FOR RELEASE
Contact: Janie Sheng (202) 245-0221
12/18/2013 (Wednesday)
Jamie Rennart
No. 13-18


FedRelay 1 (800) 877-8339
www.stb.gov
FOR 5th YEAR, SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD RANKED BEST SMALL AGENCY IN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT




For the fifth consecutive year, the Surface Transportation Board was ranked No. 1 among small federal agencies by the Partnership for Public Service in its 2013 Best Places to Work in the Federal Government rankings released today. The Board’s continued recognition for this distinction is noteworthy in light of the Partnership’s overall findings of declining federal employee satisfaction numbers.

Commenting on STB’s formula for success, Chairman Daniel R. Elliott III said,

“It’s simple really – we hire good people and let them do their work. This award reflects our continuing effort to provide an open and collegial workplace in which agency staff originate, innovate, and excel, while maintaining that important work-life balance. This distinction also recognizes our managers’ encouragement of a team approach to problem-solving.”

Among all 371 ranked agencies, the STB achieved the top index score of 84.7 percent, besting its 2012 score of 84.3 percent. The Board was ranked No. 1 according to an overall index score measuring the performance of agencies on employee satisfaction and commitment.

The STB, which currently has 138 employees, is charged with the economic regulation of America’s freight railroads, with additional economic responsibilities for other surface transportation modes and passenger rail. While the STB’s decisions are independent, the agency is administratively associated with the U.S. Department of Transportation. The STB’s workplace policies foster a work-life balance, through telecommuting and flexible work schedules, and facilitate an open-door management environment that encourages creativity. This workplace environment helps retain skilled workers and recruit top-tier job candidates.

The 2013 survey was conducted by the Partnership for Public Service and Deloitte. Agencies were ranked using 10 workplace categories, including effective leadership, strategic management, employee skills/mission match, pay, and teamwork.

The Partnership’s findings can be viewed at http://bestplacestowork.org/BPTW/index.php.
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