Federal workers sour on government work, decrying eroding job security
August 3, 2026 / 11:07 AM EDT / CBS News
TL;DR
- Nearly two-thirds of U.S. federal workers stated they would not enter public service again.
- Key reasons cited include eroding job security and benefits.
- The Trump administration's actions, including job cuts and weakened civil service protections, are contributing factors.
- The 2025 government shutdown, the longest in modern U.S. history, negatively impacted workers.
- Federal workers with degrees earn significantly less than their private-sector counterparts.
- The perceived balance of job security and mission support in federal work is deteriorating, requiring new incentives for recruitment.