DOT employees give Department a thumbs-up

Every day, DOT employees are working hard to make life better for Americans across the country through safer, cleaner, and more efficient transportation. But we can't fulfill that goal for the nation unless DOT team members feel good about the DOT workplace.

Today, I'm happy to report that--according to the 2010 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey--DOT employees are feeling a lot better about what goes on around here.

DOT employees and senior leaders at departmental Town Hall meeting

The last survey taken was in 2008, and it looks like things have improved considerably at DOT since then. For such a large department--over 55,000 people--the early results are remarkable.

For example, in 2010, 75.3% of those surveyed said their work gives them a feeling of personal accomplishment, up from only 70.9% in 2008.  Similarly, in 2010, 88.7% said they like the kind of work they do, up from 84.5% in 2008. Those are significant improvements.

Responding to questions during a recent Town Hall

And this boost in employee satisfaction is no accident. I have been personally engaged in the effort to improve DOT. Since joining DOT, I initiated town hall meetings with employees around the country, and I have also held regular open-door office hours where employees are free to let me know what's on their minds.

I also made a point early on to all of DOT's senior leaders that I see improving our workplace as an obligation to the American people. A good workplace provides leadership development, clear internal communications, and a fair but challenging performance culture.

That's the kind of environment DOT employees deserve, and it's what Americans deserve from their federal agencies.

One development I'm particularly pleased with is DOT employees' broader survey participation. This year, the DOT survey sample size jumped to 9,617 employees responding, a huge leap from the 6,354 who responded in 2008. I hope the fact that more people took the time to respond to the survey indicates a deeper engagement with their work.

Being ranked very near the bottom in 2008 gives DOT the opportunity to demonstrate substantial progress in employee satisfaction this year. And we achieved that.

A recent Town Hall meeting at DOT headquarters

But you can't just wish something would improve, cross your fingers, and wait for change. The results we seek take persistent, effective effort.  And we have been fortunate at DOT to have senior leaders who share my commitment to making this Department work better.  The gains announced today would not be possible without their leadership.

And we're just getting started. Today we'll begin using the 2010 survey results to learn what areas of concern we need to address, and we will immediately set about addressing those areas.

Sure, we're doing better. And that's good news. But we can do more.

Comments

[Sylvia Wharfside]

That's all well and good. But how to the rest of Americans feel about the DOT employee?

You'd be utterly surprised.
These workers don't exactly walk on water now do they?

[Internal communications templates]

Sounds like the DoT is ahead of the game with internal communications. Any organisation which can't engage and motivate its people is very vulnerable in the current climate and great two-way comms is the answer.