Federal workers survey asks their sexual orientation

Among the things managers will learn about the federal workforce when this year’s survey of how happy employees are at their jobs is completed in June is how many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendersemployees work in the government.

This census of sexual orientation appears in the Federal Employee Viewpoint Surveyfor the first time this year, along with other new questions inviting federal workers to say whether they are disabled or have ever served on active military duty.

The answers to these and other questions will help the government get its most accurate picture to date of federal workers’ attitudes: The 2012 survey includes all permanent full- and part-time employees, about 1.8 million workers, compared with 266,000 in last year’s sample.

The government already collects demographic data on veterans and disabled employees, and the Obama administration is making a big push to increase hiring of both groups.

But the organized network of federal LGBT advocacy groups pressed for inclusion in the survey, and Personnel Chief John Berry, the Obama administration’s highest-ranking openly gay official, said the agency wants to “learn as much as we can from our employees so we can better serve them.”

The questions asks federal workers whether they consider themselves lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.  Read More