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%

Results for Questions 1 - 71, 79 - 84
Question			Percent Positive	Strongly Agree	Agree	Neither Agree Nor Disagree	Disagree	Strongly Disagree	Item 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
*1.		%	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
2.	I have enough information to do my job well.	%	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
3.		%	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
*4.	My work gives me a feeling of personal accomplishment.	%	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
*5.	I like the kind of work I do.	%	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
6.	I know what is expected of me on the job.	%	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
7.		%	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
8.	I am constantly looking for ways to do my job better.	%	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
9.		%	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
*10.	My workload is reasonable.	%	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
*11.	My talents are used well in the workplace.	%	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
*12.		%	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
*13.	The work I do is important.	%	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
*14.		%	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
*15.		%	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
16.	I am held accountable for achieving results.	%	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
17.		%	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
*18.	My training needs are assessed.	%	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
*19.		%	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
*20.	The people I work with cooperate to get the job done.	%	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
*21.		%	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
*22.	Promotions in my work unit are based on merit.	%	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
*23.		%	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
*24.		%	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
25.		%	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
26.		%	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
27.		%	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
28.		%	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
*29.		%	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
*30.		%	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
31.		%	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
*32.	Creativity and innovation are rewarded.	%	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
*33.	Pay raises depend on how well employees perform their jobs.	%	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
34.		%	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
*35.		%	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
*36.		%	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
37.		%	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
38.		%	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
39.	My agency is successful at accomplishing its mission.	%	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
40.	I recommend my organization as a good place to work.	%	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
41.		%	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
*42.		%	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
43.		%	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
*44.		%	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
45.		%	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
46.		%	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
*47.	Supervisors in my work unit support employee development.	%	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
48.	My supervisor listens to what I have to say.	%	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
49.	My supervisor treats me with respect.	%	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
50.		%	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
*51.	I have trust and confidence in my supervisor.	%	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
*52.		%	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
*53.		%	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
54.		%	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
*55.		%	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
*56.		%	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
*57.		%	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.		%	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
59.		%	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
60.		%	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
*61.		%	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
62.	Senior leaders demonstrate support for Work/Life programs.	%	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
*63.		%	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
*64.		%	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
*65.		%	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
*66.		%	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
*67.		%	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
*68.		%	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
*69.		%	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
*70.		%	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
71.		%	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? Telework	N		1,299	841	189	101	33	2,463	67
79.		%	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
80.		%	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
81.		%	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
82.		%	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
83.		%	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
84.		%	75.10	35.35	39.75	23.86	1.04	0.00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Demographics A
Question	Response	N	%
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

Demographics B
Question	Response	N	%
*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

Demographics C
Question	Response	N	%
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

Demographics D
Question	Response	N	%
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

Demographics E
Question	Response	N	%
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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