this depends on telecommuting or remote work policies introduced by new leadership.

“If we have to go back to the office full time, people will leave. We have data confirming that remote work is more efficient and effective, and if that changes, people will leave,” one participant wrote.

In fact, when asked whether the new administration would reduce remote or remote work, almost 67% of respondents agreed it would.

Of all their concerns, most respondents said that remote work and the decline of remote work were among their biggest concerns.

“The easiest way to get people to quit smoking, which is what they would want,” one participant wrote.

Another said they hope the new leadership focuses on what the data says about telecommuting and remote work: “I believe telecommuting and remote work make sense for anyone who is willing to make data-driven decisions rather than ad-hoc presentation-driven decisions. The Trump administration will likely evaluate the data and see where it makes sense.” I don’t think there will be a retreat from remote/telework where it makes sense. If you’re worth your salt as a manager and know how to monitor employees for productivity, I don’t think it matters much, most of the draconian, butts-in-seats work ideology and methodology has been debunked over time and COVID is ours. It was our digital converter and the data is in. Coming to the office is not a reliable determining factor for productivity or getting things done, but for some positions it is a necessity. I think this balance has improved over the last 4 years, especially when aligned with the cost of maintaining expensive brick and mortar facilities. I believe it will.”

Others worry whether their offices have enough space for most employees to return five days a week.

There were also a few participants who said it was time to end telecommuting and telecommuting.

“I hope so. Remote workers are not as productive doing the jobs they are paid to do. Many remote workers take advantage of remote work and also limit relationship building and important collaboration,” one participant wrote.

Federal employees who responded to the survey were less optimistic about possible changes to their duties and budgets under the Trump administration.

More than half of respondents said they expected their budget or mission to decrease significantly or slightly, while just over 12% said they expected their mission and budget to remain the same.

In general, respondents working at places like the Department of Defense or other national security agencies felt more optimistic about their budgets and mission futures, while others working at places like the Environmental Protection Agency or Department of Justice expressed more concern.

“I am in the State. I think Trump’s America First approach will diminish our diplomatic mission. “The hiring freeze in 2017-2018 hurt in the long run,” one participant wrote.

Another said: “I think our budget will be cut; I think the agency will face a RIF next year as we have done significant hiring over the last four years.”

Others are more optimistic about the Trump administration’s impact on agencies.

“The first Trump administration was largely ‘right-sized’ within the government, and the second will do the same,” another participant wrote.

Another said the budget reduction would be a good thing. “Frankly, I hope for cuts to our agency because we are bloated, but no one wants to admit that.”

A third even called out the Clinton administration: “A 1993 Reinvention of Government-style overhaul would be welcome.”

Copyright © 2024 Federal News Network. All rights reserved. This website is not directed to users in the European Economic Area.