A new report from Louisiana’s Legislative Auditor shows that the number of state employees increased by about 5.4 % between 2021 and 2024 (lailluminator.com).
Even with this growth, most agencies are operating with a vacancy rate of roughly 14 % (lailluminator.com).
Staffing Gains
Departments such as the Department of Children and Family Services and the Office of Juvenile Justice saw significant hiring over the past three fiscal years.
Overall headcount across state government rose from roughly 60 000 workers in 2021 to about 63 000 in 2024.
Ongoing Shortages
The report highlighted that many agencies still struggle to fill positions. The Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Juvenile Justice and the Department of Children and Family Services all have vacancy rates well above 20 % (lailluminator.com).
Entry-level salaries in some agencies are less than $14 per hour, making it difficult to attract and retain talent (lailluminator.com).
The auditor noted that some positions require working nights, weekends or holidays without premium pay, further impacting recruitment.
Implications
Persistent vacancies can delay services, increase workloads for existing staff and contribute to burnout.
Lawmakers and agency leaders are debating strategies like pay raises, remote-work options and training programs to improve retention.
Addressing these shortages will be critical to ensuring that Louisiana’s public services — from child welfare to public safety — remain effective.
Sources
This article draws on findings from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s staffing trend report and coverage from the Louisiana Illuminator (lailluminator.com). The aim is to provide a balanced summary of the state’s staffing challenges without advocating for a particular policy response.
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