Introduction
Last November, a random group of VA employees participated in the 2007 Annual Employee Survey. The purpose of this survey was to help VA gain a greater understanding of the level of satisfaction about working at VA. We also wanted to gain information about employee's perceptions of leadership and management practices that contribute to agency performance. While this annual survey is required by Congress, VA intends to use the results to illustrate our growth and also highlight areas for development. For more information about the survey background, click on this link:
Survey Background.

1. Interpretation of Results
Although VA administers independent employee surveys, (i.e. by Administration, by Office, etc.) the Federal Human Capital Survey (FHCS) and the 2007 Annual Employee Survey are the only assessment tools that are administered to a sample of all VA employees. Overall, VA increased its positive response rate in 93% of the questions that appeared in the 2006 and 2007 survey. Forty percent of the questions had positive responses that were 65% or higher. Sixty-one percent were increases of 5 percentage points or more. Only 2% of the positive responses decreased by 5 or more percentage points. The greatest overall increases in positive responses were: differences in performance within the employee’s work unit were recognized (12.4%); increased satisfaction with recognition for doing a good job (12.3%); and recognizing creation and innovation (12.2%).

OPM has developed five indices that measure aspects of the Human Capital Assessment and Accountability Framework (HCAAF). The percentage of positive responses (i.e., strongly agree and agree) for each index is shown in the Chart accessible by clicking on the link: Analysis of Positive Reponses. There are a total of 42 questions that are required and that make up the indices. The five indices are: Personal Work Experiences; Recruitment, Development & Retention; Performance Culture; Leadership; and Job Satisfaction. VA respondents had the highest positive responses to items relating to their personal work experiences. The lowest percentage was for questions related to performance culture.

2. How the Survey was Conducted: The survey was conducted by means of an online tool directed to a sample of VA employees who received emails which contained a link to the Web site containing the Annual Employee Survey.

3. A Description of the Employee Sample: In order to properly compare results of the Annual Employee Survey (AES) with the FHCS, VA used the same parameters as the FHCS (i.e., full-time, permanent employees as well as the three Administrations and Staff Offices (VA-Other)). The Office of Human Resources Management contracted with the VHA National Center for Organization Development to select the sample, administer the survey and conduct data analysis, including comparing the percentage distribution of respondents for each demographic to the percentage distribution of the demographic in the target population. The survey used a random stratified sample of VA employees. The AES ended 12-19-07.

4. Results of 2007 Annual Employee Survey: Please click on preceeding link to view the survey questions and responses for all choices.

5. Employees Surveyed/Survey Respondents: Please click on the preceeding link to view demographic data and charts related to this category.