FEVS 2021 to help set conditions for future workplace success

By Kari HawkinsNovember 10, 2021

The 2021 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey is now available to a sampling of federal employees. Input from these employees will be used to further build a successful work environment at all federal agencies. Army Materiel Command is home to the Army's largest civilian workforce that participates in the survey. (U.S. Army Graphic)
The 2021 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey is now available to a sampling of federal employees. Input from these employees will be used to further build a successful work environment at all federal agencies. Army Materiel Command is home to the Army's largest civilian workforce that participates in the survey. (U.S. Army Graphic) (Photo Credit: U.S. Army Graphic) VIEW ORIGINAL

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- The 2021 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey is now in some civilian employee inboxes.

Not all Army Materiel Command civilian employees will receive the 2021 survey.

This year’s FEVS, delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, involves a sampling of civilians across all federal agencies, taking a condensed survey in a shorter time frame, with the expectation that all federal civilian employees will be invited to participate in a larger survey in spring 2022.

With a smaller survey sampling, it becomes more imperative that those randomly selected take the time to complete the survey, with the results used to shape the future of the civilian work environment.

“This is an excellent opportunity to share feedback with AMC leaders,” said AMC Chief of Staff Brig. Gen. Walt Duzzny.

“Based on the feedback provided on the 2020 FEVS, we have integrated strategic objectives and associated tasks into our AMC People Strategy to address areas of employee, supervisory and leadership development programs; work-life integration; and performance management and recognition. The more people who take the survey, the better idea we have of the concerns and needs of the civilian population.”

Traditionally, AMC civilians have a significant impact on survey results due to the size of the organization.

“The AMC civilian employee population is one of the largest in the Department of Defense and the largest in Department of the Army,” said AMC’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Human Resources (G-1) Max Wyche.

“The FEVS is one of the primary avenues for us to make our voices heard, to inform DOD Civilian personnel policies and to enlighten Army leadership on what areas need additional focus within our Human Capital strategies.”

Annual workforce surveys are essential to stay connected to trends in the workplace, he said. OPM’s goal – as well as the Army’s and AMC’s goal – is to be responsive to changing conditions that might impact the needs of employees and agencies.

Providing survey feedback on job experiences, supervisors, leadership and the workplace is used to support improvements within the civilian’s government agency, and to evaluate government-wide policies and programs.

“Army leaders can only make effective Human Capital transformation decisions when properly informed through and equipped with clear viewpoints from the workforce. This is one opportunity for employees to help shape and inform construction of the Army Materiel Command 21st Century Workplace,” Wyche said.

“FEVS21 results and responses will be used to directly inform the AMC People Strategy and leveraged to enable sound resourcing decisions.”

Just like with FEVS20, the results of FEVS21 will be used to develop strategic objectives and tasks for the AMC People Strategy, said Dr. Sara Stellatella, a Human Resources Specialist in G-1’s Plans, Analysis and Integration Branch. Following FEVS20, new initiatives were taken in several areas, including talent development, workplace flexibilities and work-life integration programs.

The selection of participating civilians was done randomly and responses are always confidential. AMC leadership is only provided with summary reports that combine employee responses, and leave no way to identify one employee’s responses over another’s.

“We are encouraging all recipients to complete the survey as this will increase the robustness of our results and better inform our policies and programs,” Stellatella said.

The Army’s participation goal is 50% and AMC has set a command-wide goal of 40%. The streamlined survey only takes about 20 minutes to complete and should be done during regular work hours. The deadline to complete is Dec. 3.

“The questionnaire includes some familiar core content regarding employee engagement and satisfaction and questions about the federal government’s response to COVID-19 pandemic as integrated during 2020. Participants will also see new questions on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs, and accessibility,” Stellatella said.

For the streamlined FEVS, response rates and results will be reported only at the Department of Army level with no organizational reports provided.

“In previous years, we utilized our command reports in a data-driven approach to inform our AMC People Strategy initiatives, and command policies and programs,” Stellatella said. “For FEVS21, the reporting will be streamlined and available at the Department-level; this will inform DA’s Army People Strategy and associated efforts, which will further shape our command initiatives.”

The results of FEVS21 and other workforce surveys will continue to support AMC’s People First priority and shape the AMC work environment, she said.

As AMC continues workforce initiatives, the results of FEVS21 will continue to influence the “tangible actions to transition into the 21st Century Workplace, from further refining and applying our telework and remote work accommodations to talent management throughout the career lifecycle,” she said.