Resources

We generate research reports and agency profiles that highlight employee engagement best practices and the types of issues that affect how employees feel about their workplaces and jobs. By analyzing Best Places to Work in the Federal Government® data, we offer sound analysis and recommendations on the workplace challenges facing federal agencies.

Featured Publications

2024 Best Places to Work in the Federal Government® Communications Toolkit

This toolkit provides guidance and templates for communicating with employees about the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey and the Best Places to Work rankings, and demonstrating the value of employee feedback.

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Focus on the Front Line or Fall Behind: A Fresh Look at Federal Employee Engagement

This research report by the Partnership for Public Service and Boston Consulting Group explores the key factors driving engagement among front-line federal workers. Drawing on survey data and insights from human capital leaders, the report highlights proven strategies to better support this vital workforce.

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Leading Together: An Exploration of the Relationship Between Leadership Type and Employee Engagement

This exploratory analysis by the Partnership for Public Service’s Center for Presidential Transition and Boston Consulting Group reviewed whether there is any difference in federal employee engagement if agency subcomponents are led by political appointees or by members of the career Senior Executive Service.

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Developing a Culture of Teamwork and Collaboration

Learn how to strengthen teamwork with approaches based on our research and discussions with agency leaders.

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Engaging a Remote Workforce

Learn how to improve engagement, support employees and maintain organizational performance in a remote working environment.

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15 Editions of Best Places to Work

During the past nearly two decades, the Best Places to Work in the Federal Government® rankings have grown from a short list of agencies to the most comprehensive assessment of the employee experience across the federal civil service.

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Providing Employees with High-Quality Training and Development Opportunities

Learn how to improve the quality of training and development with actionable steps based on our research and discussions with agency leaders.

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Beyond the Beltway: How Federal Leaders Can Engage Employees Working Across the Nation

In this issue brief, the Partnership and BCG explore what federal leaders can do to engage field employees.

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A Prescription for Better Performance: Engaging Employees at VA Medical Centers

We analyzed data over a three-year period from nearly 150 medical centers operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and found a strong correlation between employee engagement and higher patient satisfaction, better service and more talent retention.

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Featured Videos

Watch this video in the Partnership’s “Our Government Explained” series for some eye-opening fun facts about some of the many ways our government keeps us safe, healthy and secure throughout the day—whether you’re traveling by plane, driving down the highway or simply eating breakfast, showering or brushing your teeth.

Our guest in this BPTW Speaker Series is Katharine Kelley, Chief Human Capital Officer at Army Futures Command. Katharine discusses actions her organization take after receiving the FEVS results, and what the FEVS results mean to her team's employee engagement strategy.

Our next guest in the Best Places to Work in the Federal Government® Speaker Series, supported by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), is Dr. Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA). Assistant Secretary Delphin-Rittmon discusses strategies SAMSHA executed to improve employee engagement and satisfaction, and offers advice on how other federal leaders can achieve the same.

Featured Blog Posts

Aligning the customer experience, the employee experience and the digital experience for a better government

In today’s federal government, the synergy between the customer experience, the employee experience and the digital experience is essential for delivering good public services.

Recent trends in quits and retirements in the federal workforce

The Partnership for Public Service recently examined attrition in the federal workforce over a five year period, from fiscal 2019 to fiscal 2023. The work builds on our Fed Figures report on previous attrition trends, as well as an analysis of additional data from fiscal 2019 through fiscal 2021.

Opportunities to turn a corner on federal employee engagement and satisfaction

Much like other sectors, the federal workforce faced uncertainty throughout 2022. Agencies were considering how to balance the needs of their mission and employee health in the midst of the pandemic while employees had to contend with a strained economy and changing workplace expectations.

Engaging employees at federal agencies

New research by the Partnership for Public Service and Boston Consulting Group shows that many federal agencies are struggling to improve employee engagement, with leaders and the workforce facing an array of challenges that include transitioning to new ways of working due to the fallout from COVID-19 pandemic.

The Intelligence Community: Meaningful work, great leaders, diverse opportunities and work-life balance

The Intelligence Community has been near the top of the Best Places to Work in the Federal Government® rankings for the past decade, placing fourth in 2021 out of the 17 large agencies rated by the Partnership for Public Service and Boston Consulting Group. Here’s why IC employees chose the IC, have high engagement and satisfaction, and remain in their jobs.