A recent poll of federal workers found that nearly two-thirds would not choose a public service career again due to eroding job security and benefits. The survey, conducted by the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association in July, reflects concerns about the current federal climate under the Trump administration, which has made sweeping cuts to the federal workforce. According to a 2024 Congressional Budget Office report, federal workers with a bachelor's degree earn roughly 10% less than comparable private sector workers. The survey respondents expressed frustration and disillusionment with the work environment, citing issues such as poor treatment and lack of respect for government employees.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-21,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Nearly two-thirds of U.S. federal workers, or 64%, according to a recent poll by the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE), say they wouldn't choose a government career again due to concerns about eroding job security and benefits. The survey, conducted in July, found that workers' negative views of public service are largely driven by their experiences during the 43-day-long government shutdown in 2025, which was the longest in modern U.S. history. President Trump's efforts to reduce the size and scope of the federal workforce through executive orders, including a hiring freeze on civilian workers, have also contributed to workers' dissatisfaction.
Written for “Federal Worker Job Satisfaction” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 1 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The article's framing focuses on the 'eroding' of job security and benefits, implying a negative impact on workers. The use of phrases like 'hostile work environment,' 'no respect,' and 'poor treatment' also suggests a critical tone towards the Trump administration's policies.
Written under an earlier scoring contract, which gave a paragraph
rather than checkable quotes. Re-analysing this article replaces it.
Leaning score +0.35 for article 362 · logged 2026-08-04
Nearly two-thirds of U.S. federal workers said they wouldn't enter public service again, citing eroding job security and benefits, according to a recent poll of active and retired government employees.
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they → say → employees
Respondents' views overwhelmingly reflected concerns about the current federal climate, rather than regret over having chosen careers in government, the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) found in a July survey.
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Association → reflect → survey
The Trump administration has made sweeping cuts to the federal workforce by eliminating jobs and weakening civil service protections.
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administration → make → protections
In 2025, the White House announced a number of executive orders to slash government jobs, including a hiring freeze on civilian workers and directives to federal agencies to reduce their rolls.
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House → announce → rolls
President Trump has said there are too many federal workers, pushing to reduce the size and scope of government while making agencies more efficient.
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agencies → say → government
Workers' perceptions of public-sector careers also reflect struggles many of them faced during a 43-day-long impasse in late 2025 — the longest government shutdown in modern U.S. history.
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many → reflect → history
Workers deemed essential, such as air traffic controllers, were required to work without pay, while others were furloughed.
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others → deem → pay
"I probably served the American people for more than 20 years.
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I → serve → years
The first few months of this administration were the worst times in my career," one government worker told NARFE, according to the group, which advocates for pay and benefits protections for federal workers and retirees.
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which → tell → workers
"The work environment was outright hostile, confusing and under-resourced.
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environment → resource → ?
"
"No respect, no protections, poor treatment," another survey respondent said.
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respondent → say → ?
"For many people, the draw of working for the federal government is serving a mission they support on a nonpartisan, professional basis," John Hatton, vice president of policy and programs at NARFE, told CBS News.
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Hatton → work → News
"It's separated from the political system, to a large degree.
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It → separate → degree
But we're seeing a real erosion of nonpartisan, professional service.
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we → see → service
"
Enticing people to work in government may require new incentives, including higher pay, Hatton added.
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Hatton → entice → pay
"If you can't get skilled people who have professional experience and meet the standards of the job because the culture of the organization is changing, that's going to be detrimental for the provision of services to the American people," he said.
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he → get → people
According to a 2024 Congressional Budget Office report, federal workers with a bachelor's degree, comprising about one-third of the federal workforce, earned roughly 10% less than comparable workers in the private sector.
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workers → accord → sector
Civil servants with a professional degree or doctorate earned almost 30% less than their counterparts in the private sector, according to the report.
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servants → earn → report
If lower-paying government jobs no longer promise job security, they become less appealing than private-sector alternatives and could hamper recruiting efforts, Hatton said.
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Hatton → pay → efforts
"Typically, people saw these jobs as not offering the same prospect of monetary reward as you got in the private sector, but you get security, you support a mission, and that balance for job candidates is starting to fall apart," he said.
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he → see → candidates
"So you're going to have to create some other incentive to bring them into the workforce."
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you → go → workforce
