Preparing for Policy Change: Key Workforce Metrics to Watch

January 24, 2025

With the inauguration of a new administration, political leadership shifts bring policy changes that will significantly impact public sector organizations. HR teams must navigate these transitions by adapting to new priorities and addressing emerging challenges.

Successfully managing these shifts requires not only strategic foresight but also a deep understanding of workforce metrics that reflect the health and readiness of an organization. By monitoring the right data, public sector HR teams can proactively respond to policy changes, ensuring their workforces remain agile and aligned with evolving objectives.

Key Metrics for Navigating Change

Attrition Rates

Tracking attrition rates gives public sector HR teams a clear view of workforce stability, enabling them to address challenges before they escalate. High attrition can signal underlying dissatisfaction or uncertainty, which may intensify during periods of organizational or policy shifts.

This past Wednesday, January 22nd, the Office of Personnel Management issued a memorandum directing agencies to transition employees back to full-time, in-person work within 30 days, with limited exemptions. This policy change has sparked concerns about employee retention, particularly for those who value the flexibility of telework. Monitoring attrition rates is critical for agencies to assess how such mandates affect their workforce and to take proactive steps to address potential retention challenges and maintain workforce stability.

ZeroedIn provides public sector organizations with the tools to track and analyze attrition data, providing the insights needed to identify vulnerabilities and maintain workforce stability. By leveraging these real-time metrics, public sector HR teams can ensure their agencies are prepared to adapt effectively to new mandates

Skills Alignment

As new policies are implemented, the skills required to meet organizational objectives may shift. Identifying gaps between current workforce capabilities and future needs enables agencies to invest in targeted upskilling and training programs, ensuring employees are prepared to meet emerging priorities.

For example, with the rapid rise of AI and digital technologies, many government agencies face a growing skills gap. A recent survey revealed that 60% of public sector workers feel they lack the technological skills needed to implement AI effectively. Additionally, the World Economic Forum predicts that AI and machine learning will transform 1.1 billion jobs over the next decade.

ZeroedIn’s software equips agencies with the tools to identify workforce capability gaps and align skills with organizational needs. By providing the data and insights needed to make informed decisions, our platform empowers organizations to plan and prioritize training initiatives, ensuring they are prepared to meet mandates like cybersecurity requirements while building a resilient workforce for future challenges.

Employee Engagement

Recent data shows that U.S. employee engagement fell to its lowest level in a decade in 2024, with only 31% of employees engaged and 17% actively disengaged. For public sector HR teams, these statistics underscore the critical need to monitor engagement metrics to maintain workforce stability.

By tracking engagement levels, agencies can assess how employees feel about their roles and connection to their organization’s mission. Tools like ZeroedIn provide engagement data, allowing HR teams to quickly identify areas of concern and implement strategies to boost morale. Maintaining strong engagement not only supports day-to-day operations but also strengthens workforce resilience as agencies adapt to new directives.

Time-to-Fill and Hiring Trends

As political transitions unfold in 2025, new policies are reshaping recruitment in the public sector. The Executive Order on Reforming the Federal Hiring Process has set a new standard, reducing time-to-hire to under 80 days. This creates an urgent need for agencies to monitor hiring metrics, identify bottlenecks, and align recruitment efforts with organizational goals.

ZeroedIn’s tools allow agencies to track time-to-fill, recruitment trends, and hiring efficiencies, providing the data necessary to ensure staffing levels remain stable during these changes. By identifying bottlenecks and leveraging insights, agencies can improve their hiring processes and maintain operational readiness.

Adapt & Thrive in 2025

In times of change, doing more with less is the reality for public sector HR teams. By tracking key metrics and leveraging advanced analytics, agencies can navigate uncertainty with confidence.

ZeroedIn’s platform empowers organizations to prepare for the unexpected, optimize workforce strategies, and ensure their efforts align with shifting objectives.

Are you ready to navigate change with confidence? Contact us to learn how ZeroedIn can help your agency stay ahead of workforce challenges and thrive in an evolving landscape.

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