4 Reasons to Take the Survey

Real change in the workplace comes from the bottom up. Each employee has important feedback to give and now is the time for your voice to be heard.

The Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey provides senior leaders and managers with data that shows what works well and what needs to be improved within each agency.

I know some federal employees aren’t really sure why they should take the survey. Here are four things you should know about why it’s important to participate.

1. Your voice is important. The FEVS asks for your opinion on a wide range of topics, such as training, job satisfaction, performance appraisals, work-life programs, and management. Agencies use this valuable information to improve their organizations.

2. Your responses are confidential. Individual FEVS responses cannot be linked back to you. No one -- not even your supervisor -- will know how you answered. The reason we insist on confidentiality is we need your candid and unfiltered feedback.

3. Your participation matters. The FEVS is sent to a sample of employees, so not every federal worker gets a survey every year. If you received one this year, your participation is important and will serve as a crucial voice for employees like you. If you’re not sure if you received an invitation, look for an email from OPM.

4. You will have an impact. Leaders across the government pay close attention to FEVS scores. Thanks to new tools from the Office of Personnel Management, including an online tool called Unlocktalent.gov, agency leaders can use the results in new and significant ways. With Unlocktalent.gov, they can slice and dice the data in ways that give them insights at every level of the agency, even individual offices.

I know you work hard to get the job done each and every day. You’re the expert in understanding what it’s like to work for your agency. So, tell us what’s working and what’s not. The survey is open until early June. Your responses will help us continue to build a world-class workforce that serves the needs of the American people.

( Image via SidlikS / Shutterstock.com )