In a year defined by historic turmoil—record-breaking shutdowns, frozen paychecks, and unprecedented threats of layoffs—the federal government has decided to stop listening. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has officially cancelled the 2025 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS), the primary tool used to measure the pulse, morale, and concerns of the federal workforce. As reported by FEDweek, this decision leaves a critical data void at the exact moment when employee feedback is most needed.
A Blind Spot During a Crisis The cancellation of the FEVS means there will be no official government record of how the workforce weathered the chaos of 2025.
- Missing Data: The survey typically feeds the “Best Places to Work in the Federal Government” rankings, a key metric for agency accountability. Without it, agencies lose a crucial benchmark for identifying toxic environments or leadership failures.
- Stepping In: To fill this gap, the non-partisan Partnership for Public Service is launching its own “Federal Employee Experience Survey.” Running from November 14 through January 17, this confidential survey aims to capture the data the government chose to ignore, covering critical topics like leadership, pay, and agency mission.
- The Trend Before the Blackout: The decision to cancel follows a disturbing trend. The 2024 FEVS had already revealed deep cracks in the foundation, with the Global Satisfaction Index dropping to 61% and the Job Security and Satisfaction Index hitting a 10-year low. By cancelling the 2025 survey, the administration avoids quantifying just how much further morale has plummeted during the recent shutdown and RIF scares.
When the System Stops Listening, You Must Take Control
The cancellation of the FEVS sends a tacit message: the system is currently too overwhelmed or unwilling to hear your concerns. If the government isn’t asking “How are you doing?”, you cannot wait for them to fix the problems you are facing. The silence from OPM is a signal that you must become the vocal advocate for your own future.
This is where Internal Benefit Advisors steps in to fill the void. While the government may have stopped surveying its employees, we haven’t stopped listening to them. We understand that behind the missing data points are real families facing real financial insecurity.
Here is how we turn your concerns into action:
- We Ask the Hard Questions: Unlike a cancelled survey, we sit down with you to assess your “personal morale”—your financial confidence. We analyze your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), pension estimates, and insurance coverage to give you the honest feedback you need.
- Data-Driven Personal Planning: We don’t need a government-wide survey to tell us that inflation and shutdowns are hurting your wallet. We use that reality to build resilient financial plans that account for stagnant pay, rising FEHB premiums, and economic volatility.
- A Voice for Your Retirement: When agency HR resources are overwhelmed or silent, Internal Benefit Advisors provides the clear, unbiased answers you deserve. We help you navigate the complex rules of FERS/CSRS to ensure your retirement plan is heard, understood, and optimized.
The government may have turned off the microphone, but your financial future still needs to be heard.
Make your voice count where it matters most—in your own financial plan. Contact Internal Benefit Advisors today for a consultation that puts your needs first.
References
- FEDweek. “With No Viewpoint Survey This Year, Partnership Conducting a Similar One.”
- Partnership for Public Service. Best Places to Work in the Federal Government. (Referencing 2024 trends).
- U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) Reports.
- Internal Benefit Advisors. Retrieved from https://internalbenefitadvisors.com
