The recent revelation of dismal employee morale across federal agencies underscores the glaring inefficiencies and mismanagement inherent in our bloated government bureaucracy. According to findings released by the Partnership for Public Service, nearly one-third of federal employees graded their departments a dismal “D” or worse in 2023, painting a grim picture of the workplace climate within federal agencies.
Despite slight improvements since 2020, the overall sentiment among federal workers remains dismal. The data, drawn from surveys completed by 532 federal agencies and their components, reveal a stark discontent. Such dissatisfaction isn’t surprising, given the lack of efficient leadership, accountability, and the relentless push for policies driven by diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility rather than merit and competency.
What’s telling is that only six out of 17 major federal departments and agencies managed to scrape by with a “C-” or better, whereas the rest languished with “D” or “F” ratings. This is an alarming indicator of inefficiency and disarray. It’s evident that centralized control and big government are failing to create a productive and motivated workforce.
Interestingly, the happiest employees are those working remotely, boasting an average workplace score of 75 out of 100. In stark contrast, field office workers are the least happy, with a score of 61 out of 100. This disparity highlights the disconnect between distant bureaucrats and the on-ground realities faced by federal employees who must deal with the real-world implications of federal policies.
Sen. Joni Ernst’s recent call for ending remote work and bringing federal employees back to their offices is a prudent move in light of these findings. The refusal of some Justice Department employees to cease remote working underscores a resistance to accountability and responsibility.
Age also plays a significant role in workplace satisfaction. Employees over 60 ranked highest in terms of job satisfaction, while those in their 30s ranked the lowest. This may point to a growing disillusionment among younger federal employees faced with stagnant career growth and the inefficiencies of a sprawling bureaucratic system.
In examining these findings, it’s crucial to note that top-scoring entities like NASA and the Department of Veterans Affairs represent a small fraction of federal agencies. The overall approval score for federal workers was a mediocre 65.7%, and certain departments such as the Justice Department and the Social Security Administration fell below 60, reflecting abysmally low morale.
Ironically, even agencies considered “improved,” such as the Department of Homeland Security with a nearly 6-percentage-point increase, still barely reach a “D-” rating. This speaks volumes about the ineffectiveness of federal oversight, especially in times of crises like the ongoing border situation.
With a historic border crisis under President Joe Biden’s administration, agencies like U.S. Customs and Border Protection have been stretched to their limits, yet CBP ranks near the bottom with a score of 55. Despite these critical security challenges, effective leadership is clearly lacking.
The least successful midsize agencies, including the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), add further weight to the argument against big government. The FDIC, notably, saw a sharp decline in morale due to widespread internal issues, including sexual harassment scandals.
The Partnership for Public Service’s findings are a clarion call for a return to a leaner, more efficient government that prioritizes liberty, personal accountability, and efficient use of taxpayer dollars. This data once again underscores the urgent need for reform and a shift towards a government that truly serves its citizens rather than bloats itself on their hard-earned money.
