From: To: Cc: Subject: Date: Alec Palmer Steven T. Walther; Matthew Petersen Commissioners Office; Lisa Stevenson; Gilbert A. Ford RE: Meetings with FEC Staff Monday, December 19, 2016 9:45:39 AM Good Morning Steve and Matt   A few follow up thoughts from your email.  As you know from past updates Lisa, Gilbert and I as well as our managers have been working on several initiatives to address concerns raised in the morale study.  For example, we as senior leaders have met on several occasions with our managers to address concerns in the morale study.  Some of our efforts thus far include:   · Conducting 360 reviews · Setting midyear goals for managers to address building trust · Divisional meetings to address concerns raised in the morale study. · Bringing in an SES candidate from State (no charge to FEC) to provide an overview of how we can change our performance plans and improving our entire performance review process. · Conducting “market research” by reaching out to management experts that provide specific training to the government agency’s related to improving performance while improving morale.  One of these experts is Jason Womack (introduced by Ann) that I have been discussing our issues from the morale study and the OPM viewpoint survey. · Communication Portal, we have received very positive feedback on using this vehicle to keep staff informed about the move.  Our goal is have this continue to grow to facilitate better communication across the agency, especially related to IT and other projects that cross organizational lines. I would like to especially recognize Pat Orrock for her outstanding leadership within the Compliance Division which accounts for almost one third of the agency.  As one attended the Dec. 15 Holiday Party in Compliance is was very apparent the overwhelming joy and happiness of the staff within compliance as they gathered together to celebrate at this special time of year.    As the Commission gains valid insight through the efforts listed above and others we can put together a “morale improvement” plan for a consolidated effort across the agency. This will help ensure our individual efforts are synchronized to address common concerns while targeting improvements to address any unique issues.     Alec Palmer Staff Director and CIO Federal Election Commissiom 999 E Street N.W. Washington, DC 20463 202 694-1007           From: Steven T. Walther Sent: Friday, December 16, 2016 2:17 PM To: FEC Staff Subject: Meetings with FEC Staff       Dear Colleagues,   Chairman Petersen and I write to address the disclosure of employees’ responses to the survey that the Inspector General conducted as part of the morale study.  We want to assure all staff of our understanding that the survey responses were redacted by the Inspector General and did not include any employee names, positions, titles, or similar identifying information.  Additionally, we have taken steps to ensure, and have received assurances, that all copies of the redacted comments have been deleted, destroyed, or returned to the Inspector General.  We recognize, however, that notwithstanding these measures, the dissemination of the survey responses to FEC management may have resulted in a further erosion of employee morale.  Accordingly, beginning in the new year, Chairman Petersen (who will no longer be serving in that capacity) and I would like to meet personally with all employees, starting with non-managerial employees, to discuss the incident as well as staff morale more broadly.  We hope to engage in candid conversations and encourage participants to ask questions or offer comments or suggestions.   Please also feel free to submit any questions, comments, or suggestions to either one of us, or both of us, in writing at any time, whether by email, anonymous letter, or any other means, on any matter that relates to staff morale.   To further promote a free and frank exchange of information, no managers, other Commissioners, or any Commissioner’s staff will attend any of these meetings.  These meetings are strictly voluntary, and no attendance will be taken.  Neither of us will take any notes that identify participants.  We understand that a union representative may also attend these meetings, and we of course would welcome the union’s participation.   Below are the dates, times, and locations of these meetings, all of which are scheduled during the second week of January 9.  If, for any reason, you cannot attend the meeting at the time designated for your floor, please feel free to attend one of the other meetings.  We look forward to seeing you.   Sincerely,   Matt and Steve   Floors Date Time Location         1&2 Tues. Jan. 10 10:30 am Room #204 (2nd floor conf.) 4&6 Tues. Jan. 10 2:00 pm Room #417 (4th floor conf.)   5&7 Wed. Jan. 11 10:30 am 8&9 Wed. Jan. 11 2:00 pm Room #504 (5th floor conf.) Room #504 (5th floor conf.)