A new national survey from Harvard University’s Kennedy School finds that state and local government employees generally report high job satisfaction but face significant challenges with burnout, workplace harassment and employee retention, Stateline reports.
The study, conducted by The People Lab, surveyed nearly 5,000 public servants across all 50 states, including more than 4,400 employees in city, county and other local governments. Overall, 82% of respondents said they were at least somewhat satisfied with their jobs, while 60% reported being satisfied or very satisfied.
However, 40% experienced at least one symptom of burnout, and 27% intended to leave their jobs within the next 12 months. State employees reported lower satisfaction and engagement, along with a higher likelihood of leaving, than their local government counterparts, though researchers cautioned that the state employee sample was relatively small.
Workplace harassment emerged as another significant concern, with 35% of respondents reporting they had been bullied, threatened, attacked or harassed during the previous year. About 22% experienced harassment from internal sources, such as co-workers or supervisors, while 17% reported harassment from external sources, including residents or the media. Employees who experienced harassment were substantially more likely to report emotional exhaustion and plans to leave their positions.
Researchers say the findings should prompt government leaders and policymakers to prioritize employee well-being and retention. Because public servants deliver essential services and address challenges ranging from transportation and housing to climate change, supporting the government workforce is critical to maintaining public sector effectiveness and solving broader societal problems.
