Source: Who are the US federal workers at risk of losing their jobs and what do they do? – The Guardian US

Summary:

Overview of Federal Workforce Reductions

  • Initiative Leaders: The Trump administration, with Elon Musk leading the “department of government efficiency” (Doge), is spearheading efforts to significantly reduce the federal workforce.
  • Potential Impact: Tens of thousands of federal employees could be affected, although exact numbers are not available due to ongoing legal challenges.

Current Federal Workforce Composition

  • Size and Distribution: Approximately 3 million federal employees, representing about 2% of the US workforce.
  • Major Employers:

– Department of Defense: Over 750,000 employees, excluding 1.3 million active-duty military personnel.
– Department of Veterans Affairs: Approximately 480,000 employees.

  • Demographics:

– Age: Over 50% of federal workers are above 45 years old.
– Racial Diversity: Higher percentage of Black employees compared to the private sector, attributed to post-civil rights era hiring laws.

Geographic Distribution and Misconceptions

  • Location: While Washington DC has a significant federal workforce, most employees are spread across various states.
  • Examples: Roles range from national park rangers to healthcare professionals in Veterans Affairs hospitals.

Comparison with Other Government Employees

  • Local and State Workforce: 15 million local government employees and nearly 6 million state government employees.
  • Federal Contractors: Estimated 5.2 million private contractor employees, not included in federal workforce statistics.

Budgetary and Reform Goals

  • Budget Reduction: Musk aims to cut the federal budget by $2 trillion, with discretionary spending at $1.7 trillion in 2023.
  • Reform Initiatives:

– Voluntary Buyouts: Approximately 75,000 employees accepted buyouts, pending legal review.
– Probationary Employee Layoffs: Affects employees with less than a year of service, causing disruptions in several departments.

Exemptions and Legal Challenges

  • Exemptions: Military personnel, postal workers, and roles related to national security, immigration, and public safety are exempt from the reduction programs.
  • Legal Status: Some initiatives are temporarily blocked by federal courts, requiring further legal proceedings.