Printer-Friendly Version
The 2008 Annual Employee Survey was conducted by the Office of Personnel Management as part of the Federal Human Capital Survey (FHCS) from August 1 through September 26, 2008. A random sample of 7,099 employees from the Department received the survey. Of those 7,099 surveyed, 4,110 employees responded, resulting in a 57.9% response rate. We thank those who participated in the survey.
1. Interpretation of Results:
The 2008 Annual Employee Survey (AES) results were compared to the results from the 2007 AES. The Department defines as significant an increase or decrease of more than 5%. The survey features five (5) sections, including:
Personal Work Experience Section
DOL showed an increase in positive response in two (2) of the six (6) questions in this section. The most significant increase was for the first question: "The people I work with cooperate to get the job done." 83.5% responded positively, compared to 71.6% from the 2007 survey, reflecting an increase of 11.9%. Responses to the other four (4) questions remained steady.
Recruitment, Development, and Retention Section
The agency's positive ratings remained steady in five (5) out of the eight (8) questions. Three (3) of those questions saw a drop in favorable responses. The most notable decrease was to question #9: "My work unit is able to recruit people with the right skills." 45% responded favorably, compared to 53.6% in the 2007 AES, representing a decrease of 8.6%
Performance Culture Section
Two (2) out of ten (10) questions reflected an increase in satisfaction. Responses to the remaining eight (8) questions remained steady in the positive response rate. The largest increase in favorable responses was to question #24, "Managers/supervisors/team leaders work well with employees of different backgrounds," increasing from 54.2% in the 2007 survey to 63.4% in 2008, an increase of 9.2%.
Leadership Section
Half of the questions in this section showed an increase in favorable responses compared to the 2007 survey. The responses of the other half remained steady. The largest increase was for question #25, "I have a high level of respect for my organization's senior leaders," rising from 43.9% to 50.1%, a 6.2% increase.
Job Satisfaction Section
Three (3) of the questions showed an increase in positive ratings. The other five (5) question response rate in this section remained steady. The most significant increase was for question #35, "How satisfied are you with the recognition you receive for doing a good job?" 52.1% of respondents had a favorable answer compared to the 2007 survey positive response rate of 33.3%, an increase of 18.8%.
2. How the survey was conducted:
The survey was conducted online from August 1, 2008, through September 26, 2008.
3. Description of sample:
A total of 7,099 employees were selected for survey participation.
4. Survey items and response choices:
See the tables on following pages.
5. Number of employees surveyed, number responded, and representativeness of respondents:
Of the sample of 7,099 employees, 4,110 responded for an overall response rate of 57.9%. The respondents are representative of the agency subcomponent populations.
What is your supervisory status? |
% of Respondents |
Non-Supervisor |
57.0 |
Team Leader |
10.4 |
Supervisor |
18.8 |
Manager |
11.2 |
Executive |
2.5 |
Gender |
% of Respondents |
Male |
50.8 |
Female |
49.2 |
Are you Hispanic or Latino? |
% of Respondents |
Yes |
7.2 |
No |
92.8 |
Racial Category |
% of Respondents |
American Indian or Alaska Native |
0.8 |
Asian |
4.0 |
Black or African American |
20.0 |
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander |
0.5 |
White |
71.8 |
Two or more races |
2.9 |
1. The people I work with cooperate to get the job done.
Response |
Frequencies |
Percentage |
Strongly Agree |
1379 |
32.9% |
Agree |
2110 |
50.6% |
Neither Agree nor Disagree |
326 |
8.5% |
Disagree |
229 |
5.9% |
Strongly Disagree |
66 |
2.0% |
2. I am given a real opportunity to improve my skills in my organization.
Response |
Frequencies |
Percentage |
Strongly Agree |
798 |
19.0% |
Agree |
1638 |
38.8% |
Neither Agree nor Disagree |
779 |
19.3% |
Disagree |
626 |
15.7% |
Strongly Disagree |
269 |
7.2% |
3. My work gives me a feeling of personal accomplishment.
Response |
Frequencies |
Percentage |
Strongly Agree |
1241 |
29.6% |
Agree |
1778 |
42.8% |
Neither Agree nor Disagree |
584 |
14.3% |
Disagree |
327 |
8.4% |
Strongly Disagree |
180 |
4.9% |
4. I like the kind of work I do.
Response |
Frequencies |
Percentage |
Strongly Agree |
1572 |
37.7% |
Agree |
1821 |
44.2% |
Neither Agree nor Disagree |
490 |
11.9% |
Disagree |
157 |
4.2% |
Strongly Disagree |
70 |
2.0% |
5. I have trust and confidence in my supervisor.
Response |
Frequencies |
Percentage |
Strongly Agree |
1260 |
30.0% |
Agree |
1426 |
34.1% |
Neither Agree nor Disagree |
658 |
16.3% |
Disagree |
392 |
9.9% |
Strongly Disagree |
374 |
9.7% |
6. Overall, how good a job do you feel is being done by your immediate supervisor/team leader?
Response |
Frequencies |
Percentage |
Very Good |
1417 |
33.9% |
Good |
1393 |
33.4% |
Fair |
763 |
19.0% |
Poor |
294 |
7.4% |
Very Poor |
243 |
6.2% |
7. The workforce has the job-relevant knowledge and skills necessary to accomplish organizational goals.
Response |
Frequencies |
Percentage |
Strongly Agree |
730 |
17.8% |
Agree |
2383 |
57.5% |
Neither Agree nor Disagree |
550 |
13.6% |
Disagree |
329 |
8.0% |
Strongly Disagree |
82 |
2.4% |
8. My supervisor supports my need to balance work and family issues.
Response |
Frequencies |
Percentage |
Strongly Agree |
1632 |
39.2% |
Agree |
1599 |
38.7% |
Neither Agree nor Disagree |
458 |
11.4% |
Disagree |
202 |
5.0% |
Strongly Disagree |
183 |
4.9% |
9. My work unit is able to recruit people with the right skills.
Response |
Frequencies |
Percentage |
Strongly Agree |
457 |
10.8% |
Agree |
1449 |
34.2% |
Neither Agree nor Disagree |
1103 |
27.3% |
Disagree |
633 |
15.7% |
Strongly Disagree |
317 |
8.0% |
10. My workload is reasonable.
Response |
Frequencies |
Percentage |
Strongly Agree |
457 |
11.9% |
Agree |
1879 |
46.8% |
Neither Agree nor Disagree |
683 |
16.3% |
Disagree |
704 |
16.0% |
Strongly Disagree |
366 |
8.4% |
11. My talents are used well in the workplace.
Response |
Frequencies |
Percentage |
Strongly Agree |
685 |
16.2% |
Agree |
1811 |
43.2% |
Neither Agree nor Disagree |
682 |
17.2% |
Disagree |
545 |
13.3% |
Strongly Disagree |
348 |
9.2% |
12. I know how my work relates to the agency's goals and priorities.
Response |
Frequencies |
Percentage |
Strongly Agree |
1403 |
32.9% |
Agree |
2171 |
53.8% |
Neither Agree nor Disagree |
334 |
8.3% |
Disagree |
115 |
2.8% |
Strongly Disagree |
69 |
1.8% |
13. The work I do is important.
Response |
Frequencies |
Percentage |
Strongly Agree |
2118 |
50.7% |
Agree |
1594 |
39.0% |
Neither Agree nor Disagree |
285 |
7.1% |
Disagree |
60 |
1.7% |
Strongly Disagree |
42 |
1.1% |
14. Physical conditions (for example, noise level, temperature, lighting, cleanliness in the workplace) allow employees to perform their jobs well.
Response |
Frequencies |
Percentage |
Strongly Agree |
1038 |
23.8.% |
Agree |
1955 |
47.8% |
Neither Agree nor Disagree |
515 |
13.3% |
Disagree |
380 |
9.3% |
Strongly Disagree |
201 |
5.2% |
15. Promotions in my work unit are based on merit.
Response |
Frequencies |
Percentage |
Strongly Agree |
497 |
10.3% |
Agree |
1324 |
29.8% |
Neither Agree nor Disagree |
909 |
23.9% |
Disagree |
590 |
15.2% |
Strongly Disagree |
620 |
16.0% |
16. In my work unit, steps are taken to deal with a poor performer who cannot or will not improve.
Response |
Frequencies |
Percentage |
Strongly Agree |
274 |
6.1% |
Agree |
1237 |
27.6% |
Neither Agree nor Disagree |
1028 |
25.8% |
Disagree |
748 |
18.6% |
Strongly Disagree |
524 |
13.8% |
17. Employees have a feeling of personal empowerment with respect to work processes.
Response |
Frequencies |
Percentage |
Strongly Agree |
339 |
7.9% |
Agree |
1537 |
35.4% |
Neither Agree nor Disagree |
1113 |
27.5% |
Disagree |
649 |
16.5% |
Strongly Disagree |
366 |
9.9% |
18. Creativity and innovation are rewarded.
Response |
Frequencies |
Percentage |
Strongly Agree |
400 |
8.6% |
Agree |
1292 |
29.0% |
Neither Agree nor Disagree |
1116 |
28.2% |
Disagree |
721 |
18.4% |
Strongly Disagree |
498 |
13.4% |
19. Pay raises depend on how well employees perform their jobs.
Response |
Frequencies |
Percentage |
Strongly Agree |
250 |
5.8% |
Agree |
976 |
23.3% |
Neither Agree nor Disagree |
1174 |
28.5% |
Disagree |
893 |
21.1% |
Strongly Disagree |
623 |
16.1% |
20. In my work unit, differences in performance are recognized in a meaningful way.
Response |
Frequencies |
Percentage |
Strongly Agree |
301 |
6.6% |
Agree |
1162 |
25.8% |
Neither Agree nor Disagree |
1134 |
28.5% |
Disagree |
817 |
20.4% |
Strongly Disagree |
499 |
13.3% |
21. My performance appraisal is a fair reflection of my performance.
Response |
Frequencies |
Percentage |
Strongly Agree |
787 |
18.7% |
Agree |
1846 |
44.5% |
Neither Agree nor Disagree |
648 |
16.0% |
Disagree |
421 |
10.5% |
Strongly Disagree |
344 |
8.8% |
22. Discussions with my supervisor/team leader about my performance are worthwhile.
Response |
Frequencies |
Percentage |
Strongly Agree |
716 |
17.2% |
Agree |
1649 |
39.9% |
Neither Agree nor Disagree |
820 |
19.8% |
Disagree |
475 |
11.6% |
Strongly Disagree |
397 |
10.1% |
23. In my most recent performance appraisal, I understood what I had to do to be rated at different performance levels (e.g., Fully Successful, Outstanding).
Response |
Frequencies |
Percentage |
Strongly Agree |
918 |
21.7% |
Agree |
1776 |
43.8% |
Neither Agree nor Disagree |
611 |
15.0% |
Disagree |
424 |
10.1% |
Strongly Disagree |
292 |
7.2% |
24. Managers/supervisors/team leaders work well with employees of different backgrounds.
Response |
Frequencies |
Percentage |
Strongly Agree |
896 |
20.2% |
Agree |
1832 |
43.2% |
Neither Agree nor Disagree |
721 |
18.7% |
Disagree |
275 |
7.3% |
Strongly Disagree |
268 |
7.4% |
25. I have a high level of respect for my organization's senior leaders.
Response |
Frequencies |
Percentage |
Strongly Agree |
680 |
16.0% |
Agree |
1415 |
34.1% |
Neither Agree nor Disagree |
904 |
22.5% |
Disagree |
589 |
14.5% |
Strongly Disagree |
498 |
12.2% |
26. In my organization, leaders generate high levels of motivation and commitment in the workforce.
Response |
Frequencies |
Percentage |
Strongly Agree |
412 |
9.9% |
Agree |
1165 |
27.2% |
Neither Agree nor Disagree |
1145 |
28.4% |
Disagree |
792 |
19.4% |
Strongly Disagree |
557 |
14.0% |
27. Managers communicate the goals and priorities of the organization.
Response |
Frequencies |
Percentage |
Strongly Agree |
659 |
15.6% |
Agree |
2072 |
49.5% |
Neither Agree nor Disagree |
675 |
17.2% |
Disagree |
409 |
10.2% |
Strongly Disagree |
271 |
6.9% |
28. Managers review and evaluate the organization's progress toward meeting its goals and objectives.
Response |
Frequencies |
Percentage |
Strongly Agree |
700 |
16.5% |
Agree |
2075 |
49.9% |
Neither Agree nor Disagree |
693 |
17.5% |
Disagree |
278 |
6.8% |
Strongly Disagree |
173 |
4.3% |
29. Employees are protected from health and safety hazards on the job.
Response |
Frequencies |
Percentage |
Strongly Agree |
1109 |
24.7% |
Agree |
2176 |
52.8% |
Neither Agree nor Disagree |
484 |
13.8% |
Disagree |
180 |
4.9% |
Strongly Disagree |
120 |
3.4% |
30. My organization has prepared employees for potential security threats.
Response |
Frequencies |
Percentage |
Strongly Agree |
869 |
19.3% |
Agree |
2210 |
53.7% |
Neither Agree nor Disagree |
641 |
16.6% |
Disagree |
220 |
5.7% |
Strongly Disagree |
101 |
2.9% |
31. Supervisors/team leaders in my work unit support employee development.
Response |
Frequencies |
Percentage |
Strongly Agree |
769 |
17.2% |
Agree |
1941 |
45.4% |
Neither Agree nor Disagree |
693 |
18.6% |
Disagree |
418 |
10.9% |
Strongly Disagree |
254 |
6.9% |
32. My training needs are assessed.
Response |
Frequencies |
Percentage |
Strongly Agree |
412 |
9.6% |
Agree |
1400 |
33.6% |
Neither Agree nor Disagree |
1120 |
27.4% |
Disagree |
771 |
18.7% |
Strongly Disagree |
328 |
8.4% |
33. How satisfied are you with your involvement in decisions that affect your work?
Response |
Frequencies |
Percentage |
Very Satisfied |
598 |
13.1% |
Satisfied |
1697 |
40.5% |
Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied |
852 |
22.3% |
Dissatisfied |
714 |
17.8% |
Very Dissatisfied |
249 |
6.4% |
34. How satisfied are you with the information you receive from management on what's going on in your organization?
Response |
Frequencies |
Percentage |
Very Satisfied |
495 |
11.0% |
Satisfied |
1591 |
38.0% |
Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied |
917 |
23.1% |
Dissatisfied |
803 |
20.0% |
Very Dissatisfied |
304 |
8.0% |
35. How satisfied are you with the recognition you receive for doing a good job?
Response |
Frequencies |
Percentage |
Very Satisfied |
636 |
15.1% |
Satisfied |
1555 |
37.0% |
Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied |
835 |
21.1% |
Dissatisfied |
725 |
17.6% |
Very Dissatisfied |
359 |
9.2% |
36. How satisfied are you with the policies and practices of your senior managers?
Response |
Frequencies |
Percentage |
Very Satisfied |
429 |
10.1% |
Satisfied |
1341 |
31.8% |
Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied |
1126 |
28.0% |
Dissatisfied |
772 |
19.0% |
Very Dissatisfied |
442 |
11.1% |
37. How satisfied are you with your opportunity to get a better job in your organization?
Response |
Frequencies |
Percentage |
Very Satisfied |
400 |
9.3% |
Satisfied |
1143 |
26.7% |
Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied |
1249 |
30.8% |
Dissatisfied |
778 |
19.4% |
Very Dissatisfied |
540 |
13.8% |
38. How satisfied are you with the training you receive for your present job?
Response |
Frequencies |
Percentage |
Very Satisfied |
441 |
11.1% |
Satisfied |
1551 |
37.1% |
Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied |
1063 |
25.3% |
Dissatisfied |
731 |
18.3% |
Very Dissatisfied |
324 |
8.3% |
39. Considering everything, how satisfied are you with your job?
Response |
Frequencies |
Percentage |
Very Satisfied |
951 |
23.0% |
Satisfied |
1896 |
45.9% |
Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied |
639 |
15.4% |
Dissatisfied |
433 |
10.7% |
Very Dissatisfied |
191 |
5.1% |
40. Considering everything, how satisfied are you with your pay?
Response |
Frequencies |
Percentage |
Very Satisfied |
794 |
18.8% |
Satisfied |
1965 |
47.5% |
Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied |
672 |
16.6% |
Dissatisfied |
490 |
12.2% |
Very Dissatisfied |
189 |
4.9% |
|