With the threat of the return of Annex F and other potential changes outlined in Draft 2025 hanging over the heads of the federal workforce, employees are not polishing their resumes and showing up to sites of employment after the results of the elections which brought Donald Trump back to power. White House.

A Federal News Network “Pulse Poll” found that 42 percent of the more than 1,000 respondents plan to keep their jobs and 41 percent say they are taking a “wait and see” approach before jumping ship. Federal News Network conducted an online survey of its audience on November 6-7.

“It’s ridiculous to consider stopping serving my country for the sake of petty politics,” one respondent wrote.

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

Other federal employees have said they are more likely to retire or plan to do so soon, and the election hasn’t changed their minds.

Among the 11% who said they would leave their federal agency or service, their reasons ranged from politics, saying “enough is enough,” to expectations of reductions and possible layoffs.

“I plan to leave within the first year of the new administration. I believe the civil service workforce will be significantly reduced under a second Trump administration and many employees will either have to leave or risk being laid off,” one respondent wrote.

The fact that the interviewees do not present themselves as partisans and seem to have a pragmatic view of the elections is a good thing for the agencies.

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

At the same time, those surveyed are not as confident that their colleagues will stay with their agency.

Nearly 40% say they expect “many” or “some” to leave their positions because of the election.

“Those who can retire will be more likely to leave sooner under an administration that makes things more difficult than they already do in the federal government,” one respondent wrote.

Another said: “Yes, I expect the wave of retirements to finally hit the federal government before Annex F is fully implemented and over 100,000 career civil servants are pushed out.” of their federal service. I’m leaving before the inauguration.

Still, many others said there were plenty of reasons to stay, and still others say it depends on possible budget cuts, benefit reductions or other factors that may or may not come to fruition.

Others say it largely depends on the remote work or telecommuting policies new leaders put in place.

“If we have to go back to the office full time, people will leave. We have data that verifies that we are working remotely more effectively and efficiently and if that changes, people will leave,” one respondent wrote.

In fact, when asked if the new administration would reduce remote work or telecommuting, nearly 67% of respondents said yes.

Many respondents said that among all their concerns, reducing telecommuting and remote work was among their biggest concerns.

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

Another said he hoped new leadership would focus on what the data says about telecommuting and remote work: “I think telecommuting and remote work makes sense for anyone who is willing to take the data-driven decisions rather than gut decisions. The Trump administration will likely evaluate the data and determine where it makes sense. I don’t think there will be a move away from teleworking where it makes sense. If you’re worth your time as a supervisor and you know how to oversee employee productivity, I don’t think it matters much. The most draconian equal work ideology and methodology has been debunked over time and COVID has been our digital transformer, and the data is there. Coming to the office is not a reliable determinant of efficiency or getting things done; but it is a requirement for some positions. I think this balance has redressed over the last 4 years. I think this will continue, especially if we come into line with the cost of maintaining expensive physical government facilities.

Still others wondered if their offices had enough space for most employees to return five days a week.

And several respondents said it was time to end telecommuting and remote work.

“I hope so. Remote workers are not as productive in performing the work they are paid to do. Many remote workers take advantage of working from home and this also limits relationship building and important collaboration,” one respondent wrote.

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

More than half of respondents say they expect their budgets or missions to decrease significantly or slightly, while just over 12% said they expect their missions and budgets to stay the same .

In general, respondents who work in places like the Department of Defense or other national security agencies feel more optimistic about their budget and the future of their mission, while others who work in places like the Environmental Protection Agency or the Department of Justice have expressed more concerns.

“I’m at State. I imagine Trump’s America First approach will diminish our diplomatic mission. The hiring freeze in 2017-2018 caused long-term damage,” one respondent wrote.

Another said: “I think our budget will be reduced – since we have hired significantly over the last four years, I think the agency will face a RIF next year. »

Others are more optimistic about the impact the Trump administration will have on agencies.

“The first Trump administration ‘right-sized’ much of government, and the second will do the same,” another respondent wrote.

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

A third person even recalled the Clinton administration, saying, “A 1993 Reinventing Government-style overhaul would be welcome.” »

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