Youngest, Oldest Feds Most Satisfied

Federal employees who are either just starting their careers or nearing retirement are the most satisfied with their jobs, while those in the middle of their careers have the lowest levels of satisfaction, according to survey results released Thursday.

The 2011 Federal Viewpoint Survey found that 71.6 percent of federal employees under age 25 are satisfied with their jobs, while 73.4 percent of those over age 60 were satisfied. Those numbers were slightly higher than satisfaction levels for those age 26 to 29 (71.2 percent), age 30 to 39 (69.7 percent), age 40 to 49 (70.8 percent) and age 50 to 59 (70.8 percent).

In addition, the youngest employees in government were also the most satisfied with their pay. For example, 65.7 percent of those under age 25 noted satisfaction with pay, compared to 62 percent of those age 26 to 29, 63.5 percent of those age 40 to 49 and 61.6 percent of those age 60 and older.

The survey results also showed that the government has much work to do in differentiating job performance. Still, younger millennials were the most likely to say that performance and compensation are linked and to report satisfaction with recognition and rewards for doing a good job. For example, 62.1 percent of those age 25 and younger said that employees are recognized for providing high quality products and services. That was higher than the percentage for any other age group and exceeded the governmentwide average of 51.5 percent. Nearly 35 percent of workers under age 25 said pay raises were dependent on job performance, compared to the governmentwide average of just 24 percent, the survey found.

Younger millennials also are the most likely to recommend their organization or agency as a good place to work, with 77.7 percent saying they would do so, compared to 71.5 percent of those age 26 to 29 and just 67.6 percent of those age 50 to 59, the survey found.

The government still lacks in rewarding employees for creativity and innovation, a view that was supported by all age groups, the survey found. Only 46.2 percent of those under 25 said innovation was rewarded, compared to 41.3 percent of those age 26 to 29 and just 42.7 percent of those age 60 and older.

On telework programs, 41.4 percent of those age 25 and under said they were satisfied, compared to 40.5 percent of those age 26 to 29 and 38.1 percent of those age 60 and older. The youngest feds gave their senior leaders the most credit for supporting work/life balance, however, with 83.2 percent saying their senior leaders support the need for work/life balance, compared to the governmentwide average of 77.2 percent giving their senior leaders a positive review on work/life balance.

There also was a disconnect among age groups when asked whether managers support collaboration across work units to accomplish work objectives. For example, 69.7 percent of those age 25 and younger said their managers support collaboration, compared to 62.2 percent of those age 26 to 29 and an average of 58 percent for all other age groups.