Hiring, promotions and award policies are among the aspects
of working life producing the greatest dissatisfaction
among Army civilian employees and supervisors, according
to recently released tabulations of a survey conducted by
the Army in 2003.
The statements “I am satisfied with the processes used to
fill vacancies to this installation/activity” and “When
promotions are made at this installation’/activity, the
best-qualified people are selected” each drew unfavorable
responses from 43 percent of employees and favorable
responses from only 29 and 26 percent. Those questions
also were among those to which supervisors responded the
most negatively, with 34 percent unfavorable responses
versus 43 percent favorable to the former question and 26
versus 47 percent to the latter.
Only 30 percent of employees agreed or strongly agreed
with the statement “Employees at this installation/activity
are treated fairly with regard to job placement and
promotions.” Questions on equal chances to compete for
promotions and management rewarding employees who show
initiative and innovation also drew favorable responses
from only about 40 percent of employees.
Among supervisors, following the process used to fill
vacancies the lowest level of satisfaction focused on the
provision of career counseling, the timeliness of management
decisions, rewards to employees who show initiative and
innovation, the quality of candidates referred for vacancies
in their units, and the selection of the best-qualified
candidates for promotions.
