MSPB Finds Levels of Engagement Vary

About a third of federal employees are "fully engaged" in their jobs, another half or somewhat engaged and about 17 percent are not engaged, MSPB has said in an analysis of prior surveys it conducted. It looked at responses to questions regarding pride in one’s work or workplace, satisfaction with leadership, opportunity to perform well at work, satisfaction with the recognition received, prospects for future personal and professional growth and a positive work environment with some focus on teamwork. First-level supervisors are especially important in setting the tone, MSPB said, adding that engaged employees have a much more positive view of their supervisors’ management skills than do employees who are not engaged. MSPB said that high levels of engagement correlated with higher performance by agencies on program evaluations, employees being less likely to leave an agency, lower levels of sick leave use, lower levels of equal employment opportunity complaints, and lower levels of missed time due to work-related injuries or illnesses.