ALCOAST 331/18 - SEP 2018 COAST GUARD 2018 FEDERAL EMPLOYEE VIEWPOINT SURVEY (FEVS) RESULTS

R 261412 SEP 18
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//VCG//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N12900//
ALCOAST 331/18
COMDTNOTE 12900
SUBJ:  COAST GUARD 2018 FEDERAL EMPLOYEE VIEWPOINT SURVEY (FEVS) RESULTS
1. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) released the final response rates report for
the 2018 FEVS. In FY 2018, 100% of eligible civilians employees were surveyed. The response
rate was 40.3%, with 7,927 surveys administered and 3,191 surveys completed. Although the
2017 response rate was 45.7%, the actual number of surveys completed in FY 2018 exceeded the
FY 2017 completion of 2,885 when 83% of civilian employees were surveyed.
2. On 29 August 2018, Acting Deputy Secretary Claire M. Grady, released a message to all
DHS employees that highlighted the Departments improved survey results. As the Acting Deputy
Secretary states, “Overall, the DHS Employee Engagement Index (EEI), a set of FEVS questions
focusing on engagement and morale, held steady at 60% positive. The two other key indicators
that are broadly tracked, the Global Satisfaction and New IQ indices, each increased one
percentage point. Global Satisfaction is an indicator of satisfaction with the organization
overall, including pay. New IQ focuses on inclusive work environments.”
3. The Coast Guard remains a leader, ranked first or second within DHS, across all of the
measured engagement indices. The DHS Component Engagement Index Comparison measures employees’
sense of purpose that is evident in their display of dedication, persistence, and effort in
their work or overall attachment to their organization and its mission. The 2018 FEVS results
reflect that the Coast Guard’s overall engagement index score was tied for the highest within
DHS at 73%. The Global Satisfaction Index measures employee satisfaction about four aspects
related to their work: their job, their pay, their organization, and whether they would
recommend their organization as a good place to work; the Coast Guard score is 71%. The New
IQ Index measures inclusive workplace environments; the Coast Guard score is 66%.
4. Our initial analysis of the results shows in general the USCG civilian employees are highly
positive about their work; they are willing to put forth extra effort to get the job done; and
they believe the work they do is important, that the quality of work their unit produces is
high, and that the agency is successful in accomplishing its mission. Areas which USCG
civilians viewed as challenges are consistent with 2016 and 2017 FEVS results and include:
linkages between pay raises and performance, desire for more opportunities for advancement,
proper management of poor performers, insufficient resources to get the job done, and desire
that promotions be based on merit.
5. Your valuable feedback and participation in the survey are greatly appreciated and ensures
that we remain focused on our strengths and address our challenges. The DHS Secretary, Acting
Deputy Secretary, the Under Secretary for Management and the Commandant and I are steadfast
in our efforts to improve our work environment. The Coast Guard is committed to further
assessing the results as they become available and developing action plans that address our
challenges and build on our many strengths. We are committed to using your feedback to
continue to make the Coast Guard an employer of choice within DHS and the entire Federal
Government.
6. As soon as additional results are available from OPM and DHS, we will release an
ALCOAST to the workforce. 
7. Contact Ms. Brooke Lawson for Coast Guard specific FEVS questions at 252-498-9860 or at
Brooke.M.Lawson@uscg.mil.
8. ADM Charles W. Ray, Vice Commandant, sends.
9. Internet release authorized.