The Number of Executives Leaving the Federal Gov’t is on the Rise

Federal government senior executives are leaving government at a very high rate, up 44 percent since 2009, according to a Federal Times article.

Andy Medici cites a George Washington University study which says turnover in the Senior Executive Service increased from 7.2 percent in 2009 to 9.8 percent in 2013.

“The current Congress and Administration need to realize that politics as usual will only exacerbate these trends, with the net result being a growing brain drain that hurts our government and the American people it serves.” said Carol Bonosaro, president of the Senior Executives Association. 

The study adds that a drop in bonuses and and the pay gap between the public and private sectors might have contributes to the rising retirement rates, Medici writes.

The study also cites frustration with agency leadership and with Congress as reasons for leaving.