While the proportion of under-40 federal workers is relatively low, they are about as engaged in their work as those of other age groups, based on measures generated by the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey, GAO said.
The overall 2015 positive rate on the “employee engagement index” OPM calculates based on responses to certain questions was 63.8 for those under 40, only slightly lower than the 64.2 for those that age and older. The highest rate for any age group actually was for those age 25 and under, 70.8, while those between 26 and 29 had the second-highest, 65.1.
GAO said the key drivers of employee engagement—which is strongly associated not only with work performance but with retention–are constructive performance conversations, career development and training, work-life balance, inclusive work environment, employee involvement, and communication from management.
Those under 40 have generally lower views of their overall work experience, it said, while having slightly higher views of their supervisors.
“What matters most in improving engagement levels across all age groups is valuing employees—that is, an authentic focus on their performance, career development, and inclusion and involvement in decisions affecting their work. The key is identifying what practices to implement and how to implement them, which can and should come from multiple sources—FEVS and other data sources, other agencies, and OPM,” it said.
