U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board 2016 Annual Employee Survey Results (From the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey) 

1. Interpretation of results: An analysis of MSPB’s 2016 Annual Employee Survey results indicate that employees continue to be committed to 

the work that we do and understand their role in accomplishing the agency’s goals and priorities. For 2016, the largest increase in percent 

positive among the 71 core questions was 4 percent for policies and programs promoting diversity in the workplace. 

Unfortunately, the percent positive response for several questions decreased from 2015. These questions included topics such as policies and 

practices of senior leaders, skill level in the work unit, and ability to recruit people with the right skills. The decreases may be due in part to the 

direct and residual effects from the IT outage in June 2015, and continuing issues with IT stability and connectivity. Skills levels may be 

temporarily affected by the recent departure of several highly experienced employees. 

2. How the survey was conducted: The web-based 2016 FEVS was administered from May 3, 2016 to June 14, 2016. An invitation to participate 

in the survey was sent via e-mail to the entire sample. 

3. Description of sample: All of MSPB’s permanent part- or full-time career civil service employees on-board as of October 30, 2015 were 

invited to participate in the survey. (Political appointees and Schedule C employees were not invited to participate.)

4. Number of employees surveyed, number responded, and representativeness of respondents: The survey was distributed to 200 MSPB 

employees and 141 employees participated yielding an overall response rate of 71%. Due to MSPB’s small size, MSPB survey results are not 

linked to specific agency offices nor to demographic data beyond duty location (field or HQ) and bargaining unit status. These data have not yet 

been made available to MSPB.

5. The survey items and responses calculated as percentages for each response choice are attached.
Merit Systems Protection Board Core FEVS Survey Questions FY 2016

Item Item Text

Percent

Positive

%

Strongly

Agree/

Very

Good/

Very

Satisfied

%

Agree/

Good/

Satisfied

%

Neither

Agree nor

Disagree/

Fair/

Neither

Satisfied

nor

Dissatisfied

%

Disagree/

Poor/

Dissatisfied

%

Strongly

Disagree/

Very Poor/

Very

Dissatisfied

%

Percent

Negative

%

Strongly

Agree/

Very

Good/

Very

Satisfied

N

Agree/

Good/

Satisfied

N

Neither

Agree nor

Disagree/

Fair/

Neither

Satisfied

nor

Dissatisfied

N

Disagree/

Poor/

Dissatisfied

N

Strongly

Disagree/

Very Poor/

Very

Dissatisfied

N

Item

Response

Total**

N

Do Not

Know/

No

Basis to

Judge

N

1 *I am given a real opportunity to

improve my skills in my organization. 74.39% 25.74% 48.64% 11.26% 10.02% 4.33% 14.35% 36 69 16 14 6 141 N/A

2 I have enough information to do my job

well. 85.14% 31.08% 54.06% 8.13% 3.77% 2.95% 6.72% 42 75 11 5 4 137 N/A

3 I feel encouraged to come up with new

and better ways of doing things. 53.48% 24.51% 28.96% 21.27% 18.08% 7.17% 25.25% 34 41 30 25 10 140 N/A

4 *My work gives me a feeling of personal

accomplishment. 80.37% 31.79% 48.58% 9.34% 4.56% 5.73% 10.29% 44 68 13 6 8 139 N/A

5 *I like the kind of work I do.

86.85% 40.40% 46.45% 9.49% 2.22% 1.44% 3.66% 56 65 13 3 2 139 N/A

6 I know what is expected of me on the

job. 86.24% 36.30% 49.94% 6.45% 4.29% 3.02% 7.30% 49 69 9 6 4 137 N/A

7 When needed I am willing to put in the

extra effort to get a job done. 97.23% 71.61% 25.62% 0.65% 0.73% 1.39% 2.12% 100 36 1 1 2 140 N/A

8 I am constantly looking for ways to do

my job better. 92.74% 50.03% 42.71% 6.56% 0.00% 0.70% 0.70% 70 60 9 0 1 140 N/A

9 I have sufficient resources (for example,

people, materials, budget) to get my job

done.

50.98% 13.07% 37.91% 14.89% 25.82% 8.31% 34.13% 18 53 21 37 12 141 0

10 *My workload is reasonable.

56.05% 17.93% 38.12% 16.62% 17.06% 10.28% 27.33% 24 53 23 24 14 138 0

11 *My talents are used well in the

workplace. 68.93% 20.46% 48.48% 11.75% 12.65% 6.66% 19.31% 27 67 16 17 9 136 0

12 *I know how my work relates to the

agency's goals and priorities. 92.24% 44.94% 47.30% 3.50% 2.82% 1.44% 4.26% 62 66 5 4 2 139 0

13 *The work I do is important.

92.19% 53.00% 39.19% 5.76% 1.35% 0.70% 2.05% 74 55 8 2 1 140 1

14 *Physical conditions (for example, noise

level, temperature, lighting, cleanliness

in the workplace) allow employees to

perform their jobs well.

83.37% 40.47% 42.90% 6.68% 7.84% 2.10% 9.95% 56 61 9 11 3 140 0

15 *My performance appraisal is a fair

reflection of my performance. 77.41% 37.69% 39.72% 11.25% 3.46% 7.88% 11.34% 52 55 16 5 11 139 1

16 I am held accountable for achieving

results. 90.04% 43.48% 46.56% 5.70% 2.83% 1.43% 4.26% 61 65 8 4 2 140 0

Page 1 of 7
Merit Systems Protection Board Core FEVS Survey Questions FY 2016

Item Item Text

Percent

Positive

%

Strongly

Agree/

Very

Good/

Very

Satisfied

%

Agree/

Good/

Satisfied

%

Neither

Agree nor

Disagree/

Fair/

Neither

Satisfied

nor

Dissatisfied

%

Disagree/

Poor/

Dissatisfied

%

Strongly

Disagree/

Very Poor/

Very

Dissatisfied

%

Percent

Negative

%

Strongly

Agree/

Very

Good/

Very

Satisfied

N

Agree/

Good/

Satisfied

N

Neither

Agree nor

Disagree/

Fair/

Neither

Satisfied

nor

Dissatisfied

N

Disagree/

Poor/

Dissatisfied

N

Strongly

Disagree/

Very Poor/

Very

Dissatisfied

N

Item

Response

Total**

N

Do Not

Know/

No

Basis to

Judge

N

17 I can disclose a suspected violation of

any law, rule or regulation without fear

of reprisal.

59.16% 30.37% 28.79% 13.93% 11.55% 15.36% 26.91% 41 40 19 16 21 137 4

18 *My training needs are assessed.

55.79% 20.57% 35.22% 21.49% 14.73% 8.00% 22.73% 28 49 30 21 11 139 1

19 *In my most recent performance

appraisal, I understood what I had to do

to be rated at different performance

levels (for example, Fully Successful,

Outstanding).

78.76% 36.95% 41.81% 7.06% 7.72% 6.45% 14.17% 51 59 10 11 9 140 1

20 *The people I work with cooperate to

get the job done. 76.94% 34.15% 42.79% 11.71% 8.57% 2.78% 11.35% 47 60 17 12 4 140 N/A

21 *My work unit is able to recruit people

with the right skills. 63.69% 24.97% 38.72% 20.71% 11.16% 4.43% 15.59% 33 53 28 15 6 135 4

22 *Promotions in my work unit are based

on merit. 52.54% 15.43% 37.11% 22.98% 13.28% 11.20% 24.48% 20 49 31 17 15 132 7

23 *In my work unit, steps are taken to

deal with a poor performer who cannot

or will not improve.

31.59% 9.79% 21.79% 28.13% 28.54% 11.74% 40.28% 12 28 35 36 15 126 13

24 *In my work unit, differences in

performance are recognized in a

meaningful way.

39.97% 10.78% 29.19% 26.21% 22.03% 11.79% 33.81% 14 39 35 29 16 133 6

25 Awards in my work unit depend on how

well employees perform their jobs. 48.01% 15.45% 32.56% 29.06% 11.30% 11.62% 22.93% 20 44 39 15 16 134 5

26 Employees in my work unit share job

knowledge with each other. 78.60% 33.09% 45.51% 7.17% 9.34% 4.89% 14.23% 46 64 10 13 7 140 0

27 The skill level in my work unit has

improved in the past year. 54.86% 20.10% 34.76% 31.03% 9.71% 4.41% 14.12% 26 47 42 13 6 134 5

28 How would you rate the overall quality

of work done by your work unit? 85.05% 55.15% 29.90% 11.47% 3.47% 0.00% 3.47% 78 42 16 5 0 141 N/A

29 *The workforce has the job-relevant

knowledge and skills necessary to

accomplish organizational goals.

80.40% 31.89% 48.51% 11.72% 4.41% 3.47% 7.88% 43 67 16 6 5 137 2

30 *Employees have a feeling of personal

empowerment with respect to work

processes.

59.38% 15.66% 43.72% 21.31% 11.85% 7.46% 19.31% 21 59 29 16 10 135 4

Page 2 of 7
Merit Systems Protection Board Core FEVS Survey Questions FY 2016

Item Item Text

Percent

Positive

%

Strongly

Agree/

Very

Good/

Very

Satisfied

%

Agree/

Good/

Satisfied

%

Neither

Agree nor

Disagree/

Fair/

Neither

Satisfied

nor

Dissatisfied

%

Disagree/

Poor/

Dissatisfied

%

Strongly

Disagree/

Very Poor/

Very

Dissatisfied

%

Percent

Negative

%

Strongly

Agree/

Very

Good/

Very

Satisfied

N

Agree/

Good/

Satisfied

N

Neither

Agree nor

Disagree/

Fair/

Neither

Satisfied

nor

Dissatisfied

N

Disagree/

Poor/

Dissatisfied

N

Strongly

Disagree/

Very Poor/

Very

Dissatisfied

N

Item

Response

Total**

N

Do Not

Know/

No

Basis to

Judge

N

31 Employees are recognized for providing

high quality products and services. 58.14% 17.44% 40.70% 23.20% 10.61% 8.05% 18.66% 23 55 31 14 11 134 5

32 *Creativity and innovation are

rewarded. 39.57% 11.50% 28.08% 32.00% 17.32% 11.10% 28.42% 15 38 43 23 15 134 6

33 *Pay raises depend on how well

employees perform their jobs. 29.87% 9.50% 20.37% 34.87% 17.52% 17.74% 35.26% 12 26 45 23 23 129 10

34 Policies and programs promote

diversity in the workplace (for example,

recruiting minorities and women,

training in awareness of diversity issues,

mentoring).

69.90% 27.49% 42.41% 15.32% 7.05% 7.73% 14.78% 35 55 20 9 10 129 11

35 *Employees are protected from health

and safety hazards on the job. 84.71% 38.97% 45.73% 9.33% 3.10% 2.86% 5.97% 53 64 13 4 4 138 2

36 *My organization has prepared

employees for potential security

threats.

91.14% 45.34% 45.80% 6.57% 1.58% 0.71% 2.30% 61 62 9 2 1 135 1

37 Arbitrary action, personal favoritism

and coercion for partisan political

purposes are not tolerated.

57.67% 25.25% 32.42% 17.19% 10.92% 14.21% 25.14% 33 44 23 14 19 133 6

38 Prohibited Personnel Practices (for

example, illegally discriminating for or

against any employee/applicant,

obstructing a person's right to compete

for employment, knowingly violating

veterans' preference requirements) are

not tolerated.

68.16% 33.27% 34.89% 11.78% 6.29% 13.77% 20.06% 43 46 15 8 18 130 9

39 My agency is successful at

accomplishing its mission. 82.81% 30.50% 52.31% 12.20% 3.53% 1.45% 4.98% 42 72 17 5 2 138 2

40 I recommend my organization as a good

place to work. 69.68% 32.61% 37.08% 15.04% 12.47% 2.80% 15.27% 45 52 21 17 4 139 N/A

41 I believe the results of this survey will

be used to make my agency a better

place to work.

46.46% 17.58% 28.89% 24.04% 17.14% 12.36% 29.50% 21 36 30 21 15 123 17

42 *My supervisor supports my need to

balance work and other life issues. 88.13% 56.21% 31.92% 5.08% 3.80% 2.99% 6.79% 77 44 7 5 4 137 3

Page 3 of 7
Merit Systems Protection Board Core FEVS Survey Questions FY 2016

Item Item Text

Percent

Positive

%

Strongly

Agree/

Very

Good/

Very

Satisfied

%

Agree/

Good/

Satisfied

%

Neither

Agree nor

Disagree/

Fair/

Neither

Satisfied

nor

Dissatisfied

%

Disagree/

Poor/

Dissatisfied

%

Strongly

Disagree/

Very Poor/

Very

Dissatisfied

%

Percent

Negative

%

Strongly

Agree/

Very

Good/

Very

Satisfied

N

Agree/

Good/

Satisfied

N

Neither

Agree nor

Disagree/

Fair/

Neither

Satisfied

nor

Dissatisfied

N

Disagree/

Poor/

Dissatisfied

N

Strongly

Disagree/

Very Poor/

Very

Dissatisfied

N

Item

Response

Total**

N

Do Not

Know/

No

Basis to

Judge

N

43 My supervisor provides me with

opportunities to demonstrate my

leadership skills.

64.77% 38.07% 26.70% 17.36% 11.50% 6.37% 17.87% 53 37 24 16 9 139 1

44 *Discussions with my supervisor about

my performance are worthwhile. 64.93% 36.02% 28.91% 17.94% 11.47% 5.65% 17.12% 50 40 25 16 8 139 1

45 My supervisor is committed to a

workforce representative of all

segments of society.

72.24% 37.95% 34.28% 17.96% 5.26% 4.54% 9.80% 50 45 23 7 6 131 9

46 My supervisor provides me with

constructive suggestions to improve my

job performance.

67.36% 34.20% 33.16% 19.12% 8.62% 4.90% 13.53% 47 46 27 12 7 139 0

47 *Supervisors in my work unit support

employee development. 75.61% 38.36% 37.26% 11.42% 8.00% 4.97% 12.97% 53 52 16 11 7 139 0

48 My supervisor listens to what I have to

say. 82.34% 48.69% 33.65% 7.13% 7.75% 2.78% 10.53% 68 47 10 11 4 140 N/A

49 My supervisor treats me with respect.

83.71% 53.93% 29.79% 11.33% 3.57% 1.39% 4.96% 75 42 16 5 2 140 N/A

50 In the last six months, my supervisor

has talked with me about my

performance.

86.11% 48.28% 37.83% 5.24% 5.78% 2.87% 8.66% 66 53 7 8 4 138 N/A

51 *I have trust and confidence in my

supervisor. 70.89% 44.34% 26.55% 14.10% 9.43% 5.57% 15.01% 62 37 20 13 8 140 N/A

52 *Overall, how good a job do you feel is

being done by your immediate

supervisor?

73.66% 45.17% 28.49% 17.16% 5.00% 4.18% 9.18% 63 40 24 7 6 140 N/A

53 *In my organization, senior leaders

generate high levels of motivation and

commitment in the workforce.

40.89% 10.58% 30.30% 26.45% 19.87% 12.79% 32.66% 14 42 37 27 18 138 2

54 My organization's senior leaders

maintain high standards of honesty and

integrity.

50.93% 16.85% 34.08% 20.91% 17.05% 11.12% 28.17% 22 45 28 22 15 132 7

55 *Supervisors work well with employees

of different backgrounds. 69.47% 20.59% 48.88% 19.42% 6.44% 4.67% 11.11% 26 63 25 8 6 128 10

56 *Managers communicate the goals and

priorities of the organization. 71.15% 17.48% 53.67% 15.28% 8.66% 4.92% 13.58% 24 74 21 12 7 138 2

Page 4 of 7
Merit Systems Protection Board Core FEVS Survey Questions FY 2016

Item Item Text

Percent

Positive

%

Strongly

Agree/

Very

Good/

Very

Satisfied

%

Agree/

Good/

Satisfied

%

Neither

Agree nor

Disagree/

Fair/

Neither

Satisfied

nor

Dissatisfied

%

Disagree/

Poor/

Dissatisfied

%

Strongly

Disagree/

Very Poor/

Very

Dissatisfied

%

Percent

Negative

%

Strongly

Agree/

Very

Good/

Very

Satisfied

N

Agree/

Good/

Satisfied

N

Neither

Agree nor

Disagree/

Fair/

Neither

Satisfied

nor

Dissatisfied

N

Disagree/

Poor/

Dissatisfied

N

Strongly

Disagree/

Very Poor/

Very

Dissatisfied

N

Item

Response

Total**

N

Do Not

Know/

No

Basis to

Judge

N

57 *Managers review and evaluate the

organization's progress toward meeting

its goals and objectives.

75.67% 19.12% 56.54% 14.07% 5.61% 4.65% 10.26% 24 71 18 7 6 126 12

58 Managers promote communication

among different work units (for

example, about projects, goals, needed

resources).

53.18% 13.62% 39.56% 20.31% 16.06% 10.46% 26.52% 18 53 27 22 14 134 6

59 Managers support collaboration across

work units to accomplish work

objectives.

53.04% 13.72% 39.33% 20.95% 14.74% 11.27% 26.01% 18 52 28 20 15 133 6

60 Overall, how good a job do you feel is

being done by the manager directly

above your immediate supervisor?

60.25% 28.14% 32.11% 21.28% 7.78% 10.69% 18.47% 37 42 28 10 14 131 8

61 *I have a high level of respect for my

organization's senior leaders. 50.87% 18.71% 32.16% 24.91% 11.96% 12.27% 24.23% 25 44 34 16 17 136 4

62 Senior leaders demonstrate support for

Work/Life programs. 68.71% 29.81% 38.90% 18.09% 9.35% 3.85% 13.20% 39 52 24 12 5 132 7

63 *How satisfied are you with your

involvement in decisions that affect

your work?

57.65% 19.54% 38.12% 23.65% 13.66% 5.03% 18.69% 27 54 33 19 7 140 N/A

64 *How satisfied are you with the

information you receive from

management on what's going on in

your organization?

52.83% 13.17% 39.66% 25.07% 15.19% 6.91% 22.10% 18 56 35 21 10 140 N/A

65 *How satisfied are you with the

recognition you receive for doing a

good job?

55.44% 19.73% 35.72% 23.06% 14.27% 7.23% 21.50% 27 50 33 20 10 140 N/A

66 *How satisfied are you with the policies

and practices of your senior leaders?

40.74% 11.52% 29.21% 33.35% 14.97% 10.94% 25.91% 15 40 46 20 15 136 N/A

67 *How satisfied are you with your

opportunity to get a better job in your

organization?

31.44% 11.78% 19.66% 40.75% 13.41% 14.40% 27.81% 16 27 57 19 20 139 N/A

68 *How satisfied are you with the training

you receive for your present job?

63.33% 18.38% 44.95% 20.94% 10.78% 4.96% 15.74% 25 63 30 15 7 140 N/A

Page 5 of 7
Merit Systems Protection Board Core FEVS Survey Questions FY 2016

Item Item Text

Percent

Positive

%

Strongly

Agree/

Very

Good/

Very

Satisfied

%

Agree/

Good/

Satisfied

%

Neither

Agree nor

Disagree/

Fair/

Neither

Satisfied

nor

Dissatisfied

%

Disagree/

Poor/

Dissatisfied

%

Strongly

Disagree/

Very Poor/

Very

Dissatisfied

%

Percent

Negative

%

Strongly

Agree/

Very

Good/

Very

Satisfied

N

Agree/

Good/

Satisfied

N

Neither

Agree nor

Disagree/

Fair/

Neither

Satisfied

nor

Dissatisfied

N

Disagree/

Poor/

Dissatisfied

N

Strongly

Disagree/

Very Poor/

Very

Dissatisfied

N

Item

Response

Total**

N

Do Not

Know/

No

Basis to

Judge

N

69 *Considering everything, how satisfied

are you with your job?

73.41% 28.79% 44.62% 12.05% 11.10% 3.44% 14.54% 40 63 17 15 5 140 N/A

70 *Considering everything, how satisfied

are you with your pay?

65.37% 21.88% 43.50% 20.31% 11.51% 2.81% 14.32% 30 61 28 16 4 139 N/A

71 Considering everything, how satisfied

are you with your organization?

68.32% 22.53% 45.79% 18.04% 7.16% 6.48% 13.64% 31 64 25 10 9 139 N/A

79 How satisfied are you with the following

Work/Life programs in your agency?

Telework

89.17% 45.78% 43.39% 1.94% 6.96% 1.93% 8.89% 44 43 2 7 2 98 2

80 How satisfied are you with the following

Work/Life programs in your agency?

Alternative Work Schedules (AWS)

93.71% 55.90% 37.81% 6.29% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 36 25 4 0 0 65 0

81 How satisfied are you with the following

Work/Life programs in your agency?

Health and Wellness Programs (for

example, exercise, medical screening,

quit smoking programs)

80.13% 16.53% 63.60% 16.71% 3.16% 0.00% 3.16% 5 20 5 1 0 31 1

82 How satisfied are you with the following

Work/Life programs in your agency?

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

86.56% 12.95% 73.62% 13.44% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 2 11 2 0 0 15 3

83 How satisfied are you with the following

Work/Life programs in your agency?

Child Care Programs (for example,

daycare, parenting classes, parenting

support groups)

50.00% 0.00% 50.00% 50.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0 1 1 0 0 2 1

84 How satisfied are you with the following

Work/Life programs in your agency?

Elder Care Programs (for example,

support groups, speakers)

66.15% 0.00% 66.15% 0.00% 0.00% 33.85% 33.85% 0 2 0 0 1 3 0

Page 6 of 7
Merit Systems Protection Board FEVS Work Life-Telework Questions FY 2016

N %

Yes, I was notified that I was eligible to telework. 113 80.44%

Yes, I was notified that I was not eligible to telework. 19 13.79%

No, I was not notified of my telework eligibility. 5 3.63%

Not sure if I was notified of my telework eligibility. 3 2.14%

Total 140 100.00%

N %

I telework 3 or more days per week. 24 17.26%

I telework 1 or 2 days per week. 49 34.97%

I telework, but no more than 1 or 2 days per month. 10 6.97%

I telework very infrequently. 18 12.70%

I do not telework because I have to be physically present on the job. 10 7.24%

I do not telework because I have technical issues. 1 0.73%

I do not telework because I did not receive approval to do so. 12 8.71%

I do not telework because I choose not to telework. 16 11.43%

Total 140 100.00%

N %

Yes 62 45.63%

No 55 40.51%

Not available to me 18 13.87%

Total 135 100.00%

N %

Yes 31 22.33%

No 91 65.50%

Not available to me 17 12.17%

Total 139 100.00%

N %

Yes 14 10.33%

No 120 88.84%

Not available to me 1 0.83%

Total 135 100.00%

N %

Yes 1 0.74%

No 100 72.59%

Not available to me 36 26.67%

Total 137 100.00%

N %

Yes 1 0.74%

No 102 74.24%

Not available to me 34 25.02%

Total 137 100.00%

Percentages are weighted to represent the Agency's population.

78. Do you participate in the following Work/Life programs? Elder Care Programs

72. Have you been notified whether or not you are eligible to telework?

73. Please select the response below that BEST describes your current teleworking situation.

74. Do you participate in the following Work/Life programs? Alternative Work Schedules

75. Do you participate in the following Work/Life programs? Health and Wellness Programs

76. Do you participate in the following Work/Life programs? Employee Assistance Program

77. Do you participate in the following Work/Life programs? Child Care Programs

Page 7 of 7