Where Are the Government’s Happiest Senior Executives?

Apparently, your boss is way happier than you are at work, according to a new analysis of senior executives and the rank-the-file from the Partnership for Public Service and Deloitte Consulting LLP. That less-than-shocking news about job satisfaction is based on a review of data from the 2014 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey. The happiness gap doubled when senior executives and employees were asked about performance management, including the fairness of job promotions, recognition for good performance and handling poor performers. 

So, where do the happiest senior executives in government work? At NASA, which last year was also rated the No. 1 place to work in the government among large federal agencies. The Pentagon, however, might want to reassess the morale of its top career brass. The Defense Department’s Office of the Secretary was the only place where senior executives were less satisfied than other employees (51.6 percent versus 58.7 percent in 2014). “In 2012, this was the case as well,” the Partnership analysis said. Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security, which are among the top three largest departments in government, also have a lot of unhappy senior executives.

Below, check out the top five and bottom five largest agencies in government in 2014 based on senior executives’ feedback. More than 4,900 SES members participated in the 2014 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey. For a complete list of agencies and job satisfaction among senior executives, click here.

Most Satisfied Senior Executives

1. NASA
2. Labor Department
3. State Department
4. Environmental Protection Agency
5. Agriculture Department

Least Satisfied Senior Executives

1. Office of the Defense Secretary, Joint Staff, Defense Agencies, and Defense Department Field Activities
2. Veterans Affairs Department
3. Social Security Administration
4. Homeland Security; Air Force Department (tie)
5. Navy Department

(Image via Ollyy / Shutterstock.com)