Layoffs at the good government nonprofit totaled more than 40 people, according to people familiar. NurPhoto / Getty
Partnership for Public Service lays off dozens of staff
The nonprofit works to improve civil service and positively transform government.
The Partnership for Public Service laid off dozens of employees on Friday, multiple people who themselves were laid off told Government Executive.
The layoffs came one week after staff received a memo foreshadowing a potentially significant downsizing due—at least in part—to forecasts of few if any new government contracts from the Trump administration for training and other services the organization provides. Layoffs totaled more than 40 people, according to three people familiar, more than a quarter of its entire workforce.
The layoffs at the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit come at the same time as the Trump administration has taken steps to fire tens of thousands of probationary civil servants, directed agencies to slash workforces and cull consultancies.
The Partnership for Public Service layoffs impacted several teams, including operations and events, the Public Service Leadership Institute, the Center for Presidential Transition and research teams. In addition to its training programs and research, which have upskilled civil servants and informed nearly every federal agency, the Partnership for Public Service organizes the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals gala to recognize outstanding civil service.
"To protect our future existence, we are reshaping the organization in significant ways," Partnership for Public Service CEO Max Stier said in a statement on LinkedIn. "Sadly, the Partnership today reduced our workforce by more than a quarter. Our people have always been our greatest asset, and this was undoubtedly the most difficult decision I have made as president and CEO. Our team is made up of smart, dedicated and hardworking people who have committed themselves to making our government work better. The Partnership is a better organization because of their contributions, and I will do everything I can to support those impacted in their next steps."
"As the Partnership enters a new phase, our work will look different, but we remain steadfast in pursuing meaningful change and advocating for both a better federal government and the millions of employees who ensure it continues to work on our behalf both now and in the future," Stier added.
“It’s obviously disappointing,” one former employee told Government Executive. “It’s a sign of a broader impact to come beyond just federal agencies.”
This story was updated to include comment from the Partnership for Public Service.