With the threat of the return of Schedule F and other potential changes outlined in Project 2025 looming over the federal workforce, employees are not gathering resumes or applying for jobs after the election results that returned Donald Trump to the White House .

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

“Ridiculous to think of not serving my country because of petty politics,” wrote one respondent.

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

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

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

“I expect to leave in the first year after entering the 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 be fired,” one respondent wrote.

The fact that the respondents are not running for the hills and seem to have a pragmatic view of the election is a good thing for agencies.

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

At the same time, the respondents are not as confident in the fact that their colleagues stay at the agency.

Nearly 40 percent say they expect “many” or “some” people to leave office because of the election.

“Those who can retire will be more likely to leave early under an administration that will make things more difficult than those already working in the federal government,” wrote one respondent.

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

However, many others said there are plenty of reasons to stay, and others say it depends on possible budget cuts, benefit cuts or other factors that may or may not happen.

Others say much of it depends on the remote work or telecommuting policies new management brings.

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

In fact, when asked if the new administration will reduce telecommuting, nearly 67 percent of respondents agreed that it will.

Many respondents said that of all their concerns, reducing telecommuting and telecommuting was among the biggest.

“Easiest way to get people to quit, which they will want,” wrote one respondent.

Another said he hopes the new leadership focuses on what the data says about telecommuting and telecommuting: “I think telecommuting and telecommuting makes sense for anyone who is willing to make data-driven decisions versus driven decisions for presentation. The Trump administration will likely evaluate the data and determine where it makes sense. I don’t think there will be a remote/teleluc retreat where it makes sense. If you deserve to enjoy being a supervisor and know how to supervise employees for productivity, I don’t think it matters much. The most draconian, chair-equal 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 been corrected in the last 4 years. I think it will continue especially when it is aligned with the cost of maintaining expensive brick and mortar government facilities.”

Others worried whether their offices had enough space for most employees to return five days a week.

And there were several respondents who said it’s time to end telecommuting and telecommuting.

“I hope so. Telecommuters are not as productive in doing the work they are paid to do. Many remote workers take advantage of remote work and also limit important relationship building and collaboration,” wrote one respondent.

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.

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

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

Another said, “I think our budget is going to be cut — because we’ve committed 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 the agencies.

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

And another said a decrease in the budget would be a good thing. “Honestly, I’m hoping to downsize our agency because we’re bloated, but no one wants to admit it.”

A third person even said the Clinton administration: “A 1993 Reinventing Government review would be welcome.”

Copyright © 2024 Federal News Network. All rights reserved. This website is not intended for users located in the European Economic Area.