Federal Workers Suffer Under Trump's Shutdown, As Furloughs and Layoffs Reach a Record High

Strategic Insights -

Furloughed workers and those still on the job face unprecedented stress and anxiety as President Donald Trump's administration pushes forward with its shutdown, forcing 750,000 federal employees without pay and threatening to dismiss many more. The shutdown has crippled many federal agencies, including the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Education Department, and NASA, where more than 80 percent of staff are furloughed.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 80 federal employees across three dozen agencies described the shutdown and the spreading fear of layoffs as the last straw, with many using their unplanned time at home to start applying to positions in the private sector.
  • The large numbers of experienced federal workers who continue to flee, coupled with the dismay and fatigue afflicting those who remain, raise the question of whether the U.S. government is less effectively able to serve the public.
  • Max Stier, president of the Partnership for Public Service, noted that the shutdown only hastens the decline of a workforce that is already diminished and exhausted.
  • Federal workers are experiencing unprecedented stress and anxiety, with many feeling numb and unsure about their job security, with some wondering whether they will be able to continue working remotely or be fired first.
  • The shutdown has halted the work of several agencies, including HUD, the Education Department, and NASA, where more than 80 percent of staff are furloughed, resulting in delays in rental assistance and potentially leaving tenants without homes.
  • Service workers, including cooks, custodians, janitors, and security guards, are also facing the threat of being sent home without pay, as they work for contractors and are not entitled to back pay.
  • The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) has sued the Trump administration to block layoffs, arguing that no federal law allows the government to use the shutdown for such a purpose.
  • Senior government officials have privately warned agencies against undertaking firings during the shutdown, as such dismissals may violate appropriations law.

Statistics:

  • 750,000 federal employees are furloughed without pay during the shutdown.
  • 2.1 million civilian federal workers have been under unprecedented stress and anxiety since the start of Trump's second term.
  • Over 80 federal employees across three dozen agencies described the shutdown and the spreading fear of layoffs as the last straw.
  • The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) workforce has been particularly affected, with some furlough notices sent out extremely late.
  • Service workers, including cooks, custodians, janitors, and security guards, face the threat of being sent home without pay, affecting mostly Black or Latino employees.

Sources:

  • Max Stier, president of the Partnership for Public Service, citing his organization's advocacy for improving federal agencies and services.
  • Abigail Jackson, White House spokeswoman, in a statement on the Democrats' decision to shut down the government.
  • Everett Kelley, AFGE President, arguing that the threat of layoffs has put workers on edge more than in recent shutdowns.
  • American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) lawsuit against the Trump administration to block layoffs.
  • Records obtained by The Post detailing emails and out-of-office messages sent to furloughed staff at various federal agencies.
  • Unions representing service workers, citing the impact of the shutdown on their members, who are mostly Black or Latino.