Disappearing demographic data hurts efforts to track laid-off federal workers

Sarah Javaid, a senior research analyst at the National Women’s Law Center, compiled a report that showed federal workers who belonged to protected groups — groups receiving special legal or policy protections based on personal characteristics — could be particularly vulnerable to being laid off.

“Folks are hearing and experiencing exactly what this report says is happening, which is that it’s women and people of color, particularly a lot of Black women, who are being pushed out of the federal workforce,” Javaid said.