Just for the record, we (fed gov) don’t call ‘em layoffs, we call ‘em RIFs. “Reduction in force”. I’m not trying to be a smarta$$ but RIFs do happen. Personally if that’s what it takes then so be it. Problem with the fed gov is, seniority means everything, you could be the brightest most efficient worker in your dept. if the sluggo POS in your office has more time in sevice (comp date) than you and a RIF comes guess what, he stays you go. How do I know? It happened to me. That’s how fed gov employment is structured. Oh and by the way, before that happens, every contractor working at that facility has to go first.
Just doesn’t sound efficient does it?
It's not meant to be efficient; it's meant to be stable.
The government usually lets retirements, deaths and resignations “reduce” the work-force.
Can you recall when the last time the “government” walked through the office pointing out various GS employees and saying, “you, you there, you are laid off.”
Contractors in government service are now actually being downsized through lay-offs.