2013 Federal Employee Benefits Survey Coming Soon

This summer, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management will administer the 2013 Federal Employee Benefits Survey (FEBS) to a random sample of Federal Government employees.

This summer, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management will administer the 2013 Federal Employee Benefits Survey (FEBS) to a random sample of Federal Government employees. In 2010, the traditional benefits questions were removed from the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey, necessitating the FEBS as the main data collection effort for comprehensive employee benefits. The FEBS was last administered in 2011.

The main purpose of the survey is to measure the importance, adequacy and value of employee benefits to ensure that available benefits align with best practices and employee needs. The FEBS will also help to evaluate whether or not Federal employees understand the flexibilities and benefits available to them. Additionally, based on the ongoing focus on health and wellness programs across all Federal agencies, the survey will capture information regarding employee perceptions of health status and healthy living. As was the case in 2011, the 2013 FEBS will contain a section about the fully covered tobacco cessation benefit offered by all Federal Employees Health Benefit (FEHB) Plans.

The 2013 FEBS will be administered confidentially via e-mail to a random sample of Federal Government employees. Agency supervisors should be advised that employees may complete the approximately 15-minute survey during work hours. The survey will be available online for a period of four weeks with periodic reminders e-mailed to respondents. As with previous administrations of the FEBS, the results will be reported Governmentwide and will be used in the development of benefits policy and educational programs.

About the Author

Ian Smith is one of the co-founders of FedSmith.com. He has over 20 years of combined experience in media and government services, having worked at two government contracting firms and an online news and web development company prior to his current role at FedSmith.