OPM’s research consistently shows a strong relationship between response rates and employee belief that leadership will take action. Image: FAMILY STOCK/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffThe annual Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey will be sent out in two phases a week apart in mid-May, OPM has told agencies, calling the survey “one of the most powerful platforms for federal employees to have a voice in sharing their work experience, critical to achieving effective agencies and responsive public service in times of significant change and adaptation.”
Last year’s survey showed a slight improvement in indexes of employee engagement and satisfaction, which are generated from responses to several long-running questions related those topics; they are widely — although not officially — seen as an indicator of morale.
The engagement score of 72 matched that of 2020, after slipping to 71 in 2021 and 2022; it had been 68 in both 2018 and 2019. The overall satisfaction score of 64 was up by 2 points over 2022, matching the 2021 score; in 2018-2020, it had been 64, 65 and 69.
A “performance confidence” index measure of views of the individual work unit remained 84 — matching the two prior years but three points below the level of the initial year, 2020 — while a measure of views of agency DEIA programs rose to 71, two points above the level of the initial measure in the 2022 survey.
As it has in similar past announcements ahead of sending the survey, OPM’s memo asked agencies to encourage employees to participate, such as by giving employees time to fill it out during working hours. The response rate had slipped from 44 percent in 2020 to 34 and 35 percent the following two years before climbing to 39 percent last year.
Says the memo, “OPM’s research consistently shows a strong relationship between response rates and employee belief that leadership will take action on the feedback they provide through the FEVS. Taking action begins with results sharing. Cascade the results throughout your agency; ensure reports are distributed to managers, supervisors, and employees at all levels of your agency as soon as possible.”
Agency-by-agency rankings from the FEVS are a main part of the annual Best Places to Work in Government rankings from the Partnership for Public Service. Agencies near the top of those rankings typically tout their results in recruiting and other public outreach, while those scoring near the bottom commonly find themselves under greater scrutiny from Capitol Hill.
Results typically are released in late October to early November.
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