Struggles persist with understaffing in the Census, with workers claiming Trump's actions are exacerbating the issue.

The Census Bureau, an essential agency responsible for collecting critical data about the nation's population and economy, is facing a significant challenge due to staffing shortages. This issue, exacerbated by government cuts, has raised concerns about the reliability and completeness of the data collected.

In a recent development, it has been reported that some field representatives, who play a crucial role in interviewing survey respondents, are unable to renew their temporary assignments due to a hiring freeze. This situation has led to a loss of at least 1,300 individuals since President Donald Trump's second term, according to the American Federation of Government Employees.

The agency is currently trying to fill 53 positions, including 18 field representative roles. However, the hiring process is proving challenging due to the requirement that field representatives have four years of experience to qualify for a permanent appointment and the freeze on federal hiring.

The Census Bureau's workforce has been reduced to a quarter of its size, and the agency is struggling to collect necessary data from temporary field employees. As of September 2024, the agency had about 3,000 employees.

The inspector general for the Commerce Department issued a report in March, highlighting that the Census Bureau missed field representative staffing goals for three major surveys from fiscal years 2019 through 2023. The report also faulted the agency for not developing a workplan to address the gaps, although officials have since committed to crafting one.

The staffing shortages have resulted in understaffing, leading to some field representatives being brought in from outside of the region. This situation has incurred additional costs, such as hotel room and travel expenses.

Employees are also feeling the strain. One Census worker stated that morale is low within the agency, and some are resistant to taking time off due to fear of work build-up. The employee has accumulated 40 sick hours but is hesitant to use them due to staffing shortages.

The fewer people Census has, the less real geographic coverage it has, according to the employee. This could have significant ramifications for the amount of data that can be collected and the validity of that data.

The Census Bureau operates in years that don't end in "0," performing surveys that measure things like national unemployment and crime rates. Despite the ongoing challenges, the agency continues to hire and encourages interested individuals to apply.

However, it's important to note that field representatives do not immediately receive benefits like paid time off. This, coupled with the hourly pay of $17 to $25, depending on location, may deter potential applicants.

The Census employee's concerns about the continued reliability of the agency's work due to staffing shortages underscore the importance of a fully functioning Census Bureau. As the agency moves forward, it will be crucial for them to address these challenges to ensure the collection of accurate and comprehensive data.

Struggles persist with understaffing in the Census, with workers claiming Trump's actions are exacerbating the issue.