Former federal government employees are facing a harsh reality as they transition into the private sector, where jobs demand more than a pulse and a willingness to sit through meetings.
With President Donald Trump and Elon Musk aggressively slashing federal bureaucracy since taking office last month, thousands of ex-government workers now find themselves grappling with the unfamiliar concept of accountability. Positions at places like Walmart and McDonald’s, often dismissed as entry-level, are proving to be daunting for people accustomed to a slower pace and generous breaks.
Take Susan Miller, a 15-year veteran of the Department of Education, who recently started as a cashier at a Walmart in Ohio.
“I thought scanning items would be easy, but they expect you to stand for hours and actually help customers,” Miller said. “At my old job, I’d spend half the day scrolling BlueSky or napping in the comfort of my own bed, and no one cared as long as I filed a report once a month.”
The federal government, prior to the Trump-Musk overhaul, employed over 2 million civilians, many in roles that prioritized routine over results. Recent data shows that the average federal worker spent just 4.2 hours a day on productive tasks, according to a 2024 Heritage Foundation study.
Now, with agencies gutted and staff reduced by 30% in the first three weeks of the administration, these former employees are discovering that the real world operates on a tighter schedule.
Across the country, similar stories are emerging. John Baxter, who worked 22 years at the Environmental Protection Agency, took a job flipping burgers at a McDonald’s in Nevada.
“They want me to show up on time every day and keep the grill clean,” Baxter said. “In D.C., I’d clock in, sip coffee for three hours, and call it a win if I answered two emails before lunch.”
The shift stems from Trump’s campaign promise to dismantle what he called “the lazy deep state,” a pledge Musk has turbocharged with his hands-on approach to restructuring.
Last week, Musk announced plans to eliminate 75% of federal regulations, forcing surviving agencies to justify every position. For those cut loose, the private sector has become a crash course in effort.
Not everyone is struggling equally, though some are vocal about the culture shock.
Linda Torres, a former IRS analyst now stocking shelves at Target, said, “I didn’t sign up to lift boxes or deal with angry shoppers asking about sales.” Torres admitted she spent most of her government tenure perfecting her Sudoku skills while waiting for 5 p.m.
Employers are noticing the trend. A McDonald’s manager in Florida reported that three ex-federal hires quit within a week, citing “excessive expectations” like mopping floors and serving customers during a rush.
The adjustment isn’t just physical — it’s mental, as years of cushy schedules clash with the grind of hourly wages.
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