Issues with the working environment—in particular the political environment, senior agency leadership and general organizational culture—are the leading reasons that SES members leave government, according to an OPM report.
Other top reasons, in descending order, included a desire to enjoy life without work commitments, lack of recognition for accomplishments, stress on the job, and a more attractive job elsewhere, said the report, based on exit surveys of execs leaving between April 2013 and July 2014.
Of those resigning or retiring, half expect to continue to work, or at least to look for work, only 27 percent said they do not plan to work and the remainder were undecided.Among those who expect or hope to keep working, 71 percent want to work full-time and 59 percent expect to earn more than they made as anSESer, it said.
Those planning to work most commonly were looking for employment with a private company other than a government contractor, with self-employment, work for a non-profit organization and work with a government contractor following in order.
In many cases their own plans for the transition were more definite than those of their agency. Only 40 percent said their agency had a formal succession plan for executives and only slightly above half said the agency made any effort to involve them in preparing for a succession after they had announced their intent to leave.