2011 EMPLOYEE VIEWPOINT SURVEY RESULTS

FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION

1. Interpretation of Results: Nearly 76 percent of Federal Maritime Commission employees responded to the 2011 Employee Viewpoint Survey that was 

conducted online between April 4 and May 15, 2011. Of the 116 employees who received the survey, 88 completed and returned it. This response rate far 

exceeded the government-wide response rate of 49%. Response rates for surveys over the last five years are shown in Table 1.

Table 1. Response Rates Over Five Years

Instrument Responses Response Rate

2011 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey 88 76%

2010 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey 87 81%

2009 Annual Employee Survey 71 66%

2008 Federal Human Capital Survey 68 69%

2007 Annual Employee Survey 78 66%

FMC’s results describe a high-performing agency where employees view their work as important and are willing to put in extra effort when it’s needed. They

share their knowledge and cooperate to get the job done. They constantly look for ways to do their jobs better, and they know that they are held 

accountable for results.

Highlights from Selected Questions

Overall results in the section dealing with “My Work Experiences” were positive, with over two-thirds of the 19 questions receiving 65% or higher 

positive response. FMC employees indicated that they are willing to put in extra effort when needed (Q.7 – 96.8%), that they are constantly looking 

for ways to do their jobs better (Q.8 – 91.8%), that they are held accountable for achieving results (Q.16 – 84.2%), and that their work is important 

(Q.13 – 81.4%).

FMC employees work with others who cooperate to get the job done (Q.20 – 71.1%) and they share their job knowledge (Q.26 – 71.4%). They rate 

the quality of work done by their work units as high (Q. 28 – 82.9%). However, they are less in agreement that their work unit is able to recruit 

people with the right skills (Q.21 – 44.2%).

In viewing the agency as a whole, employees overwhelmingly replied that they are protected from health and safety hazards on the job (Q.35 –

84.9%). They see the agency as successful at accomplishing its mission (Q.39 – 71.7%) and the workforce as having the job-relevant knowledge 

and skills needed (Q.29 – 77.2%). Employees were less positive about feeling personal empowerment with respect to work processes (Q.30 –

44.4%) and about creativity and innovation being rewarded (Q.32 – 42.1%).

Supervisors and team leaders were rated highly overall by FMC employees. When asked their assessment of how good a job is being done by their 

immediate supervisor or team leader, 79.4% responded positively (Q.52). Supervisors/team leaders treat employees with respect (Q.49 – 89.2%) 

and listen to them (Q.48 – 83.8%). Similarly, employees believe that their supervisors support their needs to balance work and other life issues 

(Q.42 – 84.1%). Supervisors provide feedback about performance (Q.50 – 84.4%) and most employees find the discussions worthwhile (Q.44 –

69.5%).
Employees see managers working well with employees of different backgrounds (Q.55 – 62.4%) and credit senior leaders with demonstrating 

support for Work/Life programs (Q.62 – 63.1%). Among Work/Life programs, employees expressed the greatest satisfaction with Alternative Work 

Schedules (AWS) (Q.80 – 82.1%) and with Health and Wellness Programs (Q.81 – 71.4%).

Overall, FMC employees are satisfied with their jobs (Q.69 – 66.2%) and their pay (Q.70 – 70.2%).

2. How the survey was conducted: The survey was conducted online from April 4, 2011 to May 15, 2011.

3. Description of sample: All 116 full-time permanent employees of the agency were surveyed.

4. Survey items and response choices: See the tables on the following pages.

5. Number of employees surveyed and number who responded: Of the 116 employees surveyed, 88 responded, for a response rate of nearly 76%.
 

Percent 

Positive

Strongly 

Agree Agree

Neither 

Agree nor 

Disagree Disagree

Strongly 

Disagree

Item 

Response 

Total**

Do Not 

Know/ No 

Basis to 

Judge

*1. I am given a real opportunity to improve my skills in my 

organization.

N 16 40 11 15 6 88 NA

% 64.7 17.6 47.1 11.3 17.1 6.9 100.0 

2. I have enough information to do my job well.

N 21 41 10 13 3 88 NA

% 70.0 22.9 47.1 10.3 16.0 3.7 100.0 

3. I feel encouraged to come up with new and better ways of 

doing things.

N 24 30 14 12 8 88 NA

% 60.8 26.2 34.6 16.9 13.3 9.0 100.0 

*4. My work gives me a feeling of personal accomplishment.

N 19 38 14 10 6 87 NA

% 66.2 24.0 42.2 16.4 10.9 6.5 100.0 

*5. I like the kind of work I do.

N 24 45 12 6 1 88 NA

% 80.3 29.0 51.3 12.6 6.1 1.0 100.0 

6. I know what is expected of me on the job.

N 23 45 8 9 3 88 NA

% 77.1 27.2 49.9 8.2 11.4 3.3 100.0 

7. When needed I am willing to put in the extra effort to get a 

job done.

N 57 28 1 2 0 88 NA

% 96.8 65.6 31.2 1.0 2.2 0.0 100.0 

8. I am constantly looking for ways to do my job better.

N 44 36 6 2 0 88 NA

% 91.8 51.8 40.0 6.3 2.0 0.0 100.0 

9. I have sufficient resources (for example, people, materials, 

budget) to get my job done.

N 11 38 11 20 8 88 0

% 54.3 13.5 40.8 13.8 23.4 8.6 100.0 

*10. My workload is reasonable.

N 12 42 15 14 5 88 0

% 60.1 14.3 45.8 17.9 15.2 6.7 100.0 

*11. My talents are used well in the workplace.

N 18 32 12 11 13 86 2

% 58.7 22.7 36.0 13.7 12.4 15.2 100.0 

*12. I know how my work relates to the agency's goals and 

priorities.

N 24 44 9 6 3 86 1

% 78.3 29.2 49.1 10.2 8.0 3.5 100.0 

*13. The work I do is important.

N 31 39 11 5 2 88 0

% 81.4 37.1 44.3 11.6 4.9 2.1 100.0 

*14. Physical conditions (for example, noise level, temperature, 

lighting, cleanliness in the workplace) allow employees to 

perform their jobs well.

N 27 38 15 6 2 88 0

% 73.3 31.4 41.9 17.0 6.0 3.7 100.0

 

*15. My performance appraisal is a fair reflection of my 

performance.

N 24 41 8 9 5 87 1

% 74.2 28.0 46.3 10.5 10.3 5.1 100.0 

16. I am held accountable for achieving results.

N 25 48 11 4 0 88 0

% 84.2 30.3 53.9 11.7 4.0 0.0 100.0 
 

Percent 

Positive

Strongly 

Agree Agree

Neither 

Agree nor 

Disagree Disagree

Strongly 

Disagree

Item 

Response 

Total**

Do Not 

Know/ No 

Basis to 

Judge

17. I can disclose a suspected violation of any law, rule or 

regulation without fear of reprisal.

N 25 20 16 13 7 81 6

% 56.5 31.7 24.8 19.2 15.5 8.7 100.0 

*18. My training needs are assessed.

N 10 37 16 10 11 84 4

% 55.3 12.5 42.8 20.6 12.1 12.0 100.0 

*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).

N 21 43 11 4 7 86 2

% 75.5 23.1 52.4 12.4 4.6 7.5 100.0

 

*20. The people I work with cooperate to get the job done.

N 20 34 14 6 4 78 NA

% 71.1 25.7 45.4 17.0 6.9 5.0 100.0 

*21. My work unit is able to recruit people with the right skills.

N 7 31 28 10 8 84 3

% 44.2 8.7 35.5 34.4 11.0 10.5 100.0 

*22. Promotions in my work unit are based on merit.

N 7 29 23 12 15 86 2

% 41.1 7.7 33.4 26.5 13.3 19.2 100.0 

*23. In my work unit, steps are taken to deal with a poor performer 

who cannot or will not improve.

N 3 22 30 15 13 83 5

% 32.4 3.1 29.3 34.1 18.3 15.2 100.0 

*24. In my work unit, differences in performance are recognized in 

a meaningful way.

N 4 31 25 12 15 87 1

% 40.0 4.1 35.9 27.5 14.3 18.2 100.0 

25. Awards in my work unit depend on how well employees 

perform their jobs.

N 8 27 25 11 13 84 2

% 39.8 8.4 31.4 31.1 14.3 14.8 100.0 

26. Employees in my work unit share job knowledge with each 

other.

N 11 50 10 9 7 87 1

% 71.4 11.1 60.3 11.1 9.8 7.7 100.0 

27. The skill level in my work unit has improved in the past year.

N 10 35 27 7 6 85 1

% 52.4 11.5 40.9 33.6 7.4 6.7 100.0 

 

Percent 

Positive Very Good Good Fair Poor Very Poor

Item 

Response 

Total**

Do Not 

Know/ No 

Basis to 

Judge

28. How would you rate the overall quality of work done by your 

work unit?

N 36 35 13 2 1 87 NA

% 82.9 43.9 39.0 13.8 2.2 1.1 100.0 

 

Percent 

Positive

Strongly 

Agree Agree

Neither 

Agree nor 

Disagree Disagree

Strongly 

Disagree

Item 

Response 

Total**

Do Not 

Know/ No 

Basis to 

Judge

*29. The workforce has the job-relevant knowledge and skills 

necessary to accomplish organizational goals.

N 13 51 13 6 2 85 2

% 77.2 17.3 59.9 14.2 6.3 2.3 100.0 
 

Percent 

Positive

Strongly 

Agree Agree

Neither 

Agree nor 

Disagree Disagree

Strongly 

Disagree

Item 

Response 

Total**

Do Not 

Know/ No 

Basis to 

Judge

*30. Employees have a feeling of personal empowerment with 

respect to work processes.

N 9 28 22 15 11 85 2

% 44.4 10.8 33.7 25.2 18.2 12.2 100.0 

31. Employees are recognized for providing high quality products 

and services.

N 12 30 17 13 11 83 3

% 52.7 14.8 37.9 19.5 15.0 12.7 100.0 

*32. Creativity and innovation are rewarded.

N 12 22 22 17 11 84 3

% 42.1 14.3 27.8 24.5 21.0 12.5 100.0 

*33. Pay raises depend on how well employees perform their jobs.

N 5 23 22 19 15 84 3

% 33.2 5.5 27.7 25.5 22.5 18.8 100.0 

34. Policies and programs promote diversity in the workplace (for 

example, recruiting minorities and women, training in 

awareness of diversity issues, mentoring).

N 13 33 23 8 6 83 4

% 56.7 16.0 40.7 26.3 10.0 7.0 100.0

 

*35. Employees are protected from health and safety hazards on 

the job.

N 25 46 9 2 1 83 4

% 84.9 29.7 55.3 10.0 2.2 2.9 100.0 

*36. My organization has prepared employees for potential 

security threats.

N 15 39 17 9 4 84 2

% 65.0 18.8 46.2 18.9 9.6 6.5 100.0 

37. Arbitrary action, personal favoritism and coercion for partisan 

political purposes are not tolerated.

N 11 19 19 12 16 77 9

% 38.3 14.6 23.7 27.1 14.3 20.3 100.0 

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.

N 14 28 22 6 8 78 8

% 53.9 18.8 35.1 28.5 7.5 10.1 100.0

 

39. My agency is successful at accomplishing its mission.

N 19 39 13 10 2 83 3

% 71.7 22.9 48.9 14.4 11.5 2.3 100.0 

40. I recommend my organization as a good place to work.

N 22 25 25 6 8 86 NA

% 53.8 25.1 28.7 30.5 7.0 8.7 100.0 

41. I believe the results of this survey will be used to make my 

agency a better place to work.

N 13 32 13 16 7 81 6

% 57.1 15.7 41.4 14.5 20.1 8.3 100.0 

*42. My supervisor supports my need to balance work and other 

life issues.

N 39 35 7 4 2 87 0

% 84.1 44.2 39.9 7.3 4.7 3.9 100.0 

43. My supervisor/team leader provides me with opportunities to 

demonstrate my leadership skills.

N 23 33 17 8 6 87 0

% 64.7 26.7 38.0 19.8 8.9 6.6 100.0 

*44. Discussions with my supervisor/team leader about my 

performance are worthwhile.

N 22 36 13 5 7 83 3

% 69.5 24.8 44.7 14.5 6.2 9.8 100.0 
 

Percent 

Positive

Strongly 

Agree Agree

Neither 

Agree nor 

Disagree Disagree

Strongly 

Disagree

Item 

Response 

Total**

Do Not 

Know/ No 

Basis to 

Judge

45. My supervisor/team leader is committed to a workforce 

representative of all segments of society.

N 24 37 14 2 6 83 4

% 73.4 27.6 45.8 17.5 2.2 7.0 100.0 

46. My supervisor/team leader provides me with constructive 

suggestions to improve my job performance.

N 21 39 16 4 6 86 0

% 69.5 24.5 44.9 17.3 4.8 8.4 100.0 

*47. Supervisors/team leaders in my work unit support employee 

development.

N 29 31 14 6 6 86 1

% 69.8 33.0 36.8 17.4 6.0 6.8 100.0 

48. My supervisor/team leader listens to what I have to say.

N 34 38 7 6 2 87 NA

% 83.8 40.2 43.6 7.9 6.1 2.2 100.0 

49. My supervisor/team leader treats me with respect.

N 39 38 6 1 3 87 NA

% 89.2 45.2 44.0 6.3 1.2 3.4 100.0 

50. In the last six months, my supervisor/team leader has talked 

with me about my performance.

N 32 41 5 5 4 87 NA

% 84.4 37.8 46.6 5.8 5.4 4.4 100.0 

*51. I have trust and confidence in my supervisor.

N 33 28 15 5 6 87 NA

% 69.7 38.8 30.9 17.9 5.8 6.6 100.0 

 

Percent 

Positive Very Good Good Fair Poor Very Poor

Item 

Response 

Total**

Do Not 

Know/ No 

Basis to 

Judge

*52. Overall, how good a job do you feel is being done by your 

immediate supervisor/team leader?

N 40 29 11 3 3 86 NA

% 79.4 47.3 32.1 13.9 3.3 3.4 100.0 

 

Percent 

Positive

Strongly 

Agree Agree

Neither 

Agree nor 

Disagree Disagree

Strongly 

Disagree

Item 

Response 

Total**

Do Not 

Know/ No 

Basis to 

Judge

*53. In my organization, leaders generate high levels of motivation 

and commitment in the workforce.

N 7 27 16 20 16 86 1

% 39.6 7.5 32.1 18.9 21.8 19.7 100.0 

54. My organization's leaders maintain high standards of honesty 

and integrity.

N 12 30 15 13 15 85 2

% 49.8 13.1 36.6 18.0 15.1 17.2 100.0 

*55. Managers/supervisors/team leaders work well with employees 

of different backgrounds.

N 16 35 14 10 8 83 3

% 62.4 18.9 43.5 15.4 12.5 9.6 100.0 

*56. Managers communicate the goals and priorities of the 

organization.

N 12 33 20 8 14 87 0

% 52.7 12.8 39.9 23.2 8.6 15.5 100.0 

*57. Managers review and evaluate the organization's progress 

toward meeting its goals and objectives.

N 14 32 22 8 7 83 4

% 54.4 16.0 38.4 28.2 9.1 8.3 100.0 
 

Percent 

Positive

Strongly 

Agree Agree

Neither 

Agree nor 

Disagree Disagree

Strongly 

Disagree

Item 

Response 

Total**

Do Not 

Know/ No 

Basis to 

Judge

58. Managers promote communication among different work 

units (for example, about projects, goals, needed resources).

N 10 34 11 16 13 84 3

% 51.6 11.0 40.6 13.8 19.6 15.0 100.0 

59. Managers support collaboration across work units to 

accomplish work objectives.

N 13 27 16 15 12 83 3

% 47.5 14.6 32.9 19.5 18.8 14.1 100.0 

 

Percent 

Positive Very Good Good Fair Poor Very Poor

Item 

Response 

Total**

Do Not 

Know/ No 

Basis to 

Judge

60. Overall, how good a job do you feel is being done by the 

manager directly above your immediate supervisor/team 

leader?

N 23 24 18 2 16 83 1

% 55.7 26.3 29.4 23.0 2.1 19.2 100.0 

 

Percent 

Positive

Strongly 

Agree Agree

Neither 

Agree nor 

Disagree Disagree

Strongly 

Disagree

Item 

Response 

Total**

Do Not 

Know/ No 

Basis to 

Judge

*61. I have a high level of respect for my organization's senior 

leaders.

N 16 26 15 14 14 85 1

% 50.6 18.2 32.4 17.4 15.7 16.3 100.0 

62. Senior leaders demonstrate support for Work/Life programs.

N 19 35 20 4 6 84 3

% 63.1 21.9 41.2 23.2 4.5 9.2 100.0 

 

Percent 

Positive

Very 

Satisfied Satisfied

Neither 

Satisfied 

nor 

Dissatisfied Dissatisfied

Very 

Dissatisfied

Item 

Response 

Total**

Do Not 

Know/ No 

Basis to 

Judge

*63. How satisfied are you with your involvement in decisions that 

affect your work?

N 15 33 19 15 5 87 NA

% 54.3 17.1 37.2 22.4 17.6 5.7 100.0 

*64. How satisfied are you with the information you receive from 

management on what's going on in your organization?

N 11 33 16 21 6 87 NA

% 50.7 12.6 38.1 17.8 25.0 6.4 100.0 

*65. How satisfied are you with the recognition you receive for 

doing a good job?

N 15 39 13 13 7 87 NA

% 60.1 16.3 43.8 15.6 14.4 9.8 100.0 

*66. How satisfied are you with the policies and practices of your 

senior leaders?

N 10 29 17 18 13 87 NA

% 45.0 11.0 33.9 19.1 19.9 16.0 100.0 

*67. How satisfied are you with your opportunity to get a better job 

in your organization?

N 11 20 30 5 20 86 NA

% 36.2 12.0 24.1 33.6 6.1 24.1 100.0 

*68. How satisfied are you with the training you receive for your 

present job?

N 17 33 17 8 12 87 NA

% 57.7 18.5 39.2 20.1 9.3 12.9 100.0 
 

Percent 

Positive

Very 

Satisfied Satisfied

Neither 

Satisfied 

nor 

Dissatisfied Dissatisfied

Very 

Dissatisfied

Item 

Response 

Total

Do Not 

Know/ No 

Basis to 

Judge

*69. Considering everything, how satisfied are you with your job?

N 17 40 13 8 9 87 NA

% 66.2 19.1 47.1 15.2 8.9 9.7 100.0 

*70. Considering everything, how satisfied are you with your pay?

N 14 46 11 11 4 86 NA

% 70.2 17.2 53.0 11.8 12.0 6.0 100.0 

71. Considering everything, how satisfied are you with your 

organization?

N 18 31 20 8 10 87 NA

% 54.9 19.9 35.0 24.8 9.0 11.3 100.0 

72. Have you been notified that you are eligible to telework? 

Telework means working at a location other than your normal 

work site during your regular work hours (excludes travel). N %

Yes 63 73.4

No 21 24.4

Not sure 2 2.2

Total 86 100.0

73. Please select the response below that BEST describes your 

current teleworking situation: N %

I telework 3 or more days per week. 1 1.5

I telework 1 or 2 days per week. 2 2.2

I telework, but no more than 1 or 2 days per month. 10 11.5

I telework very infrequently, on an unscheduled or short-term basis. 33 37.1

I do not telework because I have to be physically present on the job (e.g., Law 

Enforcement Officers, Park Rangers, Security Personnel).

9 11.0

I do not telework because I have technical issues (e.g., connectivity, inadequate 

equipment) that prevent me from teleworking.

3 3.0

I do not telework because I did not receive approval to do so, even though I have the 

kind of job where I can telework.

16 18.1

I do not telework because I choose not to telework. 13 15.5

Total 87 100.0
74.

Do you participate in the following Work/Life programs? 

Alternative Work Schedules (AWS) N %

Yes 53 60.2

No 32 38.8

Not available to me 1 1.0

Total 86 100.0

75. Do you participate in the following Work/Life programs? 

Health and Wellness Programs (for example, exercise, 

medical screening, quit smoking programs) N %

Yes 48 54.3

No 37 43.7

Not available to me 2 2.0

Total 87 100.0

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

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) N %

Yes 12 13.4

No 72 82.9

Not available to me 3 3.7

Total 87 100.0

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

Child Care Programs (for example, daycare, parenting 

classes, parenting support groups) N %

Yes 1 1.2

No 65 75.1

Not available to me 20 23.7

Total 86 100.0

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

Elder Care Programs (for example, support groups, 

speakers) N %

Yes 10 11.6

No 61 71.7

Not available to me 14 16.7

Total 85 100.0
 

Percent 

Positive

Very 

Satisfied Satisfied

Neither 

Satisfied 

nor 

Dissatisfied Dissatisfied

Very 

Dissatisfied

Item 

Response 

Total**

Do Not 

Know/ No 

Basis to 

Judge

79. How satisfied are you with the following Work/Life programs 

in your agency? Telework

N 14 25 20 8 8 75 12

% 52.4 19.7 32.7 26.2 10.5 10.9 100.0 

80. How satisfied are you with the following Work/Life programs 

in your agency? Alternative Work Schedules (AWS)

N 34 32 9 2 1 78 9

% 82.1 43.9 38.1 14.5 2.3 1.1 100.0 

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)

N 18 34 12 4 1 69 18

% 71.4 24.9 46.5 20.7 6.5 1.5 100.0

 

82. How satisfied are you with the following Work/Life programs 

in your agency? Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

N 8 16 20 1 0 45 42

% 50.8 17.9 32.9 47.1 2.1 0.0 100.0 

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)

N 3 4 17 1 3 28 58

% 23.0 10.8 12.2 64.2 3.4 9.3 100.0

 

84. How satisfied are you with the following Work/Life programs 

in your agency? Elder Care Programs (for example, support 

groups, speakers)

N 3 10 18 1 1 33 54

% 36.5 9.7 26.8 58.0 3.0 2.6 100.0