2009 Employee Survey Results
U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM)

1. Interpretation of Results

OPM uses periodic surveys to gather information about employees' perceptions of the leadership and management practices that contribute to overall performance and employee satisfaction in areas such as work environment; rewards and recognition; opportunities for professional development and growth; and opportunity to contribute to achieving organizational mission. The 2009 Annual Employee Survey (AES) results have been reviewed and analyzed to gauge OPM employee perceptions on how well the Agency is meeting the goals of strengthening, developing, and rewarding its employees.

The 2009 AES results reflected a mix of increases and decreases in positive response rates when compared to the 2008 Federal Human Capital Survey (FHCS), with results for many items similar to the previous survey. One category that showed noteworthy improvement in positive responses was Personal Work Experience. The positive response rate for all the questions in this category improved from the 2008 FHCS, with the greatest increase of 11.5 % for the question "My work gives me a feeling of personal accomplishment"; and an 8% increase in positive responses for the question "I recommend my organization as a good place to work."

In the category of Leadership, the positive response rate for most items remained largely consistent with last year's results; however, a decrease in positive responses was noted for questions pertaining to communication of goals and priorities and review and evaluation of the organization's progress against goals and objectives. These decreases in satisfaction may be attributable to the uncertainties of a proposed reorganization that was rolled-out during the administration of the survey, and pending finalization of a new Agency strategic plan.

There was a notable decrease of 6.8% in positive responses between the 2009 AES and the 2008 FHCS concerning physical working conditions. The Agency is aggressively working to improve facilities and workspace conditions and has established a working group to identify targeted areas for improvement. Employee input was solicited to help prioritize improvements. The attention that has been placed on this area has likely heightened awareness and expectations for physical conditions among employees, which could explain the decrease in the positive response rate.

Other items of particular note are a 7.9% increase in positive responses for the question "Considering everything, how satisfied are you with your job?"; an 8% increase in positive responses for the item "I recommend my organization as a good place to work"; and an 11.5% increase in positive responses for the item "Employees have electronic access to learning and training programs readily available at their desk". Items reflecting noteworthy decreases in satisfaction include "The people I work with cooperate to get the job done" (6.8% decrease in positive responses), "I am given a real opportunity to improve my skills in my organization" (7% decrease in positive responses), and "Supervisors/team leaders provide employees with constructive suggestions to improve their job performance" (10% decrease in positive responses).

The overall results reflect the positive steps taken to ensure OPM's performance management system is effective and that employees understand how their work relates to the Agency's goals and objectives and the role they play in carrying out the Agency mission. Emphasis has also been placed on improving communications and information sharing within the Agency. Supervisors' support of employee work/life balance is also reflected by continued high levels of satisfaction among employees.

We plan to continue the focus on developing our managers and supervisors to ensure they have the capacity to carry out their human resources management responsibilities through training, quarterly supervisory forums, and new supervisor orientation. The Agency will also continue to focus on enhancing the Agency's work/life and wellness programs by improving internal programs and flexibilities and partnering with "shared campus" agencies to share resources and offer a broader variety of programs and services to employees. We plan to review internal policies regarding hours of duty and pursue expanded telework capabilities. Another area of emphasis for the Agency will be to develop new and creative approaches to our employee recognition system that will promote an environment that rewards employees for providing high quality products and services to customers and clearly links awards to how well employees perform their jobs.

2. How the survey was conducted

The survey was conducted online from September 19 to October 9, 2009

3. Description of sample

Randomly selected 50% sample of full-time permanent employees

4. Survey items and response choices

See below

5. Number of employees surveyed, number responded and representatives of respondents

See below

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OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
2009 ANNUAL EMPLOYEE SURVEY RESULTS

(Survey Administration Period 9/21/08 to 10/09/08)

Sample or Population: Sample
Number in Sample: 2,138
Surveys Completed: 1,243
Response Rate: 70.7%

* AES prescribed items. Percentages are weighted to be representative of the Agency's population.

Results for Questions 1 - 5

Question		Strongly Agree	Agree	Neither Agree Nor Disagree	Disagree	Strongly Disagree	Do Not Know/ No Basis to Judge	Percent Positive	Total
*1. My work gives me a feeling of personal accomplishment.	N	415	627	112	69	19	NA		1,242
	%	31.2	52.5	9.4	5.4	1.5	NA	83.7	100
*2. I like the kind of work I do.	N	505	577	99	47	12	NA		1,240
	%	40.2	47.0	7.9	4.1	0.8	NA	87.2	100
3. I recommend my organization as a good place to work.	N	310	534	215	118	60	NA		1,237
	%	25.2	44.0	16.5	9.5	4.8	NA	69.2	100
*4. I know how my work relates to the agency's goals and priorities.	N	485	633	78	27	10	8		1,241
	%	37.5	52.8	6.2	2.0	0.8	0.6	90.3	100
*5. The work I do is important.	N	730	430	50	21	5	4		1,240
	%	60.0	34.0	3.7	1.5	0.3	0.4	94.0	100

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Results for Question 6

Question		Very Good	Good	Fair	Poor	Very Poor	Do Not Know/ No Basis to Judge	Percent Positive	Total
*6. Considering everything, how satisfied are you with your job?	N	329	611	146	108	46	NA		1,240
	%	25.6	49.8	11.9	9.2	3.6	NA	75.4	100

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Results for Questions 7 - 10

Question		Strongly Agree	Agree	Neither Agree Nor Disagree	Disagree	Strongly Disagree	Do Not Know/ No Basis to Judge	Percent Positive	Total
*7. The people I work with cooperate to get the job done.	N	379	627	132	73	29	NA		1,240
	%	27.2	52.5	11.7	6.3	2.3	NA	79.8	100
8. Managers promote communication among different work units (for example, about projects, goals, needed resources).	N	191	518	215	191	115	11		1,241
	%	13.2	41.8	18.7	16.1	9.1	1.1	55.0	100
9. Employees in my work unit share job knowledge with each other.	N	365	595	132	111	34	4		1,241
	%	28.0	49.8	10.4	9.1	2.6	0.2	77.8	100
*10. Employees have a feeling of personal empowerment with respect to work processes.	N	123	521	293	192	93	18		1,240
	%	8.7	39.5	25.1	17.0	8.1	1.5	48.2	100

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Results for Questions 11 - 12

Question		Very Good	Good	Fair	Poor	Very Poor	Do Not Know/ No Basis to Judge	Percent Positive	Total
*11. How satisfied are you with your involvement in decisions that affect your work?	N	178	480	284	222	77	NA		1,241
	%	12.2	36.1	24.9	20.4	6.4	NA	48.3	100
*12. How satisfied are you with the recognition you receive for doing a good job?	N	197	447	261	224	112	NA		1,241
	%	13.9	35.0	22.1	20.2	8.8	NA	48.9	100

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Results for Questions 13 - 21

Question		Strongly Agree	Agree	Neither Agree Nor Disagree	Disagree	Strongly Disagree	Do Not Know/ No Basis to Judge	Percent Positive	Total
*13. I am given a real opportunity to improve my skills in my organization.	N	179	488	310	188	77	NA		1,242
	%	12.2	38.3	26.7	16.3	6.5	NA	50.4	100
14. I feel encouraged to come up with new and better ways of doing things.	N	220	455	295	186	83	NA		1,239
	%	14.1	36.3	25.6	17.1	7.0	NA	50.3	100
15. My supervisor/team leader provides employees with the opportunities to demonstrate their leadership skills.	N	246	471	261	140	103	18		1,239
	%	17.6	38.4	22.2	12.2	8.0	1.6	56.0	100
*16. My talents are used well in the workplace.	N	215	522	247	145	108	2		1,239
	%	14.4	42.5	21.9	12.5	8.5	0.2	56.9	100
*17. Promotions in my work unit are based on merit.	N	145	371	310	151	157	105		1,239
	%	9.5	28.4	26.2	13.6	12.9	9.4	37.9	100
*18. Creativity and innovation are rewarded.	N	122	345	388	197	122	64		1,238
	%	7.3	26.2	33.0	17.2	10.3	6.0	33.5	100
*19. Supervisors/team leaders in my work unit support employee development.	N	252	538	236	116	76	20		1,238
	%	18.1	43.3	21.1	10.0	5.8	1.7	61.4	100
20. Employees have electronic access to learning and training programs readily available at their desk.	N	220	595	205	117	42	59		1,238
	%	15.7	49.4	17.1	9.7	3.3	4.8	65.1	100
*21. My training needs are assessed.	N	110	478	324	215	91	19		1,237
	%	7.8	37.5	28.7	16.9	7.2	1.9	45.3	100

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Results for Questions 22 - 23

Question		Very Satisfied	Satisfied	Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied	Dissatisfied	Strongly Dissatisfied	Do Not Know/ No Basis to Judge	Percent Positive	Total
*22. How satisfied are you with your opportunity to get a better job in your organization?	N	100	301	413	253	166	NA		1,233
	%	7.0	24.8	34.0	20.5	13.7	NA	31.8	100
*23.How satisfied are you with the training you receive for your present job?	N	162	506	315	179	79	NA		1,241
	%	11.4	40.6	26.0	15.4	6.7	NA	51.9	100

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Results for Question 24

Question		Strongly Agree	Agree	Neither Agree Nor Disagree	Disagree	Strongly Disagree	Do Not Know/ No Basis to Judge	Percent Positive	Total
*24. I have trust and confidence in my supervisor.	N	390	428	208	111	102	NA		1,239
	%	30.1	34.5	18.0	9.7	7.7	NA	64.6	100

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Results for Questions 25

Question		Very Good	Good	Fair	Poor	Very Poor	Do Not Know/ No Basis to Judge	Percent Positive	Total
*25. Overall, how good a job do you feel is being done by your immediate supervisor/team leader?	N	469	363	267	72	65	NA		1,236
	%	36.1	30.3	22.6	6.2	4.8	NA	66.4	100

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Results for Questions 26 - 30

Question		Strongly Agree	Agree	Neither Agree Nor Disagree	Disagree	Strongly Disagree	Do Not Know/ No Basis to Judge	Percent Positive	Total
*26. I have a high level of respect for my organization's senior leaders.	N	235	458	278	145	104	19		1,239
	%	16.3	37.2	23.3	12.5	9.1	1.6	53.5	100
*27. In my organization, leaders generate high levels of motivation and commitment in the workforce.	N	149	384	329	226	129	23		1,240
	%	9.8	30.5	28.0	18.9	11.1	1.7	40.3	100
28. My organization's leaders maintain high standards of honesty and integrity.	N	250	444	264	104	96	79		1,237
	%	18.2	36.2	21.6	9.3	7.6	7.1	54.4	100
*29. Managers communicate the goals and priorities of the organization.	N	226	622	217	108	53	11		1,237
	%	16.6	51.6	18.5	8.4	3.9	1.0	68.1	100
*30. Managers review and evaluate the organization's progress toward meeting its goals and objectives.	N	230	575	267	61	41	63		1,237
	%	16.8	48.1	22.6	4.6	2.8	5.1	64.9	100

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Results for Questions 31 - 33

Question		Very Satisfied	Satisfied	Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied	Dissatisfied	Strongly Dissatisfied	Do Not Know/ No Basis to Judge	Percent Positive	Total
*31. How satisfied are you with the information you receive from management on what's going on in your organization?	N	160	509	301	197	72	NA		1,239
	%	11.1	41.2	26.0	16.4	5.3	NA	52.3	100
*32. How satisfied are you with the policies and practices of your senior leaders?	N	131	442	394	189	83	NA		1,239
	%	8.9	35.2	33.3	15.5	7.1	NA	44.1	100
33. Considering everything, how satisfied are you with your organization?	N	201	579	247	158	56	NA		1,241
	%	14.5	48.2	19.9	13.0	4.5	NA	62.6	100

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Results for Question 34

Question		Very Good	Good	Fair	Poor	Very Poor	Do Not Know/ No Basis to Judge	Percent Positive	Total
34. How would you rate the overall quality of work done by your work group?	N	641	479	103	17	1	NA		1,241
	%	49.1	40.9	8.7	1.2	0.0	NA	90.0	100

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Results for Questions 35 - 38

Question		Strongly Agree	Agree	Neither Agree Nor Disagree	Disagree	Strongly Disagree	Do Not Know/ No Basis to Judge	Percent Positive	Total
*35. In my work unit, steps are taken to deal with a poor performer who cannot or will not improve.	N	131	342	281	166	126	193		1,239
	%	10.3	27.5	22.3	13.6	9.9	16.3	37.9	100
36. Employees are rewarded for providing high quality products and services.	N	173	470	254	174	89	76		1,236
	%	11.8	38.5	20.2	15.9	7.3	6.3	50.3	100
*37. Pay raises depend on how well employees perform their jobs.	N	107	342	308	217	116	149		1,239
	%	8.3	28.8	23.9	17.8	8.9	12.3	37.1	100
38. Awards in my work unit depend on how well employees perform their jobs.	N	166	407	250	157	109	150		1,239
	%	11.8	32.8	20.2	13.1	8.9	13.2	44.6	100

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Results for Questions 39 - 51

Question		Strongly Agree	Agree	Neither Agree Nor Disagree	Disagree	Strongly Disagree	Do Not Know/ No Basis to Judge	Percent Positive	Total
*39. In my work unit, differences in performance are recognized in a meaningful way.	N	97	295	345	225	122	148		1,232
	%	6.6	22.5	28.7	19.0	10.3	12.8	29.2	100
*40. My performance appraisal is a fair reflection of my performance.	N	246	551	192	120	70	52		1,231
	%	17.3	44.9	17.0	10.8	5.9	4.2	62.2	100
*41. Discussions with my supervisor/team leader about my performance are worthwhile.	N	239	515	235	136	83	25		1,233
	%	17.7	41.9	20.3	11.9	6.3	1.8	59.6	100
42. 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	267	570	174	110	75	44		1,240
	%	19.3	48.1	14.4	9.2	5.8	3.2	67.4	100
43. I am held accountable for achieving results.	N	378	698	129	17	8	10		1,240
	%	29.0	57.9	10.5	1.3	0.6	0.7	86.9	100
44. Supervisors/team leaders provide employees with constructive suggestions to improve their job performance.	N	198	493	286	148	74	40		1,239
	%	14.7	40.2	24.0	12.4	5.7	3.0	54.9	100
45. I have enough information to do my job well.	N	228	698	181	106	30	0		1,243
	%	16.3	57.8	15.3	8.4	2.2	0.0	74.1	100
*46. The workforce has the job-relevant knowledge and skills necessary to accomplish organizational goals.	N	181	690	198	104	27	41		1,241
	%	13.2	57.6	15.7	8.2	2.2	3.2	70.7	100
*47. My work unit is able to recruit people with the right skills.	N	121	456	309	148	81	126		1,241
	%	8.0	35.2	26.1	12.1	6.4	12.3	43.1	100
48. I have sufficient resources (for example, people, materials, budget) to get my job done.	N	143	559	177	218	127	14		1,238
	%	11.3	48.6	14.9	15.3	8.6	1.2	60.0	100
*49. Physical conditions (for example, noise level, temperature, lighting, cleanliness in the workplace) allow employees to perform their jobs well.	N	224	519	187	192	89	29		1,240
	%	16.8	41.7	16.8	14.5	6.6	3.5	58.5	100
*50. Employees are protected from health and safety hazards on the job.	N	224	596	190	112	52	63		1,237
	%	15.6	46.9	17.5	10.3	4.2	5.7	62.4	100
*51. My organization has prepared employees for potential security threats.	N	247	685	193	59	24	32		1,240
	%	16.8	54.5	17.7	5.9	2.1	3.0	71.3	100

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Results for Questions 52

Question		Very Satisfied	Satisfied	Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied	Dissatisfied	Strongly Dissatisfied	Do Not Know/ No Basis to Judge	Percent Positive	Total
*52.Considering everything, how satisfied are you with your pay?	N	279	642	171	120	29	0		1,241
	%	22.6	52.5	12.9	9.7	2.3	0.0	75.1	100

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Results for Questions 53 - 60

Question		Strongly Agree	Agree	Neither Agree Nor Disagree	Disagree	Strongly Disagree	Do Not Know/ No Basis to Judge	Percent Positive	Total
53. My supervisor/team-leader supports diversity in the workplace.	N	343	523	180	47	33	113		1,239
	%	24.0	42.5	16.7	3.6	2.6	10.7	66.5	100
54. Policies and programs promote diversity in the workplace (for example, recruiting minorities and women, training in awareness of diversity issues, mentoring).	N	259	487	226	69	37	164		1,242
	%	18.2	38.9	19.3	5.9	2.8	15.0	57.1	100
*55. Managers/supervisors/team leaders work well with employees of different backgrounds.	N	306	543	194	59	40	98		1,240
	%	21.8	44.0	17.1	4.3	3.1	9.7	65.8	100
56.Arbitrary action, personal favoritism and coercion for partisan political purposes are not tolerated.	N	246	411	252	101	93	133		1,236
	%	17.1	32.8	21.3	9.5	7.7	11.7	49.8	100
57. 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	330	469	175	53	51	164		1,242
	%	23.2	37.7	15.2	4.5	3.9	15.5	60.9	100
58. I can disclose a suspected violation of any law, rule or regulation without fear of reprisal.	N	227	420	249	101	85	160		1,242
	%	16.2	33.2	20.5	9.4	6.7	14.0	49.4	100
*59. My supervisor supports my need to balance work and other life issues.	N	445	539	130	70	43	15		1,242
	%	32.4	45.3	11.1	6.2	3.5	1.5	77.7	100
*60. My workload is reasonable.	N	179	645	182	150	84	1		1,241
	%	12.4	52.9	15.8	12.6	6.2	0.0	65.3	100

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Results for Questions 62a - 62f

Question		Very Satisfied	Satisfied	Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied	Dissatisfied	Strongly Dissatisfied	Do Not Know/ No Basis to Judge	Percent Positive	Total
62a. How satisfied are you with telework/ telecommuting?	N	303	342	197	100	80	218		1,240
	%	24.9	26.2	14.5	7.6	7.3	19.5	51.1	100
62b. How satisfied are you with alternative work schedules (AWS)?	N	492	373	123	34	28	191		1,241
	%	39.7	30.6	10.2	2.5	2.0	14.9	70.3	100
62c. How satisfied are you with Health and Wellness Programs (for example, exercise, medical screening, quit smoking programs)?	N	100	277	259	124	70	409		1,239
	%	6.7	20.2	19.5	10.4	5.9	37.2	27.0	100
62d. How satisfied are you with Employee Assistance Program (EAP)?	N	82	204	238	21	13	681		1,239
	%	5.1	16.6	19.1	1.3	1.1	56.9	21.7	100
62e. How satisfied are you with child care programs (for example, daycare, classes, parenting support groups)?	N	31	48	219	31	30	881		1,240
	%	1.8	3.0	17.4	2.4	2.4	73.0	4.8	100
62f. How satisfied are you with Elder care programs (for example, support groups, speakers)?	N	36	72	236	27	13	856		1,240
	%	2.0	4.2	18.9	2.5	1.2	71.3	6.2	100

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OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
2009 ANNUAL EMPLOYEE SURVEY RESULTS

* AES prescribed items. Percentages for demographic items are not weighted.

(Survey Administration Period 9/21/08 to 10/09/08)

Question	Response	N	%
61. Please select the response below that BEST describes your teleworking situation. (percentages are weighted)	I telework…
	on a regular basis (at least one entire work day a pay period).	445	39.8
	infrequently (less than one entire work day a pay period).	200	12.3
	I do not telework because…
	I have to be physically present on the job (e.g., Law Enforcement Officers, Park Rangers).	93	8.0
	I choose not to telework.	164	12.2
	I am not allowed to, even though I have the kind of job where I can telework.	148	11.9
	there are other issues (e.g., technical, security, etc.) that prevent me from teleworking.	180	15.8
	Total	1,230	100
63. Where do you work?	Headquarters	615	50.0
	Field	616	50.0
	Total	1,231	100
*64. What is your supervisory status?	Non-Supervisor	939	75.8
	Team Leader	124	10.0
	Supervisor	110	8.9
	Manager	36	2.9
	Executive	29	2.3
	Total	1,238	100
*65. Are you:	Male	499	40.6
	Female	731	59.4
	Total	1,230	100
*66. Are you Hispanic or Latino?	Yes	70	5.7
	No	1,152	94.3
	Total	1,222	100
*67. Please select the racial category or categories with which you most closely identify (mark as many as apply.)	American Indian or Alaska Native	10	0.8
	Asian	32	2.7
	Black or African American	301	25.4
	Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander	4	0.3
	White	795	67.1
	Two or more races	43	3.6
	Total	1,185	100
68. What is your age group?	25 and under	32	2.6
	26-29	66	5.4
	30-39	203	16.7
	40-49	346	28.4
	50-59	427	35.0
	60 or older	145	11.9
	Total	1,219	100
69. What is your pay category/grade?	Federal Wage System	1	0.1
	GS 1-6	75	6.1
	GS 7-12	639	51.8
	GS 13-15	487	39.5
	SEs	26	2.1
	Senior Leader (SL) or Scientific or Professional (ST)	2	0.2
	Other	4	0.3
	Total	1,234	100
70. How long have you been with the Federal Government (excluding military service)?	Less than 1 year	15	1.2
	1 to 3 years	155	12.6
	4 to 5 years	89	7.2
	6 to 10 years	194	15.8
	11 to 14 years	103	8.4
	15 to 20 years	141	11.5
	More than 20 years	531	43.2
	Total	1,228	100
71. How long have you been with OPM?	Less than 1 year	41	3.4
	1 to 3 years	266	21.8
	4 to 5 years	312	25.5
	6 to 10 years	189	15.5
	11 to 20 years	166	13.6
	More than 20 years	248	20.3
	Total	1,222	100
72. Are you considering leaving your organization within the next year, and if so, why?	No	824	67.4
	Yes, to retire	79	6.5
	Yes, to take another job within the Federal Government	276	22.6
	Yes, to take another job outside the Federal Government	9	0.7
	Yes, other	35	2.9
	Total	1,223	100
73. I am planning to retire:	Within one year	48	4.0
	Between one and three years	127	10.5
	Between three and five years	125	10.3
	Five or more years	915	75.3
	Total	1,215	100

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