LINCOLN— Nebraska Department of Economic Development employees raised widespread concerns about agency leadership, communication, and workload in the 2026 State of Nebraska Public Servant Engagement Survey. Of the 39 employees who responded, 32 said they disagreed or strongly disagreed that the agency prioritizes and takes care of its employees. Several workers described a “culture of fear,” saying they were reluctant to raise concerns because they worried about retaliation or losing their jobs. DED staffing has also fallen sharply, from about 115 full-time employees in May 2025 to 66 as of Sept. 18, 2026.

Employees also criticized poor internal communication, the loss of regional positions, and increasing burnout as remaining staff take on additional work. Some said downsizing has weakened DED’s presence in rural Nebraska and made workloads unmanageable. Agency leadership pushed back on some of those claims, arguing that staffing reductions are tied in part to the end of pandemic-era programs and declining federal funding. Director Maureen Larsen also said rural engagement is expanding through the “6 Regions, One Nebraska” initiative and noted that some vacancies are still being filled.

The survey also showed low employee willingness to recommend DED as a place to work: 26 of 38 respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed that they would recommend the agency for a career. Larsen and Deputy Director Stacey Parr said they take the concerns seriously but do not believe the survey necessarily reflects the views of the entire department. Leadership pointed to morale efforts, HR access, and internal recognition programs, while Larsen said some dissatisfaction may also stem from the state’s return-to-office policy.

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