This file was prepared for electronic distribution by the inforM staff. Questions or comments should be directed to inform-editor@umail.umd.edu. APPENDIX 1 QUESTIONNAIRE [format changed for electronic version] Survey on Career Development in the Federal Service Privacy Act Notice: Collection of the requested information is authorized by the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. 1205a). The information you provide will be used to evaluate and improve Federal personnel policies and practices. Your participation in this survey is voluntary and none of the information you choose to supply will be associated with you individually. Report Request Address: If you would like a copy of the report published about the survey, please address your request to: U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board Office of Policy and Evaluation 1120 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20419 SECTION 1: WORK EXPERIENCE 1. What was the pay plan and grade of your first full-time, permanent civilian position in the Federal Government? a. Pay Plan: GS GM ES (SES) VM, VN, VP or other Title 38 pay plan FP or other Foreign Service plan WG or other blue-collar plan Don't know Other (Please specify) b. Pay Grade or Level: 1 6 11 16 2 7 12 17 3 8 13 18 4 9 14 Other 5 10 15 Don't know 2. What year did you enter Federal service at the grade indicated in question 1? 3. What was the job classification series of your first full-time, permanent, civilian job with the Federal Government (e.g, 0334 for computer specialists, 0810 for civil engineers, 0610 for nurses)? Please indicate your job classification series below, placing 0's in front of the number if necessary, to make it four digits. * Don't know/Can't remember 4. What is your current job classification series? Please indicate your job classification series below, placing 0's in front of the number if necessary, to make it four digits. 5. What year did you enter your current job classification series? 6. What is your current pay plan and grade? a. Pay Plan: GS GM ES (SES) VM, VN, VP or other Title 38 pay plan FP or Foreign Service plan WG or other blue-collar plan Don't know Other (Please specify) b. Pay Grade or Level: 1 6 11 16 2 7 12 17 3 8 13 18 4 9 14 Other 5 10 15 Don't know 7. Which one of the following best describes the nature of your move into your current position? Entry into Government from outside Lateral reassignment or transfer initiated by management Lateral reassignment or transfer initiated by you Career ladder promotion Temporary promotion Permanent promotion (other than career ladder) Downgrade initiated by management Downgrade you took voluntarily Other (Please specify) 8. To the best of your knowledge, were other candidates formally considered for your current position at the time you applied? Yes No Don't know/Can't remember Does not apply 9. When you got your current position, was it a: Change to a different agency? Change to a different organization within the same agency? Change within the same organization within the same agency? Entry into Government from outside? Other (Please specify) 10. Did you know the person who occupied your current position before you applied? Yes No Not sure/Don't remember Does not apply 11. Did you know the supervisor of your current position before you applied for the position? Yes No Not sure/Don't remember Does not apply 12. What was the highest level of education that you had completed (a) at the time you got your first full-time, permanent, civilian job with the Government and (b) that you have completed now? Mark one response in each column. (a) first job (b) present time Less than high school High school diploma or equivalent (e.g., GED) Completed associate's degree (e.g., AA) Some college, no degree Completed bachelor's degree (e.g., BA, BS) Some graduate school, no graduate degree Completed master's degree (e.g., MA, MS) Completed professional degree (e.g., JD, MD, DDS) Completed doctorate (e.g., PhD) SECTION 2: CAREER DEVELOPMENT 13. For the items listed below, please indicate the effect you think each has had on your career advancement in the Federal Government. Please use the following scale for each item listed: Helped a lot; Helped a little; No effect; Somewhat hindered; Largely hindered; Not applicable. 1. Formal educational qualifications 2. Previous work experience 3. Opportunity to act in a position(s) prior to appointment 4. Completion of specialized or technical training 5. Developmental assignments 6. My gender 7. My race/national origin 8. Social/informal contacts with manages in the organization 9. Having a senior person/mentor looking out for my interests 10. Social/informal contacts with personnel office staff 11. Contacts through professional association or other formal network 12. Completion of formal developmental program or managerial training 13. My performance or "track" record 14. Recommendation of friends or acquaintances who knew the selecting official 15. Having friends or acquaintances on the staff of the organization(s) where I applied 16. Other (Please specify) 14. From the list of factors shown in question 13, please mark the number of the one most important factor in your advancement. 15. How many days per month, on average, have you spent on Government travel in the past 2 years? 0-5 days/month 6-10 days/month 11-15 days/month 16-20 days/month More than 20 days/month 16. How many hours, on average, have you worked each week during the past 2 years? Less than 40 hours/week 40 hours/week 41-45 hours/week 46-50 hours/week 51-60 hours/week More than 60 hours/week 17. As a Federal employee, have you applied for a promotion in the last 5 years which you did not receive? No -- Go to question 20 Yes 18. If yes, how important do you believe each of the following factors were in explaining why you did not get the most recent promotion you applied for? Please use the following scale for each item listed below: Very important; Somewhat important; Of little importance; Of no importance/doesn't apply; Don't know. 1. I was not qualified 2. There were other, more qualified candidates 3. I did not get along with the selecting official 4. I did not want to work more than 40 hours per week 5. My gender 6. My race/national origin 7. I wanted a job which normally goes to a woman 8. I wanted a job which normally goes to a man 9. I could not change schedule to accommodate the new position 10. Someone else had already been "preselected" 11. I could not relocate 12. I was pregnant or planning to become pregnant 13. I had taken maternity/paternity leave 14. I had taken leave to care for a disabled/ill relative 15. I had taken leave to pursue my education 16. I was not "part of the group" 17. I was unable to travel 18. My responsibility for my family was viewed as interfering with my ability to do the job 19. I had poor references 20. My age 21. I did not have enough education 22. I did not have enough experience relevant to the job 23. Other (Please specify) 19. From the list of reasons shown in question 18, which do you believe was the one most important reason you did not get the promotion? 20. As a Federal employee, have you applied for a developmental opportunity (e.g., detail, training, special assignment) in the last 5 years which you did not receive? No -- Go to question 23 Yes 21. If yes, how important do you believe each of the following factors were in explaining why you did not get the most recent developmental opportunity you applied for? Please use the following scale for each item listed below: Very important, Somewhat important, Of little importance, Of no importance/doesn't apply, Don't know. 1. I was not qualified 2. There were other, more qualified candidates 3. My manager/supervisor would not support my application 4. I did not want to work more than 40 hours per week 5. My gender 6. My race/national origin 7. I applied for a developmental opportunity which normally goes to a man 8. I applied for a developmental opportunity which normally goes to a man 9. Someone else had already been "preselected" 10. I was pregnant or planning to become pregnant 11. I had taken maternity/paternity 12. I had taken leave to care for a disabled/ill relative 13. I had taken leave to pursue my education 14. I was not "part of the group" 15. I was unable to travel 16. My responsibility for my family was viewed as interfering with my ability to complete the first assignment 17. I had poor references 18. I was not seen as having enough commitment to my career 19. My age 20. I did not have enough experience relevant to the assignment 21. Other (Please specify) 22. From the list of reasons shown in question 21, which do you believe was the one most important reason you did not get the developmental opportunity? 23. How many times have you relocated geographically for the sake of your own career since you have been employed as a civilian with the Federal Government? None Once Twice Three times Four times Five or more times 24. Have you ever refused to relocate geographically while employed as a civilian with the Federal Government? No -- Go to question 25 Yes a. If yes, did it have a negative effect on your career? Yes No Don't know/Can't judge b. If you refused to relocate, what was the most important reason for your refusal? Family Lifestyle Didn't want to move to the new location Didn't want the job Didn't want to leave headquarters Didn't want to leave the field Didn't want to leave my current job Other (Please specify) 25. a. Since entering Federal service, how many absences (paid or unpaid) of more than 6 consecutive weeks have you taken? None -- Go to question 26 One Two Three Four or more 25. b. If you have taken one or more absences of more than 6 consecutive weeks while employed by the Federal Government, please mark the reasons for these absences. Mark all that apply. Birth/adoption of a child To pursue education or training Personal illness To care for a spouse or other relative Change in spouse's career Military reserve duty Other (Please specify) 26. For the items listed below, please indicate the effect you believe each would have on your chances of being selected for a promotion. Please use the following scale for each item: Very positive effect; Somewhat positive effect; No effect; Somewhat negative effect; Very negative effect; Not applicable. Hard work Ambition Gender Willingness to work extra hours Being with the organization a long time Willingness to travel Educational background Technical expertise Race/national origin Being a good "networker" Other (Please specify) 27. How likely do you think it is that you will be promoted to a higher grade level in the next 5 years? Very likely Somewhat likely Neither likely nor unlikely Somewhat unlikely Very unlikely SECTION 3: FUTURE PLANS 28. Which of the following best describes your plans affecting your career for the next 3 to 5 years? Mark all that apply. No change planned -- Go to question 31 Seek promotion within this agency Seek promotion within Federal Government but in another agency/department Leave the Federal service to work outside the Federal Government Retire from the Federal service Seek reassignment outside this agency at same grade level Seek reassignment within this agency at same grade level Take a leave of absence Resign from my current job Other (Please specify) Please answer questions 29 and 30 if you ARE planning a change in your current job situation. If you are NOT planning a change, please answer questions 31 and 32. 29. If you plan to make a change in your current job situation in the next 3 to 5 years, how important is each of the following factors in your decision to seek such a change? Please use the following scale for each item: Very important, Somewhat important, Of little importance, Of no importance/Doesn't apply. 1. To get a higher salary 2. To gain more experience 3. To have more responsibility 4. To have a job with more challenge 5. To meet family responsibilities 6. To alleviate problems with child care 7. To find a job I like better 8. To pursue the next logical step in my career plan 9. To get away from a discriminatory work environment 10. To find a supervisor I can work better with 11. To pursue educational opportunities 12. Other (please specify) 30. Of the reasons given in question 29, which one is your most important reason for planning a change? 31. If you are not planning a change in your job situation, how important is each of the following in your decision not to change? Please use the following scale for each item: Very important, Somewhat important, Of little importance, Of no importance/Doesn't apply. 1. I am satisfied with my current position 2. I need more time to gain more experience 3. I do not have the education to make a change 4. I have reached the highest level for my skills 5. I cannot take time away from my family responsibilities to devote to a new job 6. I do not want added work responsibilities 7. I can't find a job with appropriate hours 8. I don't think there are other jobs available for which I'm qualified 9. I don't want to relocate geographically 10. I have not though about my plans for the next 3 to 5 years 11. I don't think I would get a promotion if I applied for one 12. Other (Please specify) 32. Of the reasons given in question 31, which is your one most important reason for not seeking a change? SECTION 4: GENERAL OBSERVATIONS 33. For the following statements, indicate the extent to which each applies to you. Please use the following scale for each item: To a great extent, To some extent, To little extent, To no extent. I am willing to relocate to advance my career I am willing to devote whatever time is necessary to my job in order to advance my career I am very committed to my job I am always enthusiastic about my job I am, or have been, a mentor for women I am, or have been, a mentor for men I have, or have had, a male mentor(s) I have, or have had, a female mentor(s) I rely more on colleagues of my own sex rather than different- sex colleagues for career advice I rely more on colleagues of my own sex rather than different- sex colleagues for informal help with work projects or information about the organization 34. In your experience in your organization, who are more likely to get each of the following? Mark one response for each, using the following scale for each item: Men are more likely to receive, Women are more likely to receive, Neither is more likely than the other, Don't know/Can't judge. Promotions Significant work assignments Training opportunities Formal recognition or rewards 35. The following are some general statements about work life in the Federal Government. Based on your experience in your current organization, please mark your level of agreement or disagreement with each statement, using the following scale for each item: Strongly agree, Agree, Neither agree nor disagree, Disagree, Strongly disagree. In general in my organization... Having a mentor is an important part of advancement It is a disadvantage to have family responsibilities when being considered for a job Women and men are respected equally A woman must perform better than a man to be promoted People are promoted because of whom they know People are promoted based on their competence Women have been placed in positions beyond their level of competence because of affirmative employment programs A person of the opposite sex could not do my job as well as I can Standards are higher for women than men Women have made considerable progress in moving into higher level positions in the last 10 years Those who participate in social activities (e.g., sports, card games, after-work cocktails) are more likely to be promoted than those who don't The viewpoint of a woman is often not heard at a meeting until it is repeated by a man Once a woman assumes a top management position, that position often loses much of its power and prestige 36. The following are perceptions reported by some people in the Federal Government. Based on your own experiences, to what extent do you believe that managers in your organization hold the following perceptions? Please use this scale for each item: To a great extent, To some extent, To little extent, To no extent, Don't know/Can't judge In general, I think that managers in my organization believe... People should be rewarded based on their performance, regardless of whether they are men or women Men are the primary income providers, and so are more deserving of promotions than women Women are incompetent until they prove themselves competent Men are incompetent until they prove themselves competent Women are more suited to staff than line positions Men are more suited to staff than line positions Women and men can perform the same work equally well SECTION 5: GENERAL INFORMATION 37. Which of the following are you? Mark one response only. Nonsupervisor First-line supervisor (i.e., you sign performance appraisals of other employees) Second or higher level supervisor 38. What is your sex? Male Female 39. What is your race/national origin? American Indian/Alaskan Native Asian/Pacific Islander Black Hispanic White/non-Hispanic Other 40. What is the sex of your immediate supervisor? Male Female 41. Who do you work with during a normal day, excluding support staff? All men More men than women About the same numbers of men and women More women than men All women 42. Where do you currently work? Headquarters Regional office Field location 43. Where have you spent most of your career? Headquarters Regional office Field location Outside of Federal service (e.g., State/local government, privacy sector) About the same amount of time in two or more of the above 44. What is your age? Under 20 50-54 20-29 55-59 30-39 60-64 40-49 65 or older 45. How many years of (civilian) Federal Government experience do you have? Less than 1 year 15-20 years 1-5 years 20-25 years 5-10 years 25-30 years 10-15 years More than 30 years 46. How many years of employment experience do you have in your current profession outside of the Federal Government? No experience outside the Federal Government Less than 1 year 15-20 years 1-5 years 20-25 years 5-10 years 25-30 years 10-15 years More than 30 years 47. What was your most recent performance rating? Level 1 (e.g., Unacceptable or Unsatisfactory) Level 2 (e.g., Minimally Successful or Minimally Satisfactory) Level 3 (e.g., Fully Successful) Level 4 (e.g., Exceeds Fully Successful or Exceeds Fully Satisfactory) Level 5 (e.g., Outstanding) Have not had rating/Don't remember 48. Which agency do you currently work for? Agriculture Commerce Defense Air Force Army Navy Other DoD Education Energy Environmental Protection Agency General Services Administration Health and Human Services Housing and Urban Development Interior Justice Labor National Aeronautics and Space Administration Office of Personnel Management Small Business Administration State Transportation Treasury Veterans Affairs Other 49. Which agency have you worked for the longest? Agriculture Commerce Defense Air Force Army Navy Other DoD Education Energy Environmental Protection Agency General Services Administration Health and Human Services Housing and Urban Development Interior Justice Labor National Aeronautics and Space Administration Office of Personnel Management Small Business Administration State Transportation Treasury Veterans Affairs Other About the same amount of time in two or more of the above 50. To your knowledge, does your agency currently have a Federal Women's Program? Yes No Don't know/Not sure 51. Have you completed, or are you in the process of completing, an SES candidate development program? Yes -- I have completed an SES candidate development program Yes -- I am in the process of completing an SES candidate development program No -- I never completed an SES candidate development program Research has shown that living arrangements can have an impact on people's career development. We would appreciate your answering the following questions about your living arrangements at home during your Federal career. 52. Have you had children living with you at any time during your Federal career? No -- go to question 56 Yes 53. If yes, what was the greatest number of children you had living with you during your Federal career, and how many are living with you now? Mark one response in each column. At the present time During my Federal career No children One or two children Three or four children More than four children 54. During your Federal career, which age group(s) of children have lived with you? Mark all that apply. I have had living with me: Pre-school age children Elementary school age children Secondary school age children College age children 55. Right now, which age group(s) of children live with you? Mark all that apply. I have currently living with me: Pre-school age children Elementary school age children Secondary school age children College age children 56. Did you have elderly or disabled persons living with you requiring your care during most of your Federal career and do you now? 57. Have you lived with a spouse or other adult during most of your Federal career and do you now? 58. If you have dependents requiring care, would you say that you had or have primary responsibility for their care on a day-to-day basis? Answer for the following: At the present time; During most of my Federal career. I had no/have no dependents to care for I had/have primary responsibility Responsibility was/is split 50/50 between myself and another adult No -- my spouse or another adult had/has primary responsibility SECTION 6: COMMENTS Do you have any comments on barriers to advancement for men and women in the Federal service?