Question 1

Do workers at the Smithsonian Institution get paid breaks?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Most people get paid breaks.
67% of people say they get paid breaks.
Based on data from 9 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and June 2026.

Question 2

Does the Smithsonian Institution pay people when they’re sick?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Most people get paid when they’re sick.
78% of people say they would get paid if they were sick but scheduled to work.
Based on data from 23 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2024 and July 2026.

Question 3

At the Smithsonian Institution, are sick days and vacation days separate paid time off?

Accepted Answer

Sick days and vacation days are separate paid time off.
91% of people say they don’t have to use vacation days when they’re out sick.
Based on data from 11 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2025 and July 2026.

Question 4

Is the health insurance from the Smithsonian Institution affordable enough for their workers?

Accepted Answer

Most people say the health insurance costs are okay.
100% of people say the health insurance costs are okay
Based on data from 12 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2025 and July 2026.

Question 5

Do people get paid time off at the Smithsonian Institution?

Accepted Answer

Most people get paid time off work.
87% of people say they get paid time off.
Based on data from 15 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2025 and July 2026.

Question 6

How far ahead of time do people find out their work schedule?

Accepted Answer

Most people find out their schedule less than four weeks ahead of time.

57% of people with changing schedules find out their shifts one week or less ahead of time.
14% of people with changing schedules find out their shifts two weeks ahead of time.
14% of people with changing schedules find out their shifts three weeks ahead of time.
14% of people with changing schedules find out their shifts four weeks or more ahead of time.

Based on data from 7 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and September 2025.

Question 7

Do workers at the Smithsonian Institution worry about hours?

Accepted Answer

Most people don’t worry about getting enough hours.
89% of people report they don’t worry about getting enough hours.
Based on data from 9 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and January 2026.

Question 8

Do the Smithsonian Institution workers get to choose the shifts they work?

Accepted Answer

Most people get to choose which shifts they work.
78% report that they have enough control over which shifts they work.
Based on data from 9 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and September 2025.

Question 9

How easy is it for the Smithsonian Institution workers to change shifts?

Accepted Answer

Most people find it easy to change shifts.
100% of people report that it’s easy to change shifts if they need to.
Based on data from 5 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and June 2025.

Question 10

How easy is it to get time off at the Smithsonian Institution?

Accepted Answer

Most people find it easy to get time off.
90% of people report it’s easy to get time off.
Based on data from 20 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2024 and July 2026.

Question 11

Do the Smithsonian Institution managers change schedules at the last minute?

Accepted Answer

Most managers don’t change people’s schedules at the last minute.
89% of people say their manager doesn’t change their shift schedule at the last minute.
Based on data from 9 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and January 2026.

Question 12

Do jobs at the Smithsonian Institution spill into time workers aren’t paid for?

Accepted Answer

Rarely. The job doesn't usually spill into unpaid time.
22% of people report that their job takes up time that they don’t get paid for.
Based on data from 9 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and January 2026.

Question 13

How easy is it to take sick days at the Smithsonian Institution?

Accepted Answer

Most people find it easy to take sick days.
91% of people report that it’s easy to take time off if they are sick.
Based on data from 23 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2024 and June 2026.

Question 14

Do people at the Smithsonian Institution feel treated with respect by their managers?

Accepted Answer

Most people feel treated with respect by their managers.
85% of people say they’re treated with respect by their managers.
Based on data from 20 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2024 and July 2026.

Question 15

Do people at the Smithsonian Institution get to take their breaks without interruption?

Accepted Answer

Most people get breaks without interruption.
71% of people report that they get to take their breaks without interruption.
Based on data from 21 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2024 and July 2026.

Question 16

Is it stressful to work at the Smithsonian Institution?

Accepted Answer

Some people feel stressed out here.
59% of people say they often feel stressed out at work.
Based on data from 22 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2024 and July 2026.

Question 17

Do people at the Smithsonian Institution enjoy their jobs?

Accepted Answer

Most people enjoy their job.
89% of people report they enjoy their job.
Based on data from 18 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and July 2026.

Question 18

Do people at the Smithsonian Institution recommend working with their team?

Accepted Answer

Only some people recommend working with their team.
36% of people report that they wouldn’t recommend working with their immediate team to a friend.
Based on data from 25 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2024 and July 2026.

Question 19

Do people get enough training when they start at the Smithsonian Institution?

Accepted Answer

Most people got enough training when they started.
68% of people report they got enough training when they started working here.
Based on data from 22 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2024 and July 2026.

Question 20

Do people get support to advance at the Smithsonian Institution?

Accepted Answer

Most people are given support to advance their career here.
In the last year, 67% of people report being given support to advance their career here.
Based on data from 18 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2024 and July 2026.

Question 21

Do people think the Smithsonian Institution’s headquarters understands what’s happening where they work?

Accepted Answer

Most people think headquarters doesn’t understand what’s happening where they work.
69% of people think that this employer’s headquarters or owners don’t have a good understanding of what’s really happening where they work.
Based on data from 16 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2025 and June 2026.

Question 22

Do workers feel well informed about how the Smithsonian Institution is doing?

Accepted Answer

Only some people feel well informed about how the company is doing.
39% of people feel that they aren’t kept well informed about how the company is doing as a whole.
Based on data from 18 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2024 and January 2026.

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What Smithsonian Institution employees say

Get the real story on frontline employers

Pay

Most people get paid breaks

Most people get paid when they’re sick

The job rarely spills into unpaid time

Benefits

Sick days don’t use up paid time off

Most people say they can afford the health insurance

Most people get paid time off

Hours and flexibility

Less than 4 weeks notice of work schedule

Most people don’t worry about their hours

Most people can choose their shifts

Workplace

Most people feel treated with respect

Most people get breaks without interruption

Some people are stressed out

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