State Employee Survey - November 2007
1. Employment Status:
 Response
Percent		Response
Count
Full-time
99.1%18255
Part-time
0.9%158
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2. What is the total number of years you have worked for the state?
 Response
Percent		Response
Count
Less than 1 year
1.1%198
1 - 2 years
11.4%2057
3 - 5 years
12.1%2192
6 - 10 years
19.9%3603
11 - 20 years
33.9%6141
More than 20 years
21.6%3909
 answered question18094
 
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3. What is your gender?
 Response
Percent		Response
Count
Male
37.2%6721
Female
62.8%11331
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4. What is your ethnic origin?
 Response
Percent		Response
Count
White
64.9%11649
Black
11.5%2073
Hispanic
19.9%3566
Asian/Pacific Islander
1.2%223
Native American/Alaskan
0.8%141
Other
1.8%315
 (please specify)292
 answered question17959
 
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5. In which generation were you born?
 Response
Percent		Response
Count
Traditionalist – Prior to 1946
5.4%975
Baby Boomers – 1947 to 1964
60.5%10888
Generation X – 1965 to 1985
33.9%6094
Generation Y – 1986 to 2001
0.2%41
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6. What is your annual gross salary (before taxes, deductions, garnishments, etc)?
 Response
Percent		Response
Count
Less than $15,000
0.3%58
$15,000 - $20,000
2.1%376
$20,001 - $25,000
9.6%1718
$25,001 - $35,000
27.7%4961
$35,001 - $45,000
25.5%4564
$45,001 - $55,000
16.7%2990
$55,001 - $65,000
9.1%1622
$65,001 or over
8.9%1595
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7. What is your highest education level completed?
 Response
Percent		Response
Count
Did not finish high school
0.2%42
High school diploma (or GED)
12.5%2250
Some college
26.9%4836
Associate Degree
9.9%1776
Bachelor’s Degree
35.3%6341
Master’s Degree
11.9%2144
Doctoral Degree
3.3%588
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8. Which best describes the location where you live?
 Response
Percent		Response
Count
200,000 population or larger
41.5%7430
100,001 – 199,999 population
12.5%2227
50,001 – 100,000 population
11.9%2134
25,001 – 50,000 population
11.4%2040
Less than 25,000
22.7%4057
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9. In which agency do you work?
 Response
Percent		Response
Count
Administrative Hearing, Texas State Office of (SOAH)
0.1%11
Aging and Disability Services, Texas Department of (DADS)
6.6%1166
Agriculture, Texas Department of (TDA)
0.1%11
Alcoholic Beverage Commission, Texas
0.7%116
Animal Health Commission, Texas (TAHC)
0.3%58
Attorney General, Office of the (OAG)
4.7%832
Assistive and Rehabilitative Services Department (DARS)
1.0%173
Comptroller of Public Accounts, Texas (CPA)
0.0%2
Courts Administration, Office of (COURTS)
0.2%28
Criminal Justice, Texas Department of (TDCJ)
5.7%1006
Cultural and Art Network, Texas (ARTS)
0.0%3
Deaf, Texas School for the (TSD)
0.4%70
Education Agency, Texas (TEA)
0.2%32
Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS)
0.5%85
Environmental Quality, Texas Commission on (TCEQ)
4.1%730
Ethics Commission, Texas (TEC)
0.0%5
Facilities Commission, Texas (TFC)
0.2%29
Family and Protective Services, Texas Department of (DFPS)
12.1%2140
General Land Office, Texas (GLO)
0.5%91
Governor, Office of the (GOV)
0.2%34
Health and Human Services Commission, Texas (HHSC)
16.9%2985
Higher Education Coordinating Board, Texas (THECB)
0.3%49
Historical Commission, Texas (THC)
0.1%26
House of Representatives, Texas (HOUSE)
0.0%1
Housing and Community Affairs, Texas Department of
0.3%60
Information Resources, Texas Department of (DIR)
0.1%13
Insurance, Texas Department of (TDI)
2.3%402
Juvenile Probation Commission, Texas (TJPC)
0.1%13
Law Enforcement, Texas Commission on
0.3%50
Legislative Budget Board (LBB)
0.2%33
Legislative Council, Texas (TLC)
0.5%82
Legislative Reference Library of Texas (LRL)
0.0%8
Library and Archives Commission, Texas State (TSI) 0.0%0
Licensing and Regulation, Texas Department of (TDLR)
0.0%4
Lottery Commission, Texas (Lottery)
0.4%66
Medical Board, Texas (TMB)
0.2%43
Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas (TPWD)
2.6%452
Pension Review Board, Texas (PRB) 0.0%0
Plumbing Examiners, Texas Board of (TSBPE)
0.0%1
Preservation Board, Texas State (TSPB)
0.1%22
Professional Engineers, Texas Board of (TBPE)
0.0%7
Public Finance Authority, Texas (TPFA) 0.0%0
Public Safety, Texas Department of (TXDPS)
7.3%1297
Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC)
0.2%37
Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC)
0.6%110
Real Estate Commission, Texas (TREC)
0.1%15
Residential Construction Commission, Texas (TRCC)
0.0%4
Risk Management, State Office of (SORM)
0.1%26
Secretary of State, Texas (SOS)
0.3%50
Securities Board, State (TSSB)
0.1%17
Senate of Texas (SENATE)
0.0%2
State Auditor’s Office (SAO)
0.3%45
State Health Services, Texas Department of (DSHS)
6.9%1212
Sunset Advisory Commission
0.0%7
Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
0.4%79
Transportation, Texas Department of (TXDOT)
15.3%2708
Water Development Board, Texas (TWDB)
0.0%2
Workforce Commission, Texas (TWC)
4.6%820
Youth Commission, Texas (TYC)
1.6%283
 answered question17648
 
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10. Is your position supervisory?
 Response
Percent		Response
Count
Yes
23.2%4138
No
76.9%13735
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11. When you started working for the state, regardless of your specific agency or position, did you think of it as:
 Response
Percent		Response
Count
A potential career
69.5%12399
Just a job
17.6%3135
Step before your next job
13.0%2320
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12. Why did you accept employment in state service? (Check all that apply)
 Response
Percent		Response
Count
40-hour work week
54.5%9655
Better than average health insurance
54.6%9682
Better than average retirement pension
46.3%8200
Desire to serve the public
38.8%6879
Flexible work schedule
20.3%3589
Job security
58.0%10283
Job was the right fit
37.7%6675
Paid time off
32.6%5780
Salary
23.7%4198
Tele-commuting ability
2.5%450
Tuition reimbursement/training opportunities
6.1%1086
Other
11.5%2043
 (please specify)2237
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13. Generally, how would you rate various characteristics of your current job/career with the state?
 Very satisfiedSomewhat satisfiedNeutralSomewhat unsatisfiedVery unsatisfiedN/ARating
Average		Response
Count
40-hour work week60.7% (10584)20.6% (3588)9.9% (1731)4.3% (751)3.1% (539)1.5% (256)1.6717449
Access to current technology26.1% (4535)38.7% (6737)16.0% (2782)12.3% (2139)6.6% (1147)0.3% (55)2.3417395
Casual dress code47.5% (8272)25.9% (4507)16.5% (2881)4.3% (747)2.8% (494)3.0% (530)1.8617431
Challenging work39.1% (6797)34.3% (5950)16.0% (2777)6.6% (1150)3.8% (658)0.2% (30)2.0117362
Desire to make a difference37.6% (6535)32.6% (5661)17.7% (3078)6.8% (1179)4.7% (814)0.7% (119)2.0817386
Flexible work schedule37.7% (6545)26.6% (4621)16.4% (2855)8.0% (1385)7.4% (1278)3.9% (678)2.1717362
Fun working environment19.8% (3441)28.5% (4950)23.9% (4157)13.5% (2339)13.2% (2294)1.1% (188)2.7117369
Health insurance25.7% (4488)38.1% (6645)12.3% (2145)15.6% (2719)7.6% (1331)0.6% (109)2.4117437
Independent work36.1% (6258)35.5% (6154)17.7% (3075)5.7% (983)3.5% (609)1.6% (279)2.0417358
Job security38.7% (6726)34.8% (6052)14.9% (2591)6.6% (1150)4.5% (787)0.5% (91)2.0317397
Opportunity for advancement14.4% (2509)25.1% (4362)20.9% (3638)19.0% (3297)19.3% (3354)1.2% (207)3.0417367
Paid time off50.5% (8772)32.5% (5645)10.6% (1849)3.1% (543)2.4% (419)0.9% (148)1.7317376
Recognition – non-monetary11.2% (1934)21.6% (3738)27.7% (4799)18.0% (3121)19.6% (3389)1.8% (314)3.1417295
Retirement pension26.0% (4517)41.3% (7176)20.4% (3547)7.7% (1334)3.2% (558)1.4% (244)2.2017376
Salary10.7% (1850)28.7% (4976)15.1% (2622)24.6% (4266)20.2% (3500)0.8% (143)3.1517357
Supportive work environment19.1% (3317)31.3% (5430)19.1% (3301)15.7% (2718)14.1% (2444)0.7% (116)2.7417326
Team work21.0% (3649)33.7% (5861)19.3% (3349)13.9% (2415)11.4% (1977)0.7% (129)2.6117380
Tele-commuting7.9% (1357)14.1% (2423)34.1% (5851)9.4% (1611)13.9% (2389)20.6% (3529)3.0917160
Training opportunities/professional development15.7% (2716)31.2% (5419)23.5% (4086)15.4% (2678)12.6% (2183)1.6% (272)2.7817354
Working relationship with supervisor41.3% (7197)28.5% (4957)13.5% (2350)7.7% (1334)8.4% (1465)0.6% (104)2.1317407
The clientele/public I interact with or serve28.8% (5002)37.3% (6483)23.8% (4130)4.3% (754)2.7% (472)3.0% (527)2.1217368
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14. Regarding your employment with the state, how would you characterize your plans during the next 12 months?
 Response
Percent		Response
Count
I plan to stay in the position
50.9%8903
I plan to apply for a promotion within the agency
16.5%2891
I plan to apply for another position outside this agency, but stay with state government
8.2%1442
I plan to leave state government, but continuing working
5.9%1036
I plan to retire
4.2%734
Not sure
14.3%2507
 answered question17506
 
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15. How familiar are you with any of these state employees advocacy organizations? (Please respond for each organization.)
 Currently a memberPreviously a memberHeard of them, but not a memberNever heard of themResponse
Count
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)0.2% (30)0.7% (116)24.3% (4083)74.9% (12590)16819
Texas Public Employees Association (TPEA)15.2% (2601)5.2% (889)68.9% (11827)10.8% (1851)17168
Texas State Employees Union (TSEU)7.8% (1332)4.6% (774)57.1% (9705)30.5% (5192)17003
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16. What degree of responsibility do you feel the following person(s) or groups have in ensuring that your employment priorities with the state are being met?
 Greatest responsibilitySomewhat responsibleNeutralSomewhat not responsibleNot at all responsibleN/ARating
Average		Response
Count
Myself61.0% (10437)29.4% (5036)6.4% (1087)1.5% (261)1.3% (219)0.4% (77)1.5217117
Supervisor24.9% (4242)56.5% (9608)11.4% (1933)3.4% (580)3.3% (559)0.5% (90)2.0317012
Agency Executive Management33.7% (5675)40.0% (6744)16.8% (2838)4.1% (691)4.0% (680)1.4% (236)2.0416864
Legislature42.4% (7196)30.9% (5239)16.1% (2736)4.5% (765)4.8% (808)1.2% (208)1.9716952
Retirement Systems (ERS, TRS, etc.)24.8% (4185)39.4% (6642)23.7% (3999)4.5% (761)5.4% (912)2.2% (368)2.2516867
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)5.3% (885)12.0% (1998)43.8% (7318)4.4% (733)12.0% (2002)22.6% (3768)3.0716704
Texas Public Employees Association (TPEA)11.3% (1909)28.5% (4820)34.8% (5884)5.1% (854)9.0% (1521)11.3% (1909)2.6816897
Texas State Employees Union (TSEU)8.5% (1423)19.8% (3324)39.1% (6559)4.8% (802)11.2% (1885)16.5% (2775)2.8916768
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17. How would you characterize each organization's efforts to communicate their overall organizational objectives?
 Very informativeSomewhat informativeNeutralSomewhat uninformativeNot at all informativeDo not knowRating
Average		Response
Count
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)1.3% (221)4.2% (706)19.3% (3268)4.4% (739)14.6% (2474)56.3% (9543)4.9616951
Texas Public Employees Association (TPEA)21.3% (3634)26.3% (4492)15.6% (2666)6.1% (1045)6.1% (1044)24.6% (4192)3.2317073
Texas State Employees Union (TSEU)8.1% (1366)14.5% (2458)19.9% (3369)5.9% (998)11.0% (1863)40.7% (6890)4.1916944
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18. How would you characterize each organization's efforts to achieve their legislative objectives?
 Very effectiveSomewhat effectiveNeutralSomewhat not effectiveNot at all effectiveDo not knowRating
Average		Response
Count
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)1.1% (183)4.9% (814)19.5% (3233)3.3% (542)5.5% (908)65.8% (10934)5.0516614
Texas Public Employees Association (TPEA)11.4% (1912)28.7% (4789)16.1% (2695)5.2% (863)4.5% (750)34.1% (5704)3.6516713
Texas State Employees Union (TSEU)4.9% (814)14.9% (2471)18.7% (3111)4.5% (755)6.0% (990)51.0% (8471)4.4516612
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19. How likely are you to attend any of these types of employee organization sponsored meetings?
 Very LikelyDepends on Agenda/Topic/EventPerhaps, but not likelyNoNot SureResponse
Count
Annual Educational Conference (1 Day Meeting)9.2% (1547)29.5% (4955)21.3% (3578)28.3% (4757)11.8% (1978)16815
Annual Membership and Business Meeting (2 Day Meeting)5.3% (879)19.6% (3266)26.8% (4472)36.3% (6058)12.1% (2020)16695
Employee Social Event (picnic,golf/bowling/softball tournaments, etc., Sat/Sun. event)15.3% (2568)22.7% (3810)25.3% (4253)27.5% (4626)9.2% (1544)16801
Legislative/Political Briefing (Lunch or after work)9.6% (1607)32.0% (5376)22.9% (3858)26.0% (4372)9.6% (1609)16822
Local Organization/Membership Meeting(s) (1 hr. lunch or after work)11.2% (1888)31.1% (5217)23.4% (3924)24.4% (4104)9.9% (1668)16801
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20. What is the single most important reason you would not attend a meeting hosted by a state employee organization?
 Response
Percent		Response
Count
Time away from work
12.3%2065
Time away from family
17.3%2914
Location/travel involved
23.8%3997
Cost
15.1%2539
I can learn about the subject in other ways
21.8%3662
Not important to me
6.7%1121
 answered question16816
 
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21. What is the single most important feature or benefit of a state employee organization (such as AFSCME, TPEA, or TSEU) when you are considering whether to join?
 Response
Percent		Response
Count
Good ancillary benefits ( i.e. discounts, etc.)
4.4%709
Effectiveness on behalf of state employees in the legislative process
57.4%9346
Keeping me informed about issues and developments affecting state employees
15.8%2581
Representation in the grievance process
2.5%411
Effectively representing the viewpoint of state employees in the media
3.4%555
Having an organizational philosophy that agrees with my personal beliefs
5.8%946
Cost of membership
8.2%1335
Other
2.5%412
 (please specify)412
 answered question16291
 
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