2007 FEMA Employee Survey
Release Date: April 18, 2008
Release Number: HQ-08-061Factsheet
In October 2007 DHS conducted the first department-wide employee survey to measure job satisfaction and agency performance. The survey asked employees about their perceptions of DHS organizational accomplishments, workforce management, agency goals, leadership and communications. Survey findings will be used to sharpen policies and programs for continued improvement.
Of the 141,425 DHS employees surveyed across its 13 organizational components, more than 65,000 responded, including 1,273 from FEMA. The DHS-wide response rate was 47 percent; FEMAs response rate was 42 percent. The survey was administered electronically from October 26 through December 21, 2007. The sample was designed to ensure representative survey results would be reported by component and supervisory status (i.e., non-supervisory, supervisors and managers, and executives) as well as for the overall DHS workforce.
Survey Methodology
Questionnaire: The survey included a total of 78 items/subitems 45 OPM prescribed items (40 survey questions and 5 demographic items), 5 additional demographic questions, and 28 DHS agency specific items. The survey was estimated to take 15 minutes or less to complete.
Sample and Survey Administration: The survey included a census of all permanent civilian DHS employees as of August 2007 a total of 141,425 employees were included in the survey sample. The survey was administered electronically from October 26 through December 21. Weekly reminders were emailed to all eligible nonrespondents to the survey. Technical support was provided via email and telephone to employees with questions or comments about the survey.
Survey Items and Response Choices: Three 5-point Likert-type response scales were used in the survey: (a) Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree; (b) Very Satisfied, Satisfied, Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied, Dissatisfied, Very Dissatisfied; (c) Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor, Very Poor. For questions 6 through 31 of the survey, respondents had the additional option of answering Do Not Know or No Basis to Judge.
Summary of FEMA Results
FEMA rated higher than DHS overall on positive responses to all four major indices: Leadership and Knowledge Management, Results-Oriented Performance Culture, Talent Management and Job Satisfaction:
- Leadership & Knowledge Management: the extent to which employees hold leadership in high regard (FEMA 49 percent, DHS 48 percent)
- Results-Oriented Performance Culture: the extent to which employees believe agency culture promotes improvements in process, products and services and organizational outcomes (FEMA 50 percent, DHS 44 percent)
- Talent Management: the extent to which employees believe the agency has the talent required to accomplish its organizational goals (FEMA 51 percent, DHS 49 percent)
- Job Satisfaction: the extent to which employees are satisfied with their jobs (FEMA 61 percent, DHS 58 percent)
Overall, FEMA employees strongly believe in, understand, and are committed to their work:
- The work I do is important (92.1 %)
- I know how my work relates to the agencys goals and priorities (82.3%)
- I like the work I do (84.4%,)
- The people I work with cooperate to get the job done (77.5%)
- My work gives me a feeling of personal accomplishment (72.2%)
FEMA employees reported a need for improvement in areas related to training, work-life programs, performance recognition, resources, management-to-employee communication and ability of agency leaders to generate workforce motivation and commitment.
Comparison to 2006 Results
Though not strictly comparable, the FEMA survey report provides a comparison of employee responses to the 2007 DHS survey with employee responses to a 2006 employee survey conducted by the Office of Personnel Management. Most differences in responses between the two years were not statistically significant. Statistically significant positive responses appeared in several areas:
- 57.4 percent of employees believed their talents were well-used in the workplace in 2007 compared to only 51.8 percent in 2006
- 40 percent of employees believed that creativity and innovation were rewarded in 2007 compared to 33.8 percent in 2006
- 34.1 percent believed differences in performance were recognized in a meaningful way in 2007 compared to 22 percent in 2006
- 42.1 percent reported a high respect for senior leaders in 2007 compared to 36.4 percent in 2006
- 59.7 percent believed their workload was reasonable in 2007 compared to 50 percent in 2006
- 48 percent said managers communicate the goals and priorities of the organization in 2007 compared to 42 percent in 2006
Satisfaction declined in one area in 2007 compared with 2006. In 2006, 44.5 percent of employees said they were satisfied with their involvement in decisions that affect their work compared to only 34.3 percent in 2007.
Last Modified: Friday, 18-Apr-2008 13:46:16