UPDATED: Survey: OPM employees like what they do

The Office of Personnel Management has reported an uptick in the way OPM employees feel about their work based on the results of its latest annual employee survey. The agency cited positive responses in 93 percent of the 74 survey questions.For example, 75 percent of the nearly 3,000 OPM employees who responded to the survey agreed that their work gives them a sense of personal accomplishment, and 84 percent said they like the kind of work they do. Sixty-two percent said that their workloads are reasonable, and 65 percent said they would recommend OPM as a good place to work. Many respondents, 70 percent, also agreed that they have enough information to do their jobs well. Another 70 percent reported they feel encouraged to come up with new and better ways of doing things, though fewer than half — 39 percent — felt that creativity and innovation were rewarded. Overall, OPM managers got solid ratings in the survey: 72 percent of respondents reported that they have trust and confidence in their supervisors, and 74 percent agreed that their managers communicate goals and priorities. In addition, 81 percent of employees agreed that their supervisors support their need to balance work and family issues; and 62 percent said their supervisors provide opportunities for employees to demonstrate leadership skills. Employees were less positive about questions related to pay and performance. For example, only 40 percent of awards in their work units depend on how well employees perform their jobs, and 37 percent said differences in performance are recognized in a meaningful way. However, 67 percent felt that their performance appraisals were a fair reflection of their performance; the same percentage said that discussions with their supervisors about their performance were worthwhile. On work/life issues, only 23 percent said they were satisfied with health and wellness, employee assistance, elder care and other support programs. Just over half, 51 percent, said they were satisfied with OPM's telework program. OPM conducted the online survey between Oct. 29 and Nov. 20.