Last fall, we asked Federal employees across the nation and around the world to tell us how well agencies manage their most important resource - their human capital. They responded in record numbers. Nearly 150,000 people expressed their views on how leaders perform in their agencies, how performance is managed and recognized, and how the work is accomplished through recruiting and training talent.

The first administration of this survey in 2002 established the baseline for ongoing assessments of strategic human capital management in the Federal Government. The 2004 survey provides a snapshot of Federal employee perceptions so we can compare results over time - governmentwide and at the agency level - to determine where we are making progress and where more work remains to be done.

The 2004 survey indicates Federal employees continue to be motivated by their mission of "Working for America." They also believe the Federal Government provides good benefits and compensation. However, there is a strong perception that excellent performance is not properly recognized and that action is not taken against poor performers. Further, Federal agencies have substantial work to do to increase employees' confidence in the leadership they receive.

These results provide Federal leaders with the information and guidance necessary to act on the results and build a strong framework to support the President's human capital initiative and his Management Agenda.