Benefits January 24, 2006

Federal Workers Take Pride in Work, Want More Training

January 24, 2006 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - Preliminary findings from the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) indicated that 46% of the federal workforce "would like additional training to improve their job performance," and 36% believe they have not received sufficient training to perform their duties.
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However, govexec.com reports that MSPB found that only 33% had communicated this desire for more training to their supervisors as part of career development plans. Forty-eight percent said they view their supervisors as a resource for improving workplace skills.

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On other matters, federal workers are mostly satisfied, with 71% saying they like their jobs. Ninety-eight percent of respondents said they are motivated by pride in their work, according to govexec.com. Eighty percent said they believe their organizations “provide high-quality products and services to the public.” Eighty-six percent said their jobs are meaningful, and 94% said they believe their agency’s mission is important.

Other early findings of the survey include:

  • 81% of respondents said instruction should come through agency-sponsored formal training, and 77% said it should be from “on-the-job developmental experiences,”
  • More than 60% of employees said they were satisfied with their pay, but only 40% expressed satisfaction with the recognition and awards they receive,
  • 60% of employees surveyed said they think their jobs are secure,
  • 64% of respondents said they had the resources needed to do their work.

The survey of 37,000 employees canvassed across 24 agencies was conducted by the MSPB Office of Policy and Evaluation.

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