ALCOAST 395/19 - DEC 2019 COAST GUARD 2019 FEDERAL EMPLOYEE VIEWPOINT SURVEY (FEVS) RESULTS

R 201452 DEC 19
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//VCG//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N12900//
ALCOAST 395/19
COMDTNOTE 12900
SUBJ:  COAST GUARD 2019 FEDERAL EMPLOYEE VIEWPOINT SURVEY (FEVS) RESULTS
1. The Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) was administered from 23 May to 05 July 2019.
As with 2018, it was a census survey, meaning every eligible Coast Guard civilian employee was
provided the opportunity to participate. Our Coast Guard response rate was 40.0%, just slightly
lower than 2018 (40.3%), and slightly trailing DHS (42.3%) and Government-wide (42.6%) response
rates. Thank you to all the civilian employees who took the time to respond to this important
workforce survey. The Office of Personnel Management issued agency and component level results for
the 2019 FEVS, including Government-wide results.
2. On 24 September 2019, Acting Secretary Kevin K. McAleenan released a message to all DHS
employees that highlighted the Department’s improved FEVS results. The Acting Secretary stated,
“In addition to increased participation, I am pleased to announce that we continued to see positive
FEVS score results for the fourth year in a row. Overall, the DHS Employee Engagement Index (EEI),
a set of FEVS questions focusing on engagement and morale, increased from 60% to 62%. In our
operational components, the United States Secret Service increased seven percentage points, and the
United States Coast Guard had the highest EEI of all components at 76%.”
3. The Coast Guard remains a leader across all of the measured engagement indices, ranked first or
second within the DHS components and above the DHS and Government-wide scores. The Employee
Engagement Index (EEI) 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 missions. The 2019 FEVS results reflect that the Coast Guard’s overall engagement index score
improved 3% from 2018. Additionally, 162 out of 184 (87%) of the reported Coast Guard organizations
have a 65% or higher EEI score. Note: Reported organizations have 10 or more survey respondents.
4. The Coast Guard results on the other measured engagement indices are equally impressive. 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 74%, an increase of 3% from 2018 and ranked second in
DHS only slightly behind USCIS. The New IQ Index measures inclusive workplace environments; the
Coast Guard score is 70%, an increase in 4% from 2018 and ranked highest in DHS.
5. OPM considers a positive response rating of 65% or more as a strength, and 35% or higher
negative response rating as a challenge. For the Coast Guard, 51 of the 74 core survey items are
identified as strengths, and only 2 as challenges. Analysis of the highest percentage positive
results shows the Coast Guard civilian employees are willing to put forth extra effort to get the
job done (97% positive); are constantly looking for ways to do their jobs better (93% positive);
believe the work they do is important (92% positive); highly rate the overall quality of work done
at their work unit (89% positive); and know how their work relates to the agency's goals
(89% positive). Areas which Coast Guard civilians viewed as challenges, or the highest percentages
of negative responses, include believing that pay raises depend on how well employees perform their
jobs (41% negative) and having sufficient resources to get their job done (35% negative). Other
areas for improvement include: desire for more opportunities for advancement, proper management of
poor performers, and belief that the survey results will be used to make the agency a better place
to work.
6. A new COMDT (CG-12) CG Portal Page, FEVS and Engagement, has been created to host Coast Guard level FEVS results, analysis tools, and engagement resources. The 2019 FEVS Coast Guard Annual Employee Survey report (AES) and Coast Guard level reports are posted here:
https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/units/cg121/SitePages/FEVS.aspx. Detailed organization level reports
have been provided to senior leaders for review and action. Organizations that are interested in
conducting further analysis of results can use the tools available on the CG Portal page to
identify strengths and challenges, as well as develop action plans for improvement. All leaders,
managers, and supervisors are encouraged to look further at your organization’s results, strengths
and challenges, so that we can work together to make continuous improvements.
7. I greatly appreciate your feedback and participation in the FEVS. The Commandant and I are
steadfast in our efforts to improve our work environment. 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.
8. Contact Ms. Brooke Lawson for Coast Guard specific FEVS questions at 252-498-9860 or at
Brooke.M.Lawson@uscg.mil.
9. ADM Charles W. Ray, Vice Commandant, sends.
10. Internet release is authorized.