About the National Archives

2004 Federal Human Capital Survey

NARA vs. Government-Wide Positive Responses*

NARA
%
Positive		 Gov't
%
Positive		 NARA
+/-
PERSONAL WORK EXPERIENCES, ITEMS 1-11
1 The people I work with cooperate to get the job done 84 85 -1
2 I am given a real opportunity to improve my skills in my organization 60 63 -3
3 I have enough information to do my job well 73 74 -1
4 I feel encouraged to come up with new and better ways of doing things 57 60 -3
5 My job makes good use of my skills and abilities 61 67 -6
6 My work gives me a feeling of personal accomplishment 67 71 -4
7 I like the kind of work I do 77 83 -6
8 I recommend my organization as a good place to work 55 64 -9
9 Overall, how good a job do you feel is being done by your immediate supervisor/team leader? 65 65 --
10 How would you rate the overall quality of work done by your work group? 83 83 --
11 How would you rate your organization as a place to work compared to other organizations? 49 56 -7
RECRUITMENT, DEVELOPMENT, & RETENTION, ITEMS 12-22
12 The workforce has the job-relevant knowledge and skills necessary to accomplish organizational goals 70 74 -4
13 My supervisor supports my need to balance work and family issues 79 79 --
14 Supervisors/team leaders in my work unit provide employees with the opportunities to demonstrate their leadership skills 53 60 -7
15 My work unit is able to recruit people with the right skills 45 44 +1
16 The skill level in my work unit has improved in the past year 51 51 --
17 I have sufficient resources (for example, people, materials, budget) to get my job done 57 50 +7
18 My workload is reasonable 64 60 +4
19 My talents are used well in the workplace 57 62 -5
20 I know how my work relates to the agency’s goals and priorities 84 83 +1
21 The work I do is important 89 91 -2
22 Physical conditions (for example, noise level, temperature, lighting, cleanliness in the workplace) allow employees to perform their jobs well 63 67 -4
PERFORMANCE CULTURE, ITEMS 23-28
23 Promotions in my work unit are based on merit 34 34 --
24 In my work unit, steps are taken to deal with a poor performer who cannot or will not improve 31 27 +4
25 Products and services in my work unit are improved based on customer/public input 47 46 +1
26 Employees have a feeling of personal empowerment with respect to work processes 34 43 -9
27 High-performing employees in my work unit are recognized or rewarded on a timely basis 50 43 +7
28 Employees are rewarded for providing high-quality products and services to customers 46 42 +4
29 Creativity and innovation are rewarded 31 36 -5
30 Awards in my work unit depend on how well employees perform their jobs 51 42 +9
31 In my work unit, differences in performance are recognized in a meaningful way 30 29 +1
32 In my work unit, personnel decisions are based on merit 31 32 -1
33 My performance appraisal is a fair reflection of my performance 63 67 -3
34 Discussions with my supervisor/team leader about my performance are worthwhile 56 58 -2
35 I am held accountable for achieving results 82 80 +2
36 Supervisors/team leaders in my work unit are committed to a workforce representative of all segments of society 51 54 -3
37 Policies and programs promoted diversity in the workplace (for example, recruiting minorities and women, training in awareness of diversity issues, mentoring) 51 57 -6
38 Managers/supervisors/team leaders work well with employees of different backgrounds 56 64 -8
LEADERSHIP, ITEMS 39-49
39 I have a high level of respect for my organization’s senior leaders 49 50 -1
40 In my organization, leaders generate high levels of motivation and commitment in the workforce 35 37 -2
41 My organization’s leaders maintain high standards of honesty and integrity 44 49 -5
42 Managers communicate the goals and priorities of the organization 62 60 +2
43 Managers review and evaluate the organization’s progress toward meeting its goals and objectives 65 57 +8
44 Employees are protected from health and safety hazards on the job 64 75 -11
45 My organization has prepared employees for potential security threats 62 74 -12
46 Complaints, disputes or grievances are resolved fairly in my work unit 36 39 -3
47 Arbitrary action, personal favoritism and coercion for partisan political purposes are not tolerated 46 47 -1
48 Prohibited Personnel Practices (for example, illegally discriminating for or against any employee/applicant, obstructing a person’s right to compete for employment, knowingly violating veteran’s preference requirements) are not tolerated 59 60 -1
49 I can disclose a suspected violation of any law, rule or regulation without fear of reprisal 44 48 -4
LEARNING (KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT), ITEMS 50-58
50 Supervisors/team leaders provide employees with constructive suggestions to improve their job performance 58 58 --
51 Supervisors/team leaders in my work unit support employee development 65 65 --
52 Employees have electronic access to learning and training programs readily available at their desks 55 71 -16
53 My training needs are assessed 48 51 -3
54 I receive the training I need to perform my job 60 60 --
55 Managers promote communication among different work units (for example, about projects, goals, needed resources) 45 52 -7
56 Employees in my work unit share job knowledge with each other 73 75 -2
57 Employees use information technology (for example, intranet, shared networks) to perform work 79 86 -7
58 Employees use information technology (for example, intranet, shared networks) to gather and share knowledge 73 81 -8
JOB SATISFACTION, ITEMS 59-67
59 How satisfied are you with your involvement in decisions that affect your work? 49 52 -3
60 How satisfied are you with the information you receive from management on what’s going on in your organization? 46 46 --
61 How satisfied are you with the recognition you receive for doing a good job? 50 49 +1
62 How satisfied are you with the policies and practices of your senior leaders? 39 40 -1
63 How satisfied are you with your opportunity to get a better job in you organization? 29 35 -6
64 How satisfied are you with the training you receive for your present job? 51 55 -4
65 Considering everything, how satisfied are you with your job? 63 68 -5
66 Considering everything, how satisfied are you with your pay? 55 62 -7
67 Considering everything, how satisfied are you with your organization? 53 57 -4
SATISFACTION WITH BENEFITS, ITEMS 68-78
68 How satisfied are you with retirement benefits? 61 65 -4
69 How satisfied are you with health insurance benefits? 54 56 -2
70 How satisfied are you with life insurance benefits? 59 62 -3
71 How satisfied are you with long term care insurance benefits? 37 33 +4
72 How satisfied are you with the flexible spending account (FSA) program? 30 30 --
73 How satisfied are you with paid vacation time? 84 88 -4
74 How satisfied are you with paid leave for illness (for example, personal), including family care situations (for example, childbirth/adoption or elder care)? 85 86 -1
75 How satisfied are you with child care subsidies? 13 13 -1
76 How satisfied are you with work/life programs (for example, health and wellness, employee assistance, elder care, and support groups)? 40 35 +5
77 How satisfied are you with telework/telecommuting? 23 25 -2
78 How satisfied are you with alternative work schedules? 65 54 +11

The percentages in this report reflect the "weighted results" of the 2004 Federal Human Capital Survey as calculated and reported by the United States Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

About the National Archives >

The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration
1-86-NARA-NARA or 1-866-272-6272