Respondents want the government to be transparent in its policies and to openly express the challenges it faces. Image: kuzmaphoto/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffWhile trust in government has been in a general decline, it is a special concern regarding younger people, the Partnership for Public Service has said, citing polling it conducted this year in which only 15 percent of those between ages 18 and 34 said they trust the federal government—the lowest of any age grouping.
“Their lack of trust makes it difficult for the government to address young adults’ specific needs. This distrust may also be a barrier to attracting young talent,” it said, once again pointing out that the federal government has a lower percentage of employees under age 30 and a higher percentage over age 50 than the private sector.
“Without building trust, connecting with and recruiting young talent could be more difficult, leaving agencies at risk of being dangerously understaffed and unable to meet future challenges effectively,” it said.
It said that to try to understand what causes mistrust among that group, the poll asked focus groups what words first come to mind. The most common related to corruption, the influence of money and special interests, and lack of accountability for government actions.
It added: “Alarmingly, only 28% of people ages 18–34 believe the government communicates effectively with them, according to our August 2024 survey. In addition, just 33% find federal communication clear, and 29% agree the government is transparent . . . Our participants expressed a desire for clear, straightforward and honest communication, free from sugarcoating. They want the government to be transparent in its policies and to openly express the challenges it faces.”
Recommendations included:
* presenting a “realistic and nuanced view of government performance and operations. Presenting only positive messages would likely have the opposite effect, alienating this age demographic”;
* “leveraging the online spaces they already occupy. This includes not only being present on social media, but also creating clear, concise, candid and authentic content”;
* considering “partnering with social media influencers who already create government-related content and have a strong following”; and
* sharing “relatable and accessible content about the work of federal employees” and presenting career opportunities “in a clear, accessible way on familiar job-search platforms.”
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How Do Age and Years of Service Impact My Federal Retirement
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