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2016 Employee Survey Results

2016 Annual Employee Survey Results
U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM)

1. Interpretation of Results

The 2016 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) results reinforce that OPM is accomplishing its strategic goals for attracting, engaging, and developing a diverse and effective workforce.  68% of employees responded to the FEVS, which is 22% greater than the Governmentwide response rate. 

After the 2015 survey administration, OPM implemented a number of initiatives.  These include increased information about what is happening around the agency, including Town Halls and weekly Director email updates; more opportunities to get to know senior leaders, such as through brown bag luncheons; workshops on effective development conversations for employees and supervisors; and expansion of Employee Resource Groups.  OPM also established an internal Community of Practice focused on employee engagement, with representatives from each organization sharing best practices in a variety of areas, including communication, recognition, and training and development.  Items in these areas improved as a tangible result of these efforts by organizations.  Communication items like “managers promote communication among work units” and “managers communicate the goals and priorities of the organization” both went up 1% to 59% and 70%, and “managers support collaboration across units to accomplish work objectives” increased 3% to 62%.  Additionally, “I am given a real opportunity to improve my skills in my organization” increased by 3% to 67%.

Notably, OPM employees value the Agency’s mission and contribute every day to serve the public and other Federal employees.  Employees highlighted their positive perceptions about their work, with three of the highest scoring FEVS items reflecting that they are “willing to put in the extra effort to get a job done” at 96% positive, “the work they do is important” at 92%, and they are “constantly looking for ways to do their job better” at 91%.  Employees were particularly satisfied with first-line supervisors, with 87% indicating that their supervisor treats them with respect.  Additionally, OPM continues to have a strong work-life culture, with 86% of employees responding that their supervisor supports the need to balance work and other life issues. 

OPM continues to excel in areas related to performance, with 93% of employees reporting that they have talked with their supervisors about performance in the last six months.  This is further supported by 91% of employees indicating they are held accountable for achieving results and an 89% positive rating of the overall quality of work done by their work unit.  87% of OPM employees understand how their work related to the agency’s goals and priorities. 

OPM’s 2016 FEVS results have been shared with all agency leaders, supervisors, and employees.  Managers and employees will continue to discuss their results and work to maintain areas that have been highlighted as strengths for their organization and address challenges that have been identified.

2. How the survey was conducted:

The survey was conducted online from May 5, 2016 to June 16, 2016.

3. Description of sample:

All full-time and part-time permanent OPM employees on board as of 10/1/2016 were surveyed.

4. Survey items and response choices:

See below.

5. Number of employees surveyed, number responded and representativeness of respondents:

Sample or Census: Census
Number of surveys completed: 3,196
Number of survery administered: 4,699
Response Rate: 68%

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Results for Questions 1 - 71, 79 - 84
QuestionPercent PositiveStrongly AgreeAgreeNeither Agree Nor DisagreeDisagreeStrongly DisagreeItem Response Total**Do Not Know No Basis to Judge
*1.I am given a real opportunity to improve my skills in my organization.N    741 1,390 487 386 185 3,189 NA
% 66.63 23.08 43.55 15.28 12.12 5.97   
2.I have enough information to do my job well.N    615 1,583 464 381 124 3,167 NA
% 69.34 19.56 49.78 14.72 12.03 3.91   
3.I feel encouraged to come up with new and better ways of doing things.N    775 1,156 565 430 221 3,147 NA
% 61.27 24.55 36.72 18.02 13.63 7.08   
*4.My work gives me a feeling of personal accomplishment.N    1,046 1,346 423 244 111 3,170 NA
% 75.25 32.71 42.54 13.44 7.71 3.59   
*5.I like the kind of work I do.N    1,301 1,364 312 104 65 3,146 NA
% 84.39 40.98 43.41 10.19 3.30 2.12   
6.I know what is expected of me on the job.N    1,117 1,522 265 163 89 3,156 NA
% 83.54 35.32 48.21 8.46 5.13 2.86   
7.When needed I am willing to put in the extra effort to get a job done.N    1,994 1,058 78 15 24 3,169 NA
% 96.34 62.81 33.53 2.45 0.45 0.76   
8.I am constantly looking for ways to do my job better.N    1,540 1,342 246 28 24 3,180 NA
% 90.65 48.26 42.38 7.78 0.83 0.74   
9.I have sufficient resources (for example, people, materials, budget) to get my job done.N    478 1,275 470 609 347 3,179 7
% 54.86 15.11 39.75 14.69 19.25 11.20   
*10.My workload is reasonable.N    452 1,441 451 510 310 3,164 5
% 59.54 14.41 45.14 14.35 16.23 9.88   
*11.My talents are used well in the workplace.N    590 1,326 530 371 264 3,081 18
% 61.88 19.22 42.65 17.49 11.90 8.73   
*12.I know how my work relates to the agency's goals and priorities.N    1,137 1,596 270 94 54 3,151 15
% 86.59 36.10 50.50 8.67 3.08 1.66   
*13.The work I do is important.N    1,809 1,096 164 43 30 3,142 8
% 92.35 57.16 35.19 5.31 1.39 0.94   
*14.Physical conditions (for example, noise level, temperature, lighting, cleanliness in the workplace) allow employees to perform their jobs well.N    811 1,198 548 344 221 3,122 58
% 64.43 16.06 38.37 17.46 11.06 7.04   
*15.My performance appraisal is a fair reflection of my performance.N    976 1,342 386 246 200 3,150 33
% 73.56 31.08 42.47 12.25 7.76 6.43   
16.I am held accountable for achieving results.N    1,216 1,651 210 53 31 3,161 11
% 90.59 38.32 52.28 6.80 1.68 0.93   
17.I can disclose a suspected violation of any law, rule or regulation without fear of reprisal.N    935 1,114 531 181 221 2,982 187
% 68.02 30.80 37.22 18.28 6.07 7.63   
*18.My training needs are assessed.N    556 1,264 689 374 248 3,131 36
% 58.01 17.62 40.39 22.13 11.92 7.94   
*19.In my most recent performance appraisal, I understood what I had to do to be rated at different performance levels (for example, Fully Successful, Outstanding).N    1,109 1,347 295 239 157 3,147 42
% 77.99 35.28 42.72 9.45 7.50 5.06   
*20.The people I work with cooperate to get the job done.N    1,085 1,468 363 204 69 3,189 NA
% 79.70 33.73 45.98 11.50 6.60 2.20   
*21.My work unit is able to recruit people with the right skills.N    378 1,199 731 439 254 3,001 188
% 52.06 12.36 39.70 24.56 14.49 8.89   
*22.Promotions in my work unit are based on merit.N    416 936 781 374 338 2,845 323
% 46.75 14.16 32.59 27.40 13.43 12.41   
*23.In my work unit, steps are taken to deal with a poor performer who cannot or will not improve.N    321 843 772 385 307 2,628 544
% 43.77 11.92 31.85 29.35 14.76 12.12   
*24.In my work unit, differences in performance are recognized in a meaningful way.N    344 962 777 465 327 2,875 309
% 44.91 11.63 33.28 27.28 16.22 11.59   
25.Awards in my work unit depend on how well employees perform their jobs.N    435 1,050 711 335 314 2,845 332
% 51.55 14.99 36.56 25.21 11.92 11.32   
26.Employees in my work unit share job knowledge with each other.N    1,023 1,560 307 172 97 3,159 16
% 81.53 31.90 49.63 9.90 5.39 3.18   
27.The skill level in my work unit has improved in the past year.N    605 1,188 777 249 127 2.946 228
% 60.46 20.14 40.31 26.59 8.50 4.46   
28.How would you rate the overall quality of work done by your work unit?N    1,669 1,184 277 38 13 3,181 NA
% 89.30 52.28 37.01 9.03 1.29 0.39   
*29.The workforce has the job-relevant knowledge and skills necessary to accomplish organizational goals.N    516 1,635 487 293 121 3,052 101
% 70.43 16.77 53.67 16.15 9.52 3.89   
*30.Employees have a feeling of personal empowerment with respect to work processes.N    381 1,122 696 512 308 3,019 126
% 49.82 12.36 37.47 23.42 16.61 10.15   
31.Employees are recognized for providing high quality products and services.N    474 1,140 654 474 297 3,039 115
% 53.00 15.34

37.66

21.64 15.55 9.82   
*32.Creativity and innovation are rewarded.N    390 892 848 494 314 2,938 209
% 43.35 12.97 30.37 29.07 16.80 10.78   
*33.Pay raises depend on how well employees perform their jobs.N    308 801 835 488 362 2,794 338
% 39.05 10.67 28.39 30.00 17.54 13.41   
34.Policies and programs promote diversity in the workplace (for example, recruiting minorities and women, training in awareness of diversity issues, mentoring).N    543 1,152 766 151 145 2757 395
% 61.15 19.16 41.99 27.78 5.71 5.36   
*35.Employees are protected from health and safety hazards on the job.N    580 1,318 603 287 224 3,012 136
% 63.51 19.31 44.21 19.83 9.36 7.30   
*36.My organization has prepared employees for potential security threats.N    660 1,607 460 232 141 3,100 34
% 73.53 21.48 52.06 14.62 7.34 4.50   
37.Arbitrary action, personal favoritism and coercion for partisan political purposes are not tolerated.N    617 1,070 632 228 281 2,828 326
% 58.76 21.25 37.51 22.68 8.30 10.25   
38.Prohibited Personnel Practices (for example, illegally discriminating for or against any employee/applicant, obstructing a person's right to compete for employment, knowingly violating veterans' preference requirements) are not tolerated.N    768 1,160 509 114 161 2,712 418
% 70.38 27.74 42.65 19.09 4.29 6.24   
39.My agency is successful at accomplishing its mission.N    611 1,546 545 234 113 3,049 91
% 70.64 19.92 50.72 18.28 7.51 3.58   
40.I recommend my organization as a good place to work.N    835 1,329 561 266 159 3,150 NA
% 68.57 26.35 42.22 17.72 8.38 5.33   
41.I believe the results of this survey will be used to make my agency a better place to work.N    475 925 716 464 386 2,966 195
% 47.34 16.17 31.17 24.23 15.65 12.78   
*42.My supervisor supports my need to balance work and other life issues.N    1,691 1,007 226 118 96 3,138 17
% 85.62 53.28 32.34 7.46 3.82 3.10 100.00   
43.My supervisor provides me with opportunities to demonstrate my leadership skills.N    1,211 1,040 480 227 165 3,123 27
% 71.61 38.29 33.32 15.75 7.17 5.47   
*44.Discussions with my supervisor about my performance are worthwhile.N    1,208 1,131 385 212 177 3,113 26
% 74.99 38.50 36.49 12.42 6.80 5.79   
45.My supervisor is committed to a workforce representative of all segments of society.N    1,194 1,009 474 61 95 2,833 301
% 77.30 41.71 35.59 16.84 2.31 3.55 100.00   
46.My supervisor provides me with constructive suggestions to improve my job performance.N    1,172 1,152 431 200 165 3,120 20
% 74.35 37.18 37.17 13.88 6.37 5.41   
*47.Supervisors in my work unit support employee development.N    1,212 1,097 441 158 170 3,078 61
% 74.64 38.93 35.71 14.47 5.24 5.66   
48.My supervisor listens to what I have to say.N    1,523 1,106 274 134 116 3,153 NA
% 83.19 47.98 35.21 8.84 4.25 3.72   
49.My supervisor treats me with respect.N    1,705 1,031 220 94 89 3,319 NA
% 87.07 53.94 33.12 7.06 3.01 2.85   
50.In the last six months, my supervisor has talked with me about my performance.N    1,626 1,308 108 56 43 3,141 NA
% 93.09 51.22 41.87 3.50 1.86 1.55   
*51.I have trust and confidence in my supervisor.N    1,496 907 396 174 173 3,146 NA
% 76.00 47.08 28.92 12.80 5.55 5.65   
*52.Overall, how good a job do you feel is being done by your immediate supervisor?N    1,673 848 405 125 96 3,147 NA
% 79.82 52.68 27.14 12.94 4.07 3.18   
*53.In my organization, senior leaders generate high levels of motivation and commitment in the workforce.N    436 941 753 513 400 3,043 92
% 45.13 14.23 30.90 24.79 16.81 13.27   
54.My organization's senior leaders maintain high standards of honesty and integrity.N    568 1,079 684 248 268 2,847 287
% 57.37 19.48 37.90 24.22 8.84 9.56   
*55.Supervisors work well with employees of different backgrounds.N    658 1,239 590 121 145 2,753 361
% 68.52 23.47 45.05 21.39 4.57 5.51   
*56.Managers communicate the goals and priorities of the organization.N    641 1,518 478 235 198 3,070 53
% 70.08 20.60 49.49 15.65 7.80 6.46   
*57.Managers review and evaluate the organization's progress toward meeting its goals and objectives.N    609 1,397 565 147 147 2,865 259
% 69.56 20.80 48.76 19.90 5.30 5.25   
58.Managers promote communication among different work units (for example, about projects, goals, needed resources).N    546 1,198 603 338 278 2,963 162
% 58.72 18.20 40.52 20.18 11.39 9.71   
59.Managers support collaboration across work units to accomplish work objectives.N    599 1,228 588 263 243 2,921 210
% 62.25 20.28 41.98 20.25 9.08 8.41   
60.Overall, how good a job do you feel is being done by the manager directly above your immediate supervisor?N    895 1,034 535 203 175 2,842 287
% 67.50 31.10 36.40 18.74 7.47 6.29   
*61.I have a high level of respect for my organization's senior leaders.N    706 1,055 712 331 261 3,065 67
% 57.42 22.81 34.62 23.23 10.74 8.60   
62.Senior leaders demonstrate support for Work/Life programs.N    730 1,066 629 186 179 2,790 343
% 64.06 25.75 38.30 22.83 6.56 6.55   
*63.How satisfied are you with your involvement in decisions that affect your work?N 524 1,151 688 530 242 3,135 NA
% 53.40 16.49 36.91 21.90 16.89 7.80   
*64.How satisfied are you with the information you receive from management on what's going on in your organization?N 508 1,277 637 479 217 3,118 NA
% 57.03 16.04 40.99 20.58 15.35 7.05   
*65.How satisfied are you with the recognition you receive for doing a good job?N 581 1,138 696 444 250 3,109 NA
% 54.92 18.46 36.46 22.41 14.45 8.22   
*66.How satisfied are you with the policies and practices of your senior leaders?N 416 1,030 946 445 281 3,118 NA
% 45.98 13.14 32.84 30.67 14.11 9.24   
*67.How satisfied are you with your opportunity to get a better job in your organization?N 381 839 955 511 428 3,114 NA
% 38.76 12.00 26.76 30.71 16.56 13.96   
*68.How satisfied are you with the training you receive for your present job?N 506 1,211 667 472 264 3,120 NA
% 54.82 16.16 38.66 21.67 14.99 8.53   
*69.Considering everything, how satisfied are you with your job?N 800 1,462 457 280 126 3,125 NA
% 72.16 25.46 46.70 14.67 9.06 4.11   
*70.Considering everything, how satisfied are you with your pay?N 739 1,449 448 355 140 3,131 NA
% 69.23 23.24 45.99 14.53 11.56 4.68   
71.Considering everything, how satisfied are you with your organization?N 592 1,390 565 382 201 3,130 NA
% 63.11 18.78 44.33 18.08 12.33 6.48   
79.How satisfied are you with the following Work/Life programs in your agency? TeleworkN    1,299 841 189 101 33 2,463 67
% 86.74 52.51 34.23 7.88 4.03 1.34   
80.How satisfied are you with the following Work/Life programs in your agency? Alternative Work Schedules (AWS)N    918 439 43 8 2 1,410 29
% 96.38 64.63 31.74 2.98 0.52 0.13   
81.How satisfied are you with the following Work/Life programs in your agency? Health and Wellness Programs (for example, exercise, medical screening, quit smoking programs)N    142 203 67 16 2 430 43
% 80.18 35.58 46.60 15.56 3.85 0.40   
82.How satisfied are you with the following Work/Life programs in your agency? Employee Assistance Program (EAP)N    90 134 52 3 4 283 66
% 78.56 31.40 47.16 18.99 1.02 1.43   
83.How satisfied are you with the following Work/Life programs in your agency? Child Care Programs (for example, daycare, parenting classes, parenting support groups)N    27 15 17 0 2 61 30
% 69.47 44.87 24.60 27.77 0.00 2.76   
84.How satisfied are you with the following Work/Life programs in your agency? Elder Care Programs (for example, support groups, speakers)N    22 25 16 1 0 64 24
% 75.10 35.35 39.75 23.86 1.04 0.00   

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Results for Question 72 - 78: Work/Life and Telework
72. Have you been notified whether or not you are eligible to telework?N%
Yes, I was notified that I was eligible to telework. 2,656 84.88
Yes, I was notified that I was not eligible to telework. 291 9.72
No, I was not notified of my telework eligibility. 59 2.05
Not sure if I was notified of my telework eligibility. 103 3.35
Total 3,109 100.00

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73. Please select the response below that BEST describes your current teleworking situation.N%
I telework 3 or more days per week. 984 30.93
I telework 1 or 2 days per week. 961 31.26
I telework, but no more than 1 or 2 days per month. 206 6.59
I telework very infrequently, on an unscheduled or short-term basis. 371 12.09
I do not telework because I have to be physically present on the job (e.g., Law Enforcement Officers, Park Rangers, Security Personnel). 234 7.73
I do not telework because I have technical issues (e.g., connectivity, inadequate equipment) that prevent me from teleworking. 16 0.52
I do not telework because I did not receive approval to do so, even though I have the kind of job where I can telework. 126 4.41
I do not telework because I choose not to telework. 201 6.46
Total 3,099 100.00

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74. Do you participate in the following Work/Life programs? Alternative Work Schedules (AWS)N%
Yes 1,436 46.34
No 1,562 49.75
Not available to me 108 3.91
Total 3,106 100.00

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75. Do you participate in the following Work/Life programs? Health and Wellness Programs (for example, exercise, medical screening, quit smoking programs)N%
Yes 453 14.98
No 2,187 69.97
Not available to me 466 15.05
Total 3,106 100.00

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76. Do you participate in the following Work/Life programs? Employee Assistance Program (EAP)N%
Yes 291 9.78
No 2,662 86.34
Not available to me 113 3.87
Total 3,066 100.00

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77. Do you participate in the following Work/Life programs? Child Care Programs (for example, daycare, parenting classes, parenting support groups)N%
Yes 65 2.30
No 2,540 81.78
Not available to me 497 15.92
Total 3,102 100.00

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78. Do you participate in the following Work/Life programs? Elder Care Programs (for example, support groups, speakers)N%
Yes 76 2.60
No 2,635 84.47
Not available to me 403 12.92
Total 3,114 100.00

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Demographics A
QuestionResponseN%
Where do you work? Headquarters 1,268 40.94
Field 1,829 59.06
Total 3,097 100.00
*What is your supervisory status? Non-Supervisor 2,513 81.04
Team Leader 199 6.42
Supervisor 254 8.19
Manager 90 2.90
Senior Leader 45 1.45
Total 3,101 100.00
*Are you: Male 1,268 42.10
Female 1,744 57.90
Total 3,012 100.00
*Are you Hispanic or Latino? Yes 210 7.06
No 2,764 92.94
Total 2,764 100.00

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Demographics B
QuestionResponseN%
*Please select the racial category or categories with which you most closely identify. American Indian or Alaska Native 24 0.83
Asian 71 2.46
Black or African American 561 19.43
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 8 0.28
White 2,102 72.81
Two or more races 121 4.19
Total 2,887 100.00
What is the highest degree or level of education you have completed? Less than High School 1 0.03
High School Diploma/GED or equivalent 188 6.18
Trade or Technical Certificate 56 1.84
Some College (no degree) 408 13.42
Associate's Degree (e.g., AA, AS) 194 6.38
Bachelor's Degree (e.g., BA, BS) 1,376 45.25
Master's Degree (e.g., MA, MS, MBA) 709 23.31
Doctoral/Professional Degree (e.g., Ph.D., MD, JD) 109 3.58
Total 3,041 100.00

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Demographics C
QuestionResponseN%
What is your pay category/grade? Federal Wage System 2 0.07
GS 1-6 158 5.16
GS 7-12 1,859 60.69
GS 13-15 1,001 32.68
Senior Executive Service 36 1.18
Senior Level (SL) or Scientific or Professional (ST) 3 0.10
Other 4 0.13
Total 3,063 100.00
How long have you been with the Federal Government (excluding military service)? Less than 1 year 51 1.67
1 to 3 years 228 7.47
4 to 5 years 269 8.82
6 to 10 years 911 29.86
11 to 14 years 421 13.80
15 to 20 years 329 10.78
More than 20 years 842 27.60
Total 3,051 100.00

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Demographics D
QuestionResponseN%
How long have you been with your current agency (for example, Department of Justice, Environmental Protection Agency)? Less than 1 year 102 3.37
1 to 3 years 393 12.98
4 to 5 years 429 14.17
6 to 10 years 1,019 33.66
11 to 20 years 686 22.66
More than 20 years 398 13.15
Total 3,027 100.00
Are you considering leaving your organization within the next year, and if so, why? No 2,102 68.92
Yes, to retire 143 4.69
Yes, to take another job within the Federal Government 608 19.93
Yes, to take another job outside the Federal Government 57 1.87
Yes, other 140 4.59
Total 3,050 100.00
I am planning to retire: Within one year 96 3.15
Between one and three years 256 8.41
Between three and five years 267 8.77
Five or more years 2,426 79.67
Total 2,426 100.00

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Demographics E
QuestionResponseN%
Self-Identify as: Heterosexual or Straight 2,423 84.10
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgender 81 2.81
I prefer not to say 377 13.09
Total 2,881 100.00
What is your US military service status? No Prior Military Service 2,199 73.40
Currently in National Guard or Reserves 41 1.37
Retired 310 10.35
Separated or Discharged 446 14.89
Total 2,996 100.00
Are you an individual with a disability? Yes 407 13.52
No 2,603 86.48
Total 3,010 100.00
What is your age group? 25 and under 31 0.97
26-29 126 3.94
30-39 836 26.16
40-49 833 26.06
50-59 1,035 32.38
60 or older 335 10.48
Total 3,196 100.00

*AES prescribed items.

**Unweighted count of responses excluding 'Do Not Know' and 'No Basis to Judge'.

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Control Panel