Federal employees satisfied with supervisors
Almost 70 percent of employees in the 2004 Federal Human Capital Survey praised the work of their immediate supervisors, and another 70 percent said their performance appraisals were fair.
Federal employees have confidence in their supervisors and generally are happy with their performance appraisals, according to a survey released Thursday by the Office of Personnel Management.
The 2004 Federal Human Capital Survey questioned more than 147,000 federal employees and found that federal workers believe they are involved in important work and are mostly pleased with the performance evaluation process.
In the 88-question survey, employees were given statements about the federal workforce and asked if they "strongly agree," "agree," "neither agree nor disagree," "disagree," "strongly disagree" or "do not know".
The Bush administration is overhauling the personnel systems at the Defense and Homeland Security departments in an effort to increase the emphasis on performance pay and accountability. Federal workers, however, praised current performance management efforts. In the survey, about 70 percent of employees agreed or strongly agreed that "my performance appraisal is a fair reflection of my performance." Only 14 percent of employees disagreed or strongly disagreed with that statement.
Almost 50 percent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that "awards in my work unit depend on how well employees perform their jobs." About 26 percent of employees said they either disagreed or strongly disagreed with that statement.
Similarly, 40 percent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that "in my work unit, personnel decisions are based on merit," while less than 27 percent disagreed or strongly disagree.
More than 80 percent of employees agreed or strongly agreed with the statement, "I am held accountable for achieving results." About 5 percent disagreed or strongly disagreed.
In a different series of questions in the survey, nearly 70 percent of employees said their immediate supervisor does a "good" or "very good" job. Only 12 percent said their supervisor does a "poor" or "very poor" job.
Employees showed concern, however, about measures that are in place to deal with poor performers. About 36 percent of employees disagreed or strongly disagreed that "in my work unit, steps are taken to deal with a poor performer who cannot or will not improve." About 32 percent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed with that statement.
Results also were more balanced on overall agency leadership. While almost 40 percent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that their agency leaders "generate high levels of motivation and commitment," more than 32 percent disagreed or strongly disagreed.