Summary
In November 2002, USAID conducted its second annual survey of employee perceptions of agency services. The results showed progress in the past year but the agency still has a lot of work ahead.
Strengths and Challenges
- The survey got a high overall response rate of 42% (3,485 responses) for this type of survey. Participation rates varied by staff type. For example, Foreign Service staff responded at a 62% rate, Civil Service responded at a 54% rate and rest at a 35% rate.
- A majority of agency staff rate their overall morale as "outstanding" or "good". However, only about half of the staff think the agency is moving in the right direction.
- The trend is positive for each of the four targeted services. Human resources improved by 20 points, information services improved by 20 points, financial management improved by 37 points and procurement services improved by 37 points.
- Scores improved in all areas with only one area (HR) failing to meet its improvement targets. The survey also collected 272 pages of narrative responses on issues and problems for review and action by the various service offices.
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Margin Favorable | 2001 Survey | 2002 Survey | Improvement |
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Administrative Services | NA | 53.9 | NA |
| Information Services | 51.3 | 71.0 | 19.8 |
| Financial Services | -0.1 | 36.9 | 37.0 |
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Procurement Services | 22.7 | 60.1 | 37.4 |
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Human Resources | -9.6 | 10.7 | 20.3 |
Conclusion
Our baseline survey in 2001 confirmed the general impression that agency services needed to be improved and that senior management needed to focus its attention on addressing employee concerns. Improvement is still needed but the survey in 2002 shows that we are headed in the right direction and that the changes made in the past year are seen by agency staff as important.
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