OPM Ends the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey: What the Final Rule Changes

OPM has officially ended the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS), the survey federal employees have filled out for more than twenty years. The final rule was published this week, and it changes who runs the survey and what it asks. Here is what the rule does and what it means for you.

What the Final Rule Does

Under the final rule, every agency runs its own survey by the end of the year. OPM no longer runs a governmentwide survey. Agencies must use OPM’s ten required questions, which means the questions that used to be required about your workload, your job satisfaction, and whether you would recommend your agency are gone.

The Two Questions That Were Added Back

OPM added two questions to the required set, and both are about poor performers in your unit. The required questions no longer ask whether you are satisfied with your job. They do ask about whether someone in your unit is not performing.

Paid Help for a Survey OPM Stopped Running

OPM will also now offer paid help to agencies that run the survey, which is the survey OPM just stopped running. The price was not shared when OPM was asked about it.

What Federal Employees Should Do

• Ask your agency whether it plans to run its own survey and when.
• If you are surveyed, read each question carefully, since the required questions have changed.
• If you have workload, morale, or management concerns, do not rely on a survey alone. Raise them through channels that leave a record, such as your supervisor, your union, or an agency program that accepts written feedback.

This is commentary on a public rule, not legal advice. The source for this post is Drew Friedman’s October 29, 2026 Federal News Network article, “OPM formally discontinues Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey.” The final rule was published in the Federal Register the same day (FR Doc. 2026-22093).

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Legal Disclaimer: This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Federal employment situations are fact-specific and time-sensitive. Please consult a qualified federal employment attorney about your specific situation. You can contact Southworth PC at attorneysforfederalemployees.com.