2021 WGRC Web Screen

2021 Department of Defense Civilian Employee Workplace and
Gender Relations Survey
Agency Disclosure Notice (ADN)
The public reporting burden for this collection of information, 0704-XXXX, is estimated to
average 30 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing the instructions, searching
existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing
the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or burden reduction
suggestions to the Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services, at [email protected] (OMB Control Number: [LICENSE
NUMBER]). Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no
person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it
does not display a currently valid OMB control number.

Privacy Advisory
Your name and contact information have been used only for the distribution of this survey. Your
responses to the demographic questions will allow the Department of Defense (DoD) to better
analyze all responses among varying demographic groups. Responding to this survey is voluntary
and you may decline or skip over any questions you do not wish to answer. The survey is
confidential. The Office of People Analytics (OPA) has also received a federal “Certificate of
Confidentiality” that provides OPA with additional protection against any attempt to subpoena
confidential survey records. Most people can complete the survey in 30 minutes. There is no
penalty to you if you choose not to respond. However, maximum participation is encouraged so
the data will be complete and representative.

Informed Consent
10 USC Sections 136, 2358, 481a and Section 1073 of the National Defense Authorization Act
(NDAA) of Fiscal Year (FY) 2015, authorize the Department of Defense to conduct this
survey. Information collected in this survey will be used to research a variety of topics, including
unwanted gender-related behaviors, workplace climate, training, and policy effectiveness. Reports
will be provided to the Department of Defense (DoD), Congress, each DoD Agency and Military
Department, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Some findings may be published by OPA, in professional journals, or presented at scientific
conferences. Your responses could also be used in future research. Results from these surveys will
be posted on the web: https://www.opa.mil
Identifying information will be used only by government and contractor staff engaged in, and for
purposes of, survey research. In no case will individual identifiable survey responses be
reported. In addition, OPA has received a federal “Certificate of Confidentiality” that provides

additional protection against any attempt to subpoena confidential survey records.
The data collection procedures are not expected to involve any risk or discomfort to you. Survey
data may be shared with DoD researchers or organizations outside the DoD who are conducting
research on DoD personnel. In many cases, these researchers will be provided with a dataset
containing limited demographic information (for example, Component, gender, pay grade
groupings). OPA performs a disclosure avoidance analysis to reduce the risk of there being a
combination of demographic variables which can single out an individual. In some instances and
only with sponsor permission, OPA may make available datasets with additional demographic
variables to a small number of approved researchers. There is some risk individuals might be
identified on these datasets; however, OPA implements several procedures to protect the data. The
datasets will only be available in a secure environment where they cannot be downloaded or
transferred. Statistical analyses can only be performed after review and approval to ensure
identifying information is not released. Access to these datasets will only be allowed on a need-toknow basis with an approved data sharing agreement in place. Researchers approved for access to
these datasets must adhere to strict procedures, including - but not limited to - data sharing
agreements, secure transfers of data, destruction of files upon completion of research, and
authorization to reuse data. In addition, receipt and use of these datasets must adhere to all DoD
information assurance, security, and other data use policies.
If you answer any items in such a way that you indicate distress or being upset, etc., you will not
be contacted for follow-up purposes. However, if you indicate a direct threat to harm yourself or
others within responses or communications about the survey, because of concern for your welfare,
OPA may notify an office in your area for appropriate action.


If you believe you have experienced sexual harassment, or are a person who wishes to
prevent or respond to it, you may want to contact your organization's Equal Employment
Opportunity representative. If you are unsure how to contact your organization’s EEO
representative, please click here for a list of EEO contact information by organization. You
will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open this file. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat
Reader, you can download it for free by clicking here.



If you believe you have experienced sexual assault, you may want to contact available
support services listed below.
o To reach professionals trained to provide support to sexual assault survivors, you
may call the free 24/7 hotline numbers or visit the websites for these resources:
 DoD Safe Helpline: 1-877-995-5247 toll free within the United States, or
download the Safe Helpline mobile application to use Voice over IP (VoIP)
technology from anywhere in the world, or on the web at
https://www.safehelpline.org
 RAINN National Sexual Assault Helpline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or on the
web at https://www.rainn.org/get-help/national-sexual-assault-hotline



If you experienced distress while taking this survey, you may want to contact these
additional support services listed below.
o To reach professionals trained to provide mental health referral and crisis
intervention services, you may call the free 24/7 hotline numbers or visit the websites
for these resources:
 SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or on the web at
http://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or on the web
at https://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
o You may also contact your organization’s Employee Assistance Program for free,
confidential counseling and referral services.

If you experience any technical difficulties while taking the survey, please contact the Survey Processing
Center by sending an e-mail to [email protected] or calling, 1-800-881-5307. If you have
concerns about your rights as a research participant, please contact the OUSD(P&R) Research
Regulatory Oversight Office at 703-681-6522/703-681-8320 or e-mail [email protected].

Informed consent is indicated by clicking the Continue button and answering the survey
questions. Once you start answering the survey, if you desire to withdraw your answers, please
notify the Survey Processing Center prior to December 15, 2021. Please include in the e-mail or
phone message your name, Ticket Number, and the PIN that you selected when you started this
survey. Unless withdrawn, partially completed survey data may be used after that date.
Please print this page for your records.
Click Continue if you agree to take the survey.

2021 Department of Defense Civilian Employee Workplace and
Gender Relations Survey
Welcome Screen in Mobile-friendly (contracted links)
Welcome
You have been selected to take a survey about your workplace and gender-related experiences over the past
year as a Department of Defense civilian employee. When you click the Continue button below, you will be
asked to:




Create a Personal Identification Number (PIN)
Read the Privacy Advisory Statement
Take the survey

Thank you for your time and participation.
Read the FAQ for additional information.
[LICENSE NUMBER] Exp. [LICENSE DATE]
Security Protection Advisory
Section 508 Compliance

Welcome Screen in Mobile-friendly (expended links)

Welcome
You have been selected to take a survey about your workplace and gender-related experiences over the past
year as a Department of Defense civilian employee. When you click the Continue button below, you will be
asked to:




Create a Personal Identification Number (PIN)
Read the Privacy Advisory Statement
Take the survey

Thank you for your time and participation.
Read the FAQ for additional information.
How do I know this is an official, approved DoD survey?


All multi-component data collections in the Department must be licensed and show that license as a Report
Control Symbol (RCS) or an Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number and expiration date.
The license for this survey is [LICENSE NUMBER], expiring [LICENSE DATE].

Security Protection Advisory

WEBSITE PRIVACY: Neither the Department of Defense (DoD) nor Data Recognition Corporation will collect personal
information about you when you visit this website unless you choose to provide it yourself. If you provide personal
information, it will be treated as private.
In addition, our system does not enable "cookies," which are files placed on your computer's hard drive in order to
monitor your use of the site or the web. For more information about your privacy rights, please read the Privacy
Advisory at the beginning of the survey.
This website collects information from your visit to assist the DoD and our survey contractor improve the website
and the performance of our web-based surveys. This non-personal information helps us make the site more useful
by recognizing the types of technology being used. The data collected are listed below:
1. The Internet Protocol (IP) address for the computer and the server being used on the Internet (for example,
www.verizon.com, www.comcast.com, 122.3.55.34). Depending on your Internet service provider, IP
addresses may identify your computer; in other cases, they identify no more than your Internet service
provider (such as Verizon or Comcast).
2. The device used to access the survey (e.g., PC, tablet, or mobile phone).
3. The type and version of the browser and operating system used to access our site.
4. The date and time this site was accessed.
5. Number of bytes sent and received.
6. The pages visited.
This information is stored permanently for troubleshooting technical problems and for future capacity planning. DoD
and its survey contractor use this information to improve the performance of the OPA survey website. None of this
information will be revealed publicly or used to identify you or your responses.

Section 508 Compliance
The U.S. Department of Defense is committed to making electronic and information technologies accessible to
individuals with disabilities in accordance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. §794d), as amended
in 1999
Send feedback or concerns related to the accessibility of this website to: [email protected]
For more information about Section 508, please visit the DoD Section 508 website
Last Updated: 03/31/2021

2021 Department of Defense Civilian Employee Workplace and
Gender Relations Survey
How to Contact Us?
If you have questions or concerns about this survey, you have three ways to contact the Survey
Operations Center:
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


Call: 1-800-881-5307
E-mail: [email protected]
Fax: 1-763-268-3002

Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Office of People Analytics (OPA)?
What is the Center for Health and Resilience Research?
How do I know this is an official, approved DoD survey?
Has there ever been a survey like this for the DoD civilian workforce?
How did you pick me?
Why should I participate?
Do I have to answer all questions?
Why does the survey ask for demographic information?
Why does the survey ask personal questions? Some of the language in the survey is very graphic.
Why is it important for every DoD civilian employee included in the sample to log in and
participate in the survey?
Do I have to participate in the survey since it is Congressionally-mandated?
What does the Department hope to learn from the survey?
Can you compare the number of sexual assaults reported in the DoD civilian workforce to the
number reported by military members? Is the percentage higher or lower?
Does the survey ask about experiences outside of DoD civilian job duties?
Will my answers be kept private?
Why do you use my contact information to invite me to participate in this survey? Isn’t this survey
supposed to be anonymous?
What is a "Certificate of Confidentiality?"
When do you expect the results of the survey to be available?
Can I withdraw my answers once I have started the survey?
What is the Office of People Analytics (OPA)? Top


The Office of People Analytics (OPA) contains several research divisions that conduct JointService surveys including the Status of Forces Surveys, QuickCompass Surveys, Workplace
and Gender Relations Surveys, and Workplace and Equal Opportunity Surveys for the

DoD. OPA was formerly a part of Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) but
transitioned to its own organization in October 2016.
What is the Center for Health and Resilience Research? Top
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

The Center for Health and Resilience Research is a DoD personnel research program that
includes paper and web-based surveys sponsored by the Under Secretary of Defense for
Personnel and Readiness (USD[P&R]).
These surveys enable DoD to regularly assess the attitudes and opinions of the DoD
community, including active duty and Reserve component military members as well as DoD
civilian employees, on the full range of health and well-being issues.

How do I know this is an official, approved DoD survey? Top
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The 2021 WGRC is an official DoD survey sponsored by the DoD Office for Diversity,
Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI).
The survey has gone through approvals at all levels of DoD leadership, including Service
leadership coordination, and has been reviewed and approved by the DoD Privacy office and
DoD Human Research Protections Program. The survey is also licensed by the Washington
Headquarters Service (WHS).
All multi-component data collection in the Department must be licensed and show that
license as a Report Control Symbol (RCS) or an Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
control number and expiration date. The license for this survey is [LICENSE NUMBER],
expiring [LICENSE DATE].

Has there ever been a survey like this for the DoD civilian workforce? Top


Yes. The first survey of this nature was administered to civilian employees in 2016 per
Congressional requirement. Prior to this initial administration, only military populations
have received Workplace and Gender Relations (WGR) surveys from the Department. In
2015, Congress extended the WGR survey requirement to DoD civilian employees to
understand the gender relations climate for all DoD employees. This ensures the Department
is designing policies that benefit both military and civilian employees in combatting sexual
harassment, gender discrimination, and sexual assault.

How did you pick me? Top


OPA uses industry-standard scientific procedures to select a stratified random sample of
civilian employees who are over the age of 18, U.S. citizens, in a pay status, and not political
appointees. This ensures results received are representative of the DoD civilian employee
population.

Why should I participate? Top
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Your responses on this survey make a difference.
This is the third survey of its kind to be administered to DoD civilian employees. Your
participation is crucial to assess trends over time.
This is your chance to be heard on issues that directly affect you, including policies and
practices regarding general workplace respect issues as well as sexual harassment, and other
gender-related issues.
As policies and resources may be informed by the results of this survey, it is important to
hear from all DoD civilian employees, regardless of their experiences, in order to understand
the experiences of the DoD civilian workforce.

Do I have to answer all questions? Top
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This survey is voluntary, and therefore, it is not necessary to answer every question. We ask
that you answer as many as you feel comfortable answering.

Why does the survey ask for demographic information? Top
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

OPA reports overall results, as well as by other characteristics, such as gender, agency, pay
plan or group, minority status, etc. To complete these analyses, we must also ask for
demographic information from respondents. Analyzing results in this way provides DoD
leaders information about the attitudes and concerns of all subgroups of personnel so that no
groups are overlooked.
Your answers to any demographic items are strictly used for this purpose and will not be
used to identify individual respondents. As with all questions on this survey, your responses
are confidential. This survey has also received a federal “Certificate of Confidentiality” that
provides OPA with additional protection against any attempt to subpoena confidential survey
records.

Why does the survey ask personal questions? Some of the language in the survey is very
graphic. Top


The survey and the metrics used are both per Congressional guidance. The metric we use for
sexual assault was constructed in 2014 by RAND Corp, using a scientific panel, after
Congress required the Department to construct a crime victimization metric. Per industry
standards, a crime victimization metric is necessarily more graphic in order to align the
behaviors and actions with law and the elements of proof. This is similar to how the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) measures sexual assault in the civilian
population. The new measure was approved by DoD leadership for use in the 2014 survey
on the active duty and Reserve component population and continues to be the metric used to
measure prevalence in the military force. In 2016, the Department was tasked with using the



same metric to estimate sexual assault in the DoD civilian population. To analyze trends
overtime, the 2021 WGRC will use the same metrics.
Sometimes sensitive questions are asked in order to improve personnel policies, programs,
and practices. As with all questions on the survey, your responses are confidential. This
survey has also received a federal “Certificate of Confidentiality” that provides OPA with
additional protection against any attempt to subpoena confidential survey records.

Why is it important for every DoD civilian employee included in the sample to log in and
participate in the survey? Top


It is very important that we hear from as many DoD civilian employees as possible who were
selected to participate in the survey. Results from the 2021 WGRC will provide information
on DoD civilian employees’ experiences of unwanted gender-related behaviors such as
sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and sexual assault. It is important to hear from all
employees who are part of the sample, whether or not they experienced unwanted genderrelated behaviors, in order to understand the experiences of the full workforce. Results may
inform prevention and response efforts to enable the Department to reduce and hopefully
eliminate these types of offenses across the DoD civilian workforce.

Do I have to participate in the survey since it is Congressionally-mandated? Top




No. The Department is required to conduct this survey, but your participation is completely
voluntary. You may choose not to participate and can opt out of the survey at any
time. You may also skip over any questions you do not wish to answer.
If you do not wish to participate or receive additional reminders about this survey, you may
opt out by e-mailing OPA’s Survey Processing Center at [email protected] or
calling toll-free at 1-800-881-5307. You must provide your ticket number to do so.

What does the Department hope to learn from the survey? Top


The results from this survey will allow the Department to continue to assess the prevalence
of unwanted gender-related behaviors in the DoD civilian workforce similar to rates derived
for the military population. This may inform future prevention and response efforts. In
addition, results will also allow the Department to more fully understand the workplace
experiences of DoD civilian employees.

Can you compare the number of sexual assaults reported in the DoD civilian workforce to the
number reported by military members? Is the percentage higher or lower? Top


OPA uses industry-standard scientific weighting and estimation methods so that, given the
metrics for assessing these experiences are consistent between populations, the Department
is able to compare estimated rates among the DoD civilian employees, Reserve, National
Guard, and active duty military populations within statistical limitations (e.g., margins of

error and known variance among populations). It is critical for the Department to conduct
Workplace and Gender Relations surveys with DoD civilian employees as well to develop an
understanding of their experiences in order to ensure those who do experience these
behaviors have access to resources and assistance as necessary, which may differ from the
needs of military members.
Does the survey ask about experiences outside of DoD civilian job duties? Top


The survey addresses DoD civilian experiences of gender-related behaviors in and outside of
the DoD civilian workplace in order to understand the full scope of the issues and how the
Department can best support all DoD civilian employees.

Will my answers be kept private? Top
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All data will be reported in the aggregate and no individual data will be reported. We
encourage you to safeguard your Ticket Number to prevent unauthorized access to your
survey. In addition, to ensure your privacy, please be aware of the environment in which
you take the survey (e.g., take the survey when no one else can see your computer screen,
take care to not leave the survey site on your computer screen unattended).
Survey responses received are confidential. OPA has received a federal "Certificate of
Confidentiality" that provides additional protection against any attempt to subpoena
confidential survey records.
However, if you indicate a direct threat to harm yourself or others within responses or
communications about the survey, because of concern for your welfare, OPA may notify an
office in your area for appropriate action.

Why do you use my contact information to invite me to participate in this survey? Isn’t this
survey supposed to be anonymous? Top
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

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This survey is “confidential,” not “anonymous.” In confidential surveys conducted by OPA,
the identifying information of respondents is only used by government and contractor staff
engaged in, and for purposes of, survey research (e.g., selecting, contacting, and tracking the
participation of respondents).
Individual survey responses received by OPA are kept in separate files from the personally
identifiable information of respondents used to solicit survey participation and OPA only
tracks survey responses back to individual respondents if a respondent indicates potential
harm to self or others in survey responses or communications about the survey. Otherwise,
survey responses are not tracked back to individual participants by OPA and survey results
are reported in the aggregate so that no individual respondents can be identified.
OPA's use of the word “confidential” is similar to its routine use in privacy statements within
the health professions to denote that the information collected can potentially identify the
individual respondent, but this information will not be shared with others unless compelled
by law or written consent.

What is a “Certificate of Confidentiality?” Top
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

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A “Certificate of Confidentiality” is an additional privacy assurance provided by the
Department of Health and Human Services that the identifiable information and responses of
a research project’s respondents will be protected from compelled disclosure in
administrative, legislative, or other investigative proceedings (e.g., protection from a
subpoena).
Section 301(d) of the Public Health Service Act (42 USC 214(d)) authorizes the Secretary of
Health and Human Services to provide these Certificates to qualifying biomedical and
behavioral research of a sensitive nature.
While the Certificate protects against involuntary or forced disclosures of information (e.g.,
a subpoena) that could identify survey respondents, it does not limit voluntary disclosure of
this information in matters such as child abuse or a respondent’s threatened violence to self
or others.

When do you expect the results of the survey to be available? Top
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OPA posts survey results on the following website: https://www.opa.mil

Can I withdraw my answers once I have started the survey? Top
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

If you wish to withdraw your answers, please notify the Survey Processing Center by
sending an e-mail to [email protected] or calling, 1-800-881-5307 prior to
December 15, 2021. Please include in the e-mail or phone message your name and Ticket
Number.
Unless withdrawn, partially completed survey data may be used after that date.