U.S. Africa Command service members and federal civilians have an opportunity to express their opinions about work-related issues to leadership during the online Command Climate Survey, which will run from May 19 to June 3, 2011.

The survey serves to assess the concerns and perceptions of U.S. AFRICOM staff on a wide range of issues, including workplace climate, equal opportunity, overall job satisfaction, adequate resources and performance recognition, among others. This information, in turn, provides leaders with an opportunity to address and correct problems that are impacting the command's effectiveness.

Consisting of questions from the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute (DEOMI), along with ones developed locally, the survey is coordinated by the U.S. AFRICOM Equal Employment Opportunity manager, Yasmin Rosa, with assistance from the Inspector General office.

"This is your opportunity to voice your opinion and make a difference," said Rosa. "Survey results are briefed to senior leadership and directly impact their decisions on issues that affect the command."

The results of the last survey conducted in the September 2009 revealed that staff members saw communication as a significant issue. As a result, the command responded in part by creating greater access to leadership meetings; an equal opportunity program was developed; and focus groups were conducted at the command by DEOMI members in March 2010.

Rosa advised that the survey, which takes about 20 minutes to complete, is voluntary, and all responses are anonymous. However, she said that greater participation will produce more meaningful survey results.

Rather than receiving e-mail invitations to participate in the survey, a person wishing to take part will be able to obtain a unique passcode made available by his or her directorate or special staff representative (to be identified later).

Providing a means to obtain a hard-copy survey passcode is a DEOMI policy that is designed to protect the anonymity of participants. The survey will be available for approximately two weeks, and the results are expected to be briefed at a future all-hands call.

For more information about the survey, contact the EEO office at 421-4587, the Inspector General office at 421-2976, or visit the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute's site at www.deomi.org/DiversityMgmt/DDMCS.cfm.