Some feds assess telework, job security under incoming Trump administration

Federal employees are largely staying put following Donald Trump’s re-election, according to a recent Federal News Network survey. Despite concerns about potential changes to civil service protections, 42 percent of more than 1,000 surveyed employees intend to remain in their roles, while 41 percent are adopting a "wait and see" approach. The potential return of Schedule F—a policy allowing political appointees to bypass civil service protections—has some employees cautious but committed to their roles. As the article drily notes, "The fact that respondents are not running for the hills and seem to be taking a pragmatic view of the election is a good thing for agencies."

At the same time, federal employee unions, including the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), are preparing for a challenging period, per NextGov. Both unions expressed willingness to work with the incoming administration but remain vigilant. Given Trump’s previous efforts to reduce employee influence in federal agencies, union leaders are fortifying their alliances in Congress to counter any policies that could compromise worker protections. As AFGE President Everett Kelley stated, the union is “fully prepared to work with allies in Congress…to fight any actions that would harm frontline federal workers.”

Federal employees are particularly concerned about the potential reduction in telework, with 67% expecting cutbacks on remote options. As one respondent noted, mandatory in-office policies could prompt a significant number of resignations.