We the Partnership

How the State Department workforce changed under the Trump administration

Our recent Fed Figures analysis found that the overall number of full-time civilian federal employees increased under the Trump administration—despite its stated intent to shrink the size of the federal workforce. However, one notable exception where this did not occur was at the State Department, which decreased by an average of 0.2% each year.

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Five honorees reflect on the power of the Sammies

The Service to America Medals spotlight federal employees’ significant contributions to the health, safety and security of our nation. Here, five Sammies honorees from over the years reflect on what the recognition from federal leadership, media, celebrities and the public has meant to them.

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How the federal workforce changed under the Trump administration

The Trump administration came into office with the expressed intention of shrinking the size of the federal government and its workforce. However, our latest analysis shows that the number of full-time, civilian federal employees increased throughout the former president’s term. Read more for a summary of our analysis highlighting how the federal workforce changed during the Trump administration.

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Happy 60th anniversary to the Federal Executive Boards

Since 1961, Federal Executive Boards have fostered key partnerships in government by providing a space for communication and coordination among federal agencies outside the Washington, D.C., area. As they mark their 60th anniversary, we are highlighting some recent ways in which the boards have helped federal workers better serve the public, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Why we can’t afford another government shutdown

Shutdowns and continuing resolutions hurt the people this country serves, yet they have become far too common. Partnership Executive Vice President James-Christian Blockwood discusses the harmful effects of shutdowns on critical work , such as strategic planning, and shares solutions to avoiding future shutdowns.

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Busting common myths about HR in the federal government

In a new blog series, we speak with current and former government HR experts to dispel myths about federal human resources and help new managers navigate federal policies. Our first post digs into managers’ options for compensating or incentivizing high-performing employees.

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