Attached are the U.S. Merit Systems Protections Board’s (MSPB’s) Annual Employee Survey (AES) 

results from the 2020 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS), administered by the Office of 

Personnel Management (OPM). These data include the 16 required AES questions and other core 

survey questions. 

 Survey administration: The web-based 2020 FEVS was administered September 24 –

November 5, 2020. An invitation to participate in the survey was sent via email all of MSPB’s

permanent career civil service employees on board as of October 2019. (Political and temporary

appointees were not included in the sample.)

 Response rate: The overall adjusted response rate in 2020 was 71% (125 surveys out of 176

surveys administered). Due to MSPB’s small size, MSPB does not link results to demographic

characteristics.

 Summary of results: This has been an unprecedented time at MSPB. We have operated without

a quorum since January 2017 and without any presidentially appointed, Senate-confirmed Board

members since March 1, 2019. And, like everyone around the country and around the world, we

have been contending with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these challenges,

the results of the survey were very encouraging. For example, the engagement index for MSPB

employees was 80 percent, an increase of 8 raw percentage points from the index in 2019.

According to OPM’s standards, MSPB had 33 strengths (percent positive above 65%) and no

challenges (percent negative above 35%). The questions with the highest percent positive

responses in 2020 were: “I know how my work relates to the agency’s goals” (94%) and “I know

what is expected of me on the job” (90%), followed by three questions about supervisors with

ratings of 86% to 89%. The lowest percent positive ratings were “In my work unit, steps are

taken to deal with a poor performer who cannot or will not improve” (52%), and “I believe the

results of this survey will be used to make my agency a better place to work” (55%).

Comparing percent positive responses in 2019 to 2020 results, 32 items increased and two items

decreased. The five largest increases included: senior managers generate high levels of

motivation and commitment (+23%); I have a high level of respect for my senior leaders

(+18%); in my work unit, differences in performance are recognized in a meaningful way

(+16%); senior leaders maintain high standards of honesty and integrity (+15%); and senior

leaders support work-life programs (+14%). The two items that decreased had percent positive

response of 85% or higher.

U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board 2020 Annual Employee Survey (AES) Results Page 1 of 7
Response

Type 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

N

Agree-disagree 1 *I am given a real opportunity to improve my 

skills in my organization. 80.8% 35.0% 45.8% 11.9% 5.5% 1.7% 7.3% 44 58 14 7 2 125 N/A

Agree-disagree 2 I feel encouraged to come up with new and 

better ways of doing things. 75.6% 33.8% 41.8% 13.3% 9.0% 2.2% 11.1% 42 53 16 11 3 125 N/A

Agree-disagree 3 My work gives me a feeling of personal 

accomplishment. 82.8% 41.1% 41.7% 8.5% 3.0% 5.6% 8.7% 51 52 11 4 7 125 N/A

Agree-disagree 4 I know what is expected of me on the job.

90.3% 49.9% 40.4% 4.8% 4.0% 0.8% 4.9% 62 51 6 5 1 125 N/A

Agree-disagree 5 *My workload is reasonable.

75.9% 23.8% 52.0% 13.8% 8.0% 2.4% 10.4% 29 65 17 10 3 124 0

Agree-disagree 6 *My talents are used well in the workplace.

80.3% 35.4% 44.9% 11.3% 5.9% 2.5% 8.4% 43 55 14 7 3 122 0

Agree-disagree 7 *I know how my work relates to the agency's 

goals. 93.5% 54.9% 38.6% 4.1% 0.8% 1.6% 2.4% 67 48 5 1 2 123 0

Agree-disagree 8 *I can disclose a suspected violation of any law, 

rule or regulation without fear of reprisal.

69.0% 31.9% 37.1% 12.6% 6.4% 12.1% 18.4% 38 45 15 8 14 120 4

Agree-disagree 9 *The people I work with cooperate to get the job

done. 85.0% 55.4% 29.6% 8.7% 5.5% 0.8% 6.3% 69 38 10 7 1 125 N/A

Agree-disagree 10 In my work unit, steps are taken to deal with a 

poor performer who cannot or will not improve.

52.5% 18.6% 33.9% 23.7% 17.1% 6.7% 23.8% 19 34 23 17 7 100 24

Agree-disagree 12 *In my work unit, differences in performance are

recognized in a meaningful way.

57.6% 22.0% 35.6% 20.2% 13.9% 8.3% 22.2% 24 39 21 15 9 108 17

Agree-disagree 13 *My work unit has the job-relevant knowledge 

and skills necessary to accomplish organizational

goals. 85.9% 44.2% 41.7% 10.4% 2.1% 1.6% 3.7% 55 53 12 3 2 125 0

Agree-disagree 14 Employees are recognized for providing high 

quality products and services. 74.1% 27.8% 46.3% 14.8% 6.9% 4.2% 11.1% 34 57 18 9 5 123 2

Agree-disagree 15 Employees are protected from health and safety 

hazards on the job. 85.2% 52.0% 33.2% 11.4% 1.5% 1.9% 3.4% 65 41 14 2 2 124 1

Agree-disagree 16 My agency is successful at accomplishing its 

mission. 71.9% 38.9% 33.0% 16.5% 7.0% 4.6% 11.6% 48 41 20 9 6 124 1

Agree-disagree 17 *I recommend my organization as a good place 

to work. 72.1% 41.6% 30.5% 15.8% 8.9% 3.2% 12.1% 52 38 19 11 4 124 N/A

Agree-disagree 18 *I believe the results of this survey will be used to

make my agency a better place to work.

54.6% 24.6% 30.0% 22.7% 12.9% 9.8% 22.7% 28 34 26 15 11 114 11

U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board 2020 Annual Employee Survey (AES) Results Page 2 of 7
Response

Type 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

N

Agree-disagree 19 My supervisor supports my need to balance work 

and other life issues. 88.4% 57.6% 30.8% 6.1% 4.7% 0.8% 5.5% 72 39 7 6 1 125 0

Agree-disagree 20 My supervisor is committed to a workforce 

representative of all segments of society.

83.9% 45.5% 38.4% 5.3% 5.4% 5.4% 10.8% 55 47 6 6 6 120 5

Agree-disagree 21 Supervisors in my work unit support employee 

development. 78.4% 44.0% 34.4% 12.8% 3.7% 5.1% 8.8% 54 43 15 5 6 123 2

Agree-disagree 22 My supervisor listens to what I have to say.

86.5% 55.3% 31.2% 4.1% 5.2% 4.2% 9.4% 69 39 5 7 5 125 N/A

Agree-disagree 23 My supervisor treats me with respect.

88.8% 61.5% 27.3% 4.0% 5.5% 1.7% 7.2% 77 34 5 7 2 125 N/A

Agree-disagree 24 I have trust and confidence in my supervisor.

79.3% 50.8% 28.6% 9.3% 5.6% 5.8% 11.4% 64 36 11 7 7 125 N/A

Good-poor 25 Overall, how good a job do you feel is being done 

by your immediate supervisor?

83.1% 58.4% 24.7% 11.9% 1.6% 3.4% 5.0% 73 31 14 2 4 124 N/A

Agree-disagree 26 In my organization, senior leaders generate high 

levels of motivation and commitment in the 

workforce. 68.8% 34.7% 34.2% 15.2% 9.7% 6.3% 16.0% 42 43 18 12 8 123 2

Agree-disagree 27 My organization's senior leaders maintain high 

standards of honesty and integrity.

74.6% 37.2% 37.4% 14.7% 6.1% 4.6% 10.7% 44 46 16 7 6 119 6

Agree-disagree 28 *Managers communicate the goals of the 

organization. 78.2% 36.3% 41.9% 14.6% 5.5% 1.7% 7.1% 44 52 17 7 2 122 0

Agree-disagree 29 Managers promote communication among 

different work units (for example, about projects, 

goals, needed resources).

60.5% 24.9% 35.6% 22.1% 12.3% 5.0% 17.3% 29 42 25 15 6 117 6

Good-poor 30 Overall, how good a job do you feel is being done 

by the manager directly above your immediate 

supervisor? 74.5% 42.6% 31.9% 16.7% 5.0% 3.8% 8.8% 48 36 19 6 4 113 11

Agree-disagree 31 I have a high level of respect for my 

organization's senior leaders. 72.2% 31.7% 40.5% 17.7% 6.2% 3.9% 10.1% 39 51 20 8 5 123 1

Agree-disagree 32 Senior leaders demonstrate support for WorkLife programs. 81.4% 49.6% 31.7% 9.4% 6.5% 2.7% 9.2% 60 39 11 8 3 121 3

Satisfieddissatisfied33 *How satisfied are you with your involvement in

decisions that affect your work?

65.4% 24.6% 40.8% 19.3% 11.9% 3.4% 15.3% 31 50 23 15 4 123 N/A

U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board 2020 Annual Employee Survey (AES) Results Page 3 of 7
Response

Type 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

N

Satisfieddissatisfied34 *How satisfied are you with the information you

receive from management on what's going on in

your organization?

75.0% 29.1% 46.0% 17.9% 5.4% 1.6% 7.0% 36 56 21 7 2 122 N/A

Satisfieddissatisfied35 *How satisfied are you with the recognition you

receive for doing a good job?

70.6% 31.2% 39.4% 14.0% 9.5% 5.8% 15.4% 39 48 17 12 7 123 N/A

Satisfieddissatisfied36 *Considering everything, how satisfied are you

with your job?

75.5% 41.3% 34.2% 15.9% 5.3% 3.3% 8.7% 50 42 19 7 4 122 N/A

Satisfieddissatisfied37 Considering everything, how satisfied are you 

with your pay?

75.1% 22.1% 53.0% 11.3% 10.0% 3.6% 13.6% 28 65 14 12 4 123 N/A

Satisfieddissatisfied38 *Considering everything, how satisfied are you

with your organization?

70.0% 34.6% 35.4% 19.6% 5.6% 4.8% 10.4% 43 44 23 7 6 123 N/A

* AES prescribed items as of 2017 (5 CFR Part 250, Subpart C)

** Unweighted count of responses excluding "Do Not Know"

The Dashboard only includes items 1-38, excluding item 11.

Percentages are weighted to represent the Agency's population.

When responding to the Core OPM FEVS questions 1 through 38, respondents were asked to share their work experiences since the last OPM FEVS administration (June 2019).

Source: 2020 OPM Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey

U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board 2020 Annual Employee Survey (AES) Results Page 4 of 7
N % N %

Remain in the work unit and improve their performance over time 22 24.5% 18 18.3%

Remain in the work unit and continue to underperform 31 33.4% 38 39.2%

Leave the work unit - removed or transferred 5 5.0% 8 8.1%

Leave the work unit - quit 9 9.5% 8 8.0%

There are no poor performers in my work unit 25 27.7% 25 26.4%

92 100.0% 97 100.0%

Do Not Know 33 -- 29 --

125 100.0% 126 100.0%

Percentages are weighted to represent the Agency's population.

"Do Not Know" responses are not included in percentage calculations.

The rows above do not include results for any year when there were fewer than 4 completed surveys.

Source: 2020 OPM Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey

11. In my work unit poor performers usually:

2020 2019

Item Response Total

Total

U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board 2020 Annual Employee Survey (AES) Results Page 5 of 7
Very Satisfied 64 54.3% 52.5% 52 48.5% 41.4% 57 48.3% 42.6%

Satisfied 41 34.7% 33.6% 40 36.1% 30.8% 44 39.2% 34.6%

Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied 7 6.0% 5.8% 7 6.6% 5.6% 8 7.8% 6.9%

Dissatisfied 5 4.1% 4.0% 6 5.6% 4.8% 4 3.1% 2.7%

Very Dissatisfied 1 0.9% 0.9% 3 3.2% 2.7% 2 1.6% 1.4%

118 100.0% 96.7% 108 100.0% 85.3% 115 100.0% 88.3%

I choose not to participate in this program 3 -- 2.5% 2 -- 1.3% 3 -- 2.2%

This program is not available to me 1 -- 0.8% 14 -- 12.3% 11 -- 8.8%

I am unaware of this program 0 -- 0.0% 1 -- 1.0% 1 -- 0.7%

122 100.0% 100.0% 125 100.0% 100.0% 130 100.0% 100.0%

% N %

57.7% 81 64.4%

28.1% 51 40.8%

5.4% 7 6.6%

2.5% 4 3.4%

0.0% 0 0.0%

32.7% 27 23.2%

-- 124 --

Very Satisfied 55 62.4% 44.9% 51 52.1% 39.8% 56 53.1% 42.6%

Satisfied 27 30.9% 22.3% 32 33.2% 25.3% 37 36.0% 28.9%

Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied 6 6.7% 4.8% 10 11.2% 8.6% 10 10.9% 8.7%

Dissatisfied 0 0.0% 0.0% 2 2.7% 2.0% 0 0.0% 0.0%

Very Dissatisfied 0 0.0% 0.0% 1 0.9% 0.6% 0 0.0% 0.0%

88 100.0% 72.0% 96 100.0% 76.3% 103 100.0% 80.3%

I choose not to participate in these programs 26 -- 21.4% 16 -- 12.7% 17 -- 12.9%

These programs are not available to me 7 -- 5.7% 11 -- 9.2% 6 -- 4.6%

I am unaware of these programs 1 -- 0.9% 2 -- 1.7% 3 -- 2.2%

122 100.0% 100.0% 125 100.0% 100.0% 129 100.0% 100.0%

Very Satisfied 24 29.4% 20.4% 29 30.2% 23.7% 31 27.6% 23.6%

Satisfied 45 53.5% 37.1% 48 49.6% 38.9% 54 48.9% 41.8%

Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied 11 13.3% 9.3% 15 15.8% 12.4% 19 17.7% 15.1%

Dissatisfied 1 1.4% 1.0% 4 4.4% 3.5% 6 5.0% 4.2%

Very Dissatisfied 2 2.5% 1.7% 0 0.0% 0.0% 1 0.8% 0.7%

83 100.0% 69.4% 96 100.0% 78.4% 111 100.0% 85.4%

I choose not to participate in these programs 26 -- 21.7% 20 -- 15.7% 10 -- 7.7%

These programs are not available to me 7 -- 5.6% 5 -- 3.8% 5 -- 4.1%

I am unaware of these programs 4 -- 3.3% 2 -- 2.1% 4 -- 2.8%

120 100.0% 100.0% 123 100.0% 100.0% 130 100.0% 100.0%

N

Satisfaction

%

All Response

Options %

Item Response Total

Total

61. How satisfied are you with the following Work-Life programs in your agency? Health and Wellness Programs (for example, 

onsite exercise, flu vaccination, medical screening, CPR training, health and wellness fair)

2020 2019 2018

N

Satisfaction

%

All Response

Options % N

Satisfaction

%

All Response

Options %

All Response

Options % N

Satisfaction

%

All Response

Options %

Item Response Total

Total

Note: This item was not in the 2018 OPM FEVS.

60. How satisfied are you with the following Work-Life programs in your agency? Alternative Work Schedules (for example, 

compressed work schedule, flexible work schedule)

2020 2019 2018

N

Satisfaction

%

All Response

Options % N

Satisfaction

%

Elder Care Programs (for example, elder/adult care, support groups, resources) 0

None listed above 39

Total (percents will add to more than 100% because respondents could choose more than one response option) 122

Health and Wellness Programs (for example, onsite exercise, flu vaccination, medical screening, CPR training, Health and wellness 

fair) 35

Employee Assistance Program - EAP (for example, short-term counseling, referral services, legal services, education services) 7

Child Care Programs (for example, child care center, parenting classes and support groups, back-up care, subsidy, flexible spending 

account) 3

59. Which of the following Work-Life programs have you participated in or used at your agency within the last 12 months? (Mark 

all that apply)

2020 2019

N

Alternative Work Schedules (for example, compressed work schedule, flexible work schedule) 71

All Response

Options % N

Satisfaction

%

All Response

Options %

Item Response Total

Total

When responding to questions 58 through 64 about Work-Life programs, respondents were asked to share their work experiences since the last 

OPM FEVS administration (June 2019).

58. How satisfied are you with the Telework program in your agency?

2020 2019 2018

N

Satisfaction

%

All Response

Options % N

Satisfaction

%

U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board 2020 Annual Employee Survey (AES) Results Page 6 of 7
Very Satisfied 16 29.9% 13.1% 4 8.4% 3.1% 16 23.3% 12.9%

Satisfied 25 47.3% 20.8% 17 40.2% 15.0% 21 30.3% 16.8%

Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied 10 19.1% 8.4% 19 46.8% 17.5% 32 45.1% 25.0%

Dissatisfied 1 1.8% 0.8% 2 4.7% 1.8% 0 0.0% 0.0%

Very Dissatisfied 1 1.9% 0.9% 0 0.0% 0.0% 1 1.3% 0.7%

53 100.0% 43.9% 42 100.0% 37.4% 70 100.0% 55.5%

I choose not to participate in these programs 67 -- 54.2% 73 -- 56.0% 53 -- 38.6%

These programs are not available to me 1 -- 0.8% 4 -- 3.5% 2 -- 1.7%

I am unaware of these programs 1 -- 1.1% 4 -- 3.2% 6 -- 4.3%

122 100.0% 100.0% 123 100.0% 100.0% 131 100.0% 100.0%

Very Satisfied 2 9.6% 1.6% 0 0.0% 0.0% 6 14.2% 4.9%

Satisfied 8 39.5% 6.7% 7 28.4% 5.5% 8 17.1% 5.9%

Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied 8 41.3% 6.9% 14 66.2% 12.8% 27 60.9% 21.1%

Dissatisfied 0 0.0% 0.0% 0 0.0% 0.0% 2 3.7% 1.3%

Very Dissatisfied 2 9.6% 1.6% 1 5.5% 1.1% 2 4.1% 1.4%

20 100.0% 16.8% 22 100.0% 19.4% 45 100.0% 34.7%

I choose not to participate in these programs 64 -- 52.8% 54 -- 42.4% 37 -- 27.9%

These programs are not available to me 21 -- 16.8% 23 -- 18.7% 24 -- 18.6%

I am unaware of these programs 17 -- 13.5% 25 -- 19.6% 25 -- 18.8%

122 100.0% 100.0% 124 100.0% 100.0% 131 100.0% 100.0%

Very Satisfied 0 0.0% 0.0% 1 5.8% 0.7% 3 8.1% 2.2%

Satisfied 3 24.1% 2.5% 0 0.0% 0.0% 2 5.0% 1.4%

Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied 9 75.9% 7.8% 13 94.2% 12.1% 29 84.5% 22.9%

Dissatisfied 0 0.0% 0.0% 0 0.0% 0.0% 1 2.4% 0.6%

Very Dissatisfied 0 0.0% 0.0% 0 0.0% 0.0% 0 0.0% 0.0%

12 100.0% 10.2% 14 100.0% 12.9% 35 100.0% 27.1%

I choose not to participate in these programs 56 -- 45.9% 52 -- 40.2% 34 -- 25.2%

These programs are not available to me 18 -- 14.6% 25 -- 20.4% 26 -- 20.3%

I am unaware of these programs 36 -- 29.2% 33 -- 26.6% 35 -- 27.4%

122 100.0% 100.0% 124 100.0% 100.0% 130 100.0% 100.0%

Percentages are weighted to represent the Agency's population.

The rows above do not include results for any year when there were fewer than 4 completed surveys.

Source: 2020 OPM Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey

Item Response Total

Total

N

Satisfaction

%

All Response

Options % N

Satisfaction

%

All Response

Options %

All Response

Options %

Item Response Total

Total

64. How satisfied are you with the following Work-Life programs in your agency? Elder Care Programs (for example, elder/adult 

care, support groups, resources)

2020 2019 2018

N

Satisfaction

%

All Response

Options %

All Response

Options % N

Satisfaction

%

All Response

Options % N

Satisfaction

%

Item Response Total

Total

63. How satisfied are you with the following Work-Life programs in your agency? Child Care Programs (for example, child care 

center, parenting classes and support groups, back-up care, subsidy, flexible spending account)

2020 2019 2018

N

Satisfaction

%

Satisfaction

%

All Response

Options % N

Satisfaction

%

All Response

Options % N

62. How satisfied are you with the following Work-Life programs in your agency? Employee Assistance Program - EAP (for 

example, short-term counseling, referral services, legal services, education services)

2020 2019 2018

N

Satisfaction

%

All Response

Options %

U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board 2020 Annual Employee Survey (AES) Results Page 7 of 7