BBG Watch Commentary
The following notice was emailed to Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) federal employees, including Voice of America (VOA) journalists, by the International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB), the BBG’s management arm in Washington, DC.
From: IBB Notices Admin
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2014 1:49 PM
To: IBB Notices Administration
Subject: Spirit Day Celebration
Federal employees of the Broadcasting Board of Governors work for the International Broadcasting Bureau, the Voice of America and the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (OCB – Radio and TV Marti.) This management initiative does not apply to employees of Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Radio Free Asia (RFA) and Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN – Radio Sawa and Alhurra TV).
These three entities are non-federal and are managed separately by their own management teams.
A Voice of America journalist wrote after receiving this notice from the BBG/IBB Management:
“I guess they are wanting us to dress in Halloween costumes?
This place sometimes feels like an episode of ‘The Office.’
What a stupid, silly idea. They spend time on fluff like this when they should be putting every effort into making substantive changes in senior leadership, management practices and improved training.”
A former Voice of America employee wrote:
“The message the agency is delivering to Congress and others is that they don’t take failure of the agency’s mission seriously.”
As the initial BBG results from the 2014 Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) show, these senior management’s efforts at workplace engagement, which also included Bingo Nights and Ice Cream Socials, are not working and, if anything, show rank and file employees that the management is trying to avoid serious reforms with these kinds of meaningless gimmicks. Employee morale and respect for senior leaders at one of the worst managed federal agencies continue to decline.
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Significant Declines in OPM 2014 Employee Survey for BBG Senior Leaders’ Skills and Agency Management (Federal Government Entities Only)
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2014 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey – BBG Results
The Office of Personnel Management has provided the initial BBG results from the 2014 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS). Thank you for taking time to provide your feedback.
Among eligible employees, 69% took the survey. The results show that individual belief and commitment to our work remains very high, above 90%. However, there were significant decreases (a difference of 5 percentage points or more) on 14 survey questions related to employee involvement in decision making, employee recognition, and overall job and organizational satisfaction.
While the agency continued to see modest increases in responses related to work/life programs, there were declines in areas that are persistent challenges, including leadership.
This initial OPM data release provides agency-wide responses. OPM is expected to release additional data for the BBG and the rest of the government that provides useful context and detail later this month. The results will continue to shape the agency’s ongoing efforts to improve workplace engagement. All of us are committed to making this a better place to work.
The initial FEVS results are posted here: http://www.bbg.gov/about-the-agency/research-reports/federal-employee-viewpoint-surveys/
André Mendes
Rob Bole
Suzie Carroll
David Ensor
Carlos García-Perez
[/aside]
I recommend my organization as a good place to work. 6.36% Decline Between 2013 and 2014
In my organization, senior leaders generate high levels of motivation and commitment in the workforce. 2.89% Decline Between 2013 and 2014
My organization’s leaders maintain high standards of honesty and integrity. 4.79% Decline Between 2013 and 2014
I have a high level of respect for my organization’s senior leaders. 6.22% Decline Between 2013 and 2014
How satisfied are you with your involvement in decisions that affect your work? 6.78% Decline Between 2013 and 2014
How satisfied are you with the information you receive from management on what’s going on in your organization? 2.27% Decline Between 2013 and 2014
How satisfied are you with the recognition you receive for doing a good job? 5.96% Decline Between 2013 and 2014
How satisfied are you with the policies and practices of your senior leaders? 3.9% Decline Between 2013 and 2014
Considering everything, how satisfied are you with your job? 5.16% Decline Between 2013 and 2014
I have sufficient resources (for example, people, materials, budget) to get my job done. 2014 Percent Positive: 29.60%. 2013 Percent Positive: 35.12% 5.52% Decline Between 2013 and 2014
Promotions in my work are based on merit. 2014 Percent Positive: 28.15%. 2013 Percent Positive: 28.52% 0.37% Decline Between 2013 and 2014
Creativity and innovation are rewarded. 2014 Percent Positive: 28.47%. 2013 Percent Positive: 30.11% 1.64% Decline Between 2013 and 2014
In my work unit, steps are taken yo deal with a poor performer who cannot or will not improve. 2014 Percent Positive: 23.85%. 2013 Percent Positive: 25.28% 1.43% Decline Between 2013 and 2014
I can disclose a suspected violation of any law, rule or regulation without fear of reprisal. 2014 Percent Positive: 45.20%. 2013 Percent Positive: 46.69% 1.49% Decline Between 2013 and 2014
Pay raises depend on how well employees perform their jobs. 2014 Percent Positive: 14.61%. 2013 Percent Positive: 15.38% 0.77% Decline Between 2013 and 2014
BROADCASTING BOARD OF GOVERNORS
2013 AND 2014 FEDERAL EMPLOYEE VIEWPOINT SURVEY RESULTS COMPARED
Recommend Organization As A Good Place to Work
2013
[wppb progress=46 option=”animated-candystripe blue” fullwidth=true text=”I recommend my organization as a good place to work. Percent Positive 2013 – 46.42%”]2014
[wppb progress=40 option=”animated-candystripe red” fullwidth=true text=”I recommend my organization as a good place to work. Percent Positive 2014 – 40.06%”]6.36% Decline Between 2013 and 2014
Commitment Of Senior Leaders To Workforce
2013
[wppb progress=32 option=”animated-candystripe blue” fullwidth=true text=”In my organization, senior leaders generate high levels of motivation and commitment in the workforce. Percent Positive 2013 – 32.36%”]2014
[wppb progress=29 option=”animated-candystripe red” fullwidth=true text=”In my organization, senior leaders generate high levels of motivation and commitment in the workforce. Percent Positive 2014 – 29.47%”]2.89% Decline Between 2013 and 2014
High Standards Of Honesty And Integrity By Organization’s Leaders
2013
[wppb progress=41 option=”animated-candystripe blue” fullwidth=true text=”My organization’s leaders maintain high standards of honesty and integrity. Percent Positive 2013 – 41.79%”]2014
[wppb progress=37 option=”animated-candystripe red” fullwidth=true text=”My organization’s senior leaders maintain high standards of honesty and integrity. Percent Positive 2014 – 37.00%”]4.79% Decline Between 2013 and 2014
Respect for Senior Leaders
2013
[wppb progress=45 option=”animated-candystripe blue” fullwidth=true text=”I have a high level of respect for my organization’s senior leaders. Percent Positive 2013 – 45.75%”]2014
[wppb progress=39 option=”animated-candystripe red” fullwidth=true text=”I have a high level of respect for my organization’s senior leaders. Percent Positive 2014 – 39.53%”]6.22% Decline Between 2013 and 2014
Employee Involvement
2013
[wppb progress=45 option=”animated-candystripe blue” fullwidth=true text=”How satisfied are you with your involvement in decisions that affect your work? Percent Positive 2013 – 45.41%”]2014
[wppb progress=38 option=”animated-candystripe red” fullwidth=true text=”How satisfied are you with your involvement in decisions that affect your work? Percent Positive 2014 – 38.63%”]6.78% Decline Between 2013 and 2014
Information Sharing By Management
2013
[wppb progress=38 option=”animated-candystripe blue” fullwidth=true text=”How satisfied are you with the information you receive from management on what’s going on in your organization? Percent Positive 2013 – 38.99%”]2014
[wppb progress=36 option=”animated-candystripe red” fullwidth=true text=”How satisfied are you with the information you receive from management on what’s going on in your organization? Percent Positive 2014 – 36.72%”]2.27% Decline Between 2013 and 2014
Management Recognition of Employee Achievement
2013
[wppb progress=41 option=”animated-candystripe blue” fullwidth=true text=”How satisfied are you with the recognition you receive for doing a good job? Percent Positive 2013 – 41.77%”]2014
[wppb progress=35 option=”animated-candystripe red” fullwidth=true text=”How satisfied are you with the recognition you receive for doing a good job? Percent Positive 2014 – 35.81%”]5.96% Decline Between 2013 and 2014
Employee Satisfaction With Policies and Practices of Senior Leaders
2013
[wppb progress=32 option=”animated-candystripe blue” fullwidth=true text=”How satisfied are you with the policies and practices of your senior leaders? Percent Positive 2013 – 32.81%”]2014
[wppb progress=28 option=”animated-candystripe red” fullwidth=true text=”How satisfied are you with the policies and practices of your senior leaders? Percent Positive 2014 – 28.91%”]3.9% Decline Between 2013 and 2014
Employee Job Satisfaction
2013
[wppb progress=64 option=”animated-candystripe blue” fullwidth=true text=”Considering everything, how satisfied are you with your job? Percent Positive 2013 – 64.31%”]2014
[wppb progress=59 option=”animated-candystripe red” fullwidth=true text=”Considering everything, how satisfied are you with your job? Percent Positive 2014 – 59.15%”]5.16% Decline Between 2013 and 2014
Employee Satisfaction With Organization
2013
[wppb progress=47 option=”animated-candystripe blue” fullwidth=true text=”Considering everything, how satisfied are you with your organization? Percent Positive 2013 – 47.30%”]2014
[wppb progress=42 option=”animated-candystripe red” fullwidth=true text=”Considering everything, how satisfied are you with your organization? Percent Positive 2014 – 42.23%”]5.07% Decline Between 2013 and 2014