Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey

Each year the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) conducts the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) administered by the Office of Personnel Management. This tool invites employees to share their perceptions about their work experiences, their agency, and leadership in order to measure employees’ perceptions of whether, and to what extent, conditions characteristic of successful organizations are present in the agency. Employee feedback is voluntary, confidential, and anonymous.

The FEVS focuses on employee perceptions regarding critical areas of their work life, areas which drive employee satisfaction, commitment, and retention in the workforce.

NEH uses FEVS data to help inform decision-making, identifying agency strengths and challenges, and strive for improvement.

The Partnership for Public Service in conjunction with the Boston Consulting Group also uses the results to determine the Best Places to Work in Federal Government rankings available at the Best Places to Work website.

2024 FEVS Overview

Overall, in 2024, most NEH employees reported positive perceptions regarding their experiences at the Endowment. The survey was open from May 20, 2024, through July 5, 2024, with a response rate of 58.7% among eligible NEH employees. The Endowment outscored Government-wide averages on most of the 2024 FEVS core items.  Of 90 elements related to work experience, work unit, agency, supervisor, leadership, overall satisfaction, and work/life programs, 87 were identified as strengths (with a rating of 65% or higher).

Key takeaways of the 2024 NEH FEVS:

  • 97% of respondents reported that it was important to them that their work contributes to the common good, and that they identify with the mission of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
  • Respondents overwhelmingly agreed that employees within their work unit meet the needs of their customers and cooperate to get the job done, scoring 99% and 96% in agreement, respectively.
  • 93% felt that NEH was successful in achieving its mission of supporting and promoting humanities research, programs, and institutions.


For Government-wide responses, go to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management site.

2024 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (PDF)

2023 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (PDF)