I like FDA.

That list seemed pretty fair. I work for one of the agencies that is exempt from a lot of the HR BS that many government agencies have to use (jobs not posted on USAJobs, don't have to fill out generic applications, have no idea what an SF-50 (?) is, etc. We're treated like grow ups. I haven't filled out "pre-approved leave slips" after my first two months on the job when my boss looked at me funny when I asked for a slip.

As with any place, there are some jerks and some stupidity, but most people don't leave.

Anonymous wrote:I love IRS. I have a great work-life balance.

Do they have any PT positions?

I love IRS. I have a great work-life balance.

I work for State and have no plans to leave - I've really enjoyed it and based on the website PP provided, I guess others do too.

I think the SEC is pretty nice. Above market comp and benefits for govt work, good work life balance (maybe 45-50 hours per week on average) and nice people. It's a huge agency and apparently a lot of people aren't happy given the satisfaction ratings. That said, whenever I read the issues described on our union website I shake my head.

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure that the overall rating of an agency is all that helpful (unless maybe if it's a really bad ranking)--so much of it depends on your individual management chain. For example, I love my office at EPA, but I know people in other parts of the agency who are miserable, with very unsupportive managers.

I will say, I don't know any women who work as DOD civilian employees who like it.

+1

My agency is diverse. There are sections that seem great and sections that I would avoid. Also depends on your line of work. Some jobs are exciting and some are very boring. Accounting work can't vary too much, whether you are in government or at Google. Either way, you're working at a desk dealing with numbers.

GAO is generally very family friendly, open to part time and flexible arrangements, and is promoting the use of telework more and more. Many of its people are smart and nice, too. It's pretty great in a lot of ways.

I find the surveys fairly unhelpful because they don't tell you anything substantive, like whether the culture is super old school or whether it is a good place for working families.

I got curious and looked it up. Here's the ratings I found.

http://bestplacestowork.org/BPTW/rankings/overall/

I'm not sure that the overall rating of an agency is all that helpful (unless maybe if it's a really bad ranking)--so much of it depends on your individual management chain. For example, I love my office at EPA, but I know people in other parts of the agency who are miserable, with very unsupportive managers.

I will say, I don't know any women who work as DOD civilian employees who like it.

I work at a bottom agency and I believe every word of the rankings! Our managers are horrible, the good people keep leaving and only the bad stay on.

Anonymous wrote:There's an annual rating based on employee responses. I'll see if I can find and post back with a link. But I would read that carefully since there are a few agencies that miraculously went from near the bottom to top and employees are still miserable.

Yep, I know about that one. I worked at a middle ranked agency that sucked. Trying to be more careful with my next move.

There's an annual rating based on employee responses. I'll see if I can find and post back with a link. But I would read that carefully since there are a few agencies that miraculously went from near the bottom to top and employees are still miserable.

Please provide your opinion. When I say best I mean as far as work/life balance, overall environment, work, etc.