Q1. What is the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board?

The U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board is an independent, quasi-judicial agency in the Executive branch that serves as the guardian of Federal merit systems. In addition to hearing Federal employee appeals, MSPB is responsible for conducting studies to assess Federal merit systems and ensure they are consistent with the merit system principles and are free of prohibited personnel practices.

Q2. What is Westat and why is it sending me information about an MSPB survey?

Westat is MSPB's survey support contractor. They are handling all of the logistical aspects of the Merit Principles Survey 2007.

Q3. What is the purpose of this survey?

The Merit Principles Survey is a tool that measures the “health” of Federal merit systems over time. MSPB will use the data to study how well the Federal Government is managing its workforce in adherence to the merit system principles. We have periodically conducted the survey since 1983 as part of our statutory oversight responsibilities. In addition, some agencies are using the MPS 2007 to meet their Federal annual survey requirement.

Q4.  What is the Federal annual survey requirement?

By law, all Federal agencies are now required to conduct an annual survey of their employees using 45 prescribed questions. The law also requires agencies to post the survey results on their web sites. MSPB offered agencies the option of using the Merit Principles Survey 2007 (MPS 2007) to meet this requirement. So, for those agencies that opted to use the MPS for this purpose, the survey will ask the mandated 45 questions.

Q5. Why is my response important?

Your response will help to improve the way the Federal workforce is managed! Because you are part of a random sample of Government employees, your views about your work and work environment will represent those of the larger Federal workforce. This is an opportunity for you to impact policy by voicing your opinions and concerns about workforce issues.

Q6. How was I selected for the survey?

MSPB randomly selected you from a list of all employees at your agency. We used accepted sampling techniques to ensure that by using your responses, and those of your coworkers who also participate, we can draw general conclusions about each agency's workforce as well as the overall Federal workforce. In addition, some agencies who are using the Merit Principles Survey as their annual survey requested that we invite all their employees to participate.

Q7. I recently moved to a new position. How do I fill out the survey?

Please complete the survey with regard to your new position. However, if you do not feel comfortable answering the entire survey in regard to your new position, please answer all of the questions from the perspective of your last position.

Q8. How long will it take to complete the survey?

You should be able to complete the survey in approximately 30 minutes. It may be completed in multiple sittings if necessary.

Q9. Can I complete the survey during working hours?

Yes, you may complete the survey during work hours. MSPB is authorized to collect this information by Section 1204 of Title 5, US Code. We have notified your agency leadership of this survey and asked them to allow you approximately 30 minutes to complete the survey during work hours. You or your manager may contact the head of your HR office to confirm this statement.

Q10. Who will see my responses?

Only MSPB and our survey contractor, Westat, will have access to your individual responses. MSPB will treat all information that you provide confidentially. Survey results will not be reported to your organization in a way that will allow identification of your individual responses.

Q11. How will the survey results be used?

Responses from all survey respondents will be compiled and analyzed by MSPB professionals. They will identify trends within the Federal Government regarding how well the workforce is managed to support both merit and mission accomplishment. Survey results will be published in a report to the President, Congress, and other decision-makers to help inform legislation and policy reform. [For agencies participating in the annual survey requirement]: Agency survey responses from the Merit Principles Survey 2007 will be posted, as required by law, on the agency web site. Keep in mind, no data will be reported that could be used to identify specific participants.

Q12. Who do I contact if I have questions related to the survey?

If you have questions that are not addressed on this web site, please email MeritPrinciplesSurvey@mspb.gov or call 1-888-260-4798.

Q13. How can I see the survey results?

If you would like to be notified when the report is released, please subscribe to the MSPB Studies LISTSERV.

 

MSPB wants to assure survey participants that your involvement in the Merit Principles Survey 2007 is both voluntary and confidential. This Privacy Statement identifies MSPB's authorization to conduct this survey and explains how we will manage the data we receive.

•  In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-579), your responses to this survey are completely voluntary. There is no penalty if you choose not to participate. However, we encourage your participation to ensure that our data is complete and representative of the Federal workforce.

•  Collection of the information is authorized by Section 1204 of Title 5, US Code.

•  The purpose of collecting this information is to study how well the Federal Government is managing its workforce in adherence to the merit system principles. The results of the survey will be shared with the President, Congress, and other Federal decision-makers to be used in developing policy that supports both merit and mission accomplishment.

•  MSPB will provide, on request, summary data reports for the agency and for certain subcomponents after the MPS 2007 report has been published. No data will be disclosed that could be used to identify individual employees.

•  Only MSPB staff and our survey support contractor staff will have access to individually completed surveys. The information you provide will be analyzed and reported on for the whole Federal workforce population and for certain subgroups.

•  In any public release of survey results, no data will be disclosed that could be used to identify individual participants.

If you would like to be notified when the report is released, please subscribe to the Studies LISTSERV.