Introduction
In accordance with Annual Employee Survey (AES) regulations (5 CFR Part 250; Subpart C - Employee Surveys), the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) posts annual Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) results and this brief evaluation highlighting our employee engagement data and strategic approach.
The Office of Personnel Management Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (OPM FEVS) is an organizational climate survey and assesses how employees jointly experience the policies, practices, and procedures characteristic of their agency and its leadership. In 2021, to be responsive to changing needs and gain insights about managing during a continued crisis, OPM streamlined the content of the FEVS to focus on 44 core questions and 13 pandemic response questions.
In partnership with DOL’s FEVS/Engagement Community of Practice, the Division of Worklife and Engagement within the Office of Human Resources works with DOL leaders to review and analyze results to: identify DOL's strengths and challenges; communicate results to all levels within the Department; provide guidance for the completion of engagement and diversity-focused actions within Agency Management Plans; and determine a DOL-wide engagement strategy for maximum organizational effectiveness and enhancements.
Results Highlights
OPM administered the FEVS between November 1, 2021 and December 3, 2021 to all eligible (N=13,141) full time and part time, permanent DOL employees onboard as of April 30, 2021. A total of 6,872 surveys were completed, yielding a response rate of 52.3%, which was lower than the previous year’s rate of 56.4%, but once again much higher than the government-wide response rate of 34% and the Large Agency response rate of 43.7%.
DOL vs. Government FEVS Response Rates
| Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey Year | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DOL Response Rate | 52% | 56% | 59% | 56% | 60% |
| Government Response Rate | 34% | 44% | 43% | 41% | 46% |
DOL’s 2021 results show that 35 survey items were identified as “Strengths” by OPM, with positive responses of 65% or higher and no items were identified as “Challenges,” with negative responses of 35% or higher.
DOL FEVS Index Scores
Employee Engagement Index
|
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
2018 |
2017 |
|
76% |
73% |
68% |
68% |
70% |
In 2021, we’d like to highlight the increases we achieved in the Employee Engagement Index Sub-Categories:
| Leaders Lead | 66% - Up 4% from 2020 |
| Supervisors | 76% - Up 1% from 2020 |
| Intrinsic Work Experience | 84% - Up 4% from 2020 |
Global Satisfaction Index
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
2018 |
2017 |
70% |
70% |
65% |
65% |
68% |
Performance Confidence Index
2021 |
|---|
90% |
DOL’s consistent increase in positive responses to FEVS indices and questions over the past few years, especially from 2020 to 2021, indicate that our people-focused organization is on the right path to ensuring the Department remains a best place to work and that employees are fulfilling Secretary Walsh’s vision to empower all workers morning, noon, and night with the good jobs, equity, and care that they need to thrive. At DOL, we act on employee feedback and encourage employees to actively participate in improving our workplaces.
Engagement@Labor
DOL continues to focus on strategies to strengthen and improve our culture and engagement metrics across the Department. As we actively support improvement strategies, both at the Departmental and the agency levels, DOL prioritizes an environment of excellence and leaders that support all workers and allows each employee to contribute to their fullest potential and impacts the world of work. We will continue to partner with the DOL Engagement/FEVS Community of Practice, Employee Affinity Groups, Equity@DOL Council, and Unions to further improve employee engagement, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, and employee development opportunities across the Department.