2020 Federal Managers Survey: Results on Government Performance and Management Issues

United States Government Accountability Office

Department of Commerce (Commerce)

This section presents responses provided by managers at Commerce to the questions in our 2020 survey. For each close-ended question, it presents an estimated percentage along with the 95 percent confidence interval. For comparison, we also provide the overall government-wide estimates (which include the responses of managers at Commerce). Although respondents were able to provide written comments to open-ended questions, we do not make those responses available.

Overall, 119 managers at Commerce responded to our survey, for a weighted response rate of 69 percent. When looking at individual questions, the number of managers who responded may vary. This is due to skip patterns associated with some questions, and respondents choosing not to answer certain questions.

Contents

• Section 1. Background (Note: Background results are intentionally not reported)
• Section 2. Performance Measures and Information
• Section 3. Program Evaluations
• Section 4. Additional Types of Information
• Section 5. Financial Information
• Section 6. Funding and Continuity of Operations during the COVID-19 Pandemic
• Section 7. Telework during the COVID-19 Pandemic

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Section 1. Background

The results in this section are intentionally not reported.

Section 2. Performance Measures and Information

This section asks questions about performance measures and information.

For the purpose of this survey, performance measures collect data (i.e., performance information) to track progress towards achieving agency goals or objectives. These measures may also be used to assess the overall performance of a program/operation/project.

The measures can be quantitative or qualitative, and can focus on different aspects of performance such as customer satisfaction, efficiency, or quality.

Subsection 2a. Your Experience as a Manager

This first sub-section asks questions about your current role as a manager and the program(s) in which you are involved. When we say 'program' we mean any program(s), operation(s), or project(s) for which you have management responsibilities.

2. Are there performance measures for the program(s) that you are involved with? (Select one.)

Note: Only respondents who answered “Yes” on question 2 were also asked to answer questions 3 through 6. Those who did not are reflected in the “Missing or Nonresponse” category for those questions.

3. To what extent, if at all, do you agree with the following statements regarding performance measures for the program(s) that you are involved with? (Select one answer in each row.)

3a. Program staff and I take steps to align program performance measures with agency-wide goals and objectives

3b. There are meaningful performance measures for my program(s)

3c. Program staff and I have a shared understanding of the definitions used to measure performance

4. To what extent does your program(s) have the following types of measures? (Select one answer in each row.)

4a. We have performance measures that tell us the amount of resources being used to develop, maintain or deliver the products or services we provide. If none of these types of information are available to you, skip to question 27 (Input measures)

4b. We have performance measures that tell us how many things we produce or services we provide (Output measures)

4c. We have performance measures that tell us about the quality of the products or services we provide (Quality measures)

4d. We have performance measures that tell us if we are operating efficiently (Process measures)

4e. We have performance measures that tell us whether or not we are satisfying our customers (Customer service measures)

4f. We have performance measures that tell us how the products or services we provide are distributed across different populations (Equity measures)

4g. We have performance measures that would demonstrate whether or not we are achieving our intended results (Outcome measures)

5. Which of the following describe your program's development, if any, of new measures to assess the performance or results of activities undertaken as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic? (Select one answer in each row.)

5a. We will use existing measures to assess some of these activities

5b. We have developed new measures for some of these activities

5c. We are developing, or planning to develop, new measures for some of these activities

5d. We are not developing any new measures for these activities

5e. My program does not have any COVID-19-related activities to assess

6. For those program(s) that you are involved with, to what extent, if at all, do you use the information obtained from performance measurement when participating in the following activities? (Select one answer in each row.)

6a. Setting program priorities

6b. Setting new or revising existing performance goals

6c. Refining program performance measures

6d. Developing program strategy

6e. Allocating resources

6f. Identifying program problems to be addressed

6g. Taking corrective action to solve program problems

6h. Identifying opportunities to reduce, eliminate, or better manage duplicative activities

6i. Coordinating program efforts with other internal or external organizations

6j. Identifying and sharing effective program approaches with others

6k. Adopting new program approaches or changing work processes

6l. Informing the public about how programs are performing

6m. Setting individual job expectations for the government employees I manage or supervise

6n. Rewarding government employees I manage or supervise

7. To what extent, if at all, do you agree with the following statements about the performance information for the program(s) that you are involved with? (Select one answer in each row.)

7a. I have access to the performance information I need to manage my program(s)

7b. The performance information is available in time to be useful

7c. The performance information is of sufficient quality (valid, credible, accurate, and complete)

7d. The performance information is in an easy-to-use format

8. For the program(s) that you are involved with, to what extent, if at all, do you agree with the following statements? (Select one answer in each row.)

8a. I have access to the analytical tools needed to collect, analyze, and use performance information

8b. Staff involved in the program(s) collectively have the knowledge and skills needed to collect, analyze, and use performance information

8c. I communicate performance information about my program(s) on a routine basis to internal and external stakeholders

8d. The individual I report to periodically reviews with me the results or outcomes of the program(s)

8e. Changes by management above my level to the program(s) are based on results- or outcome-oriented performance information

8f. Existing processes and systems allow my program(s) to collect the performance information needed to assess the results of COVID-19 pandemic-related activities

9. Based on your experience, to what extent, if at all, do you agree with the following statements? (Select one answer in each row.)

9a. The individual I report to pays attention to my agency's use of performance information in management decision making

9b. Compared to 3 years ago, the individual I report to pays more attention to my agency's use of performance information in management decision making

9c. Employees that report to me pay attention to my agency's use of performance information in management decision making

9d. Compared to 3 years ago, employees that report to me pay more attention to my agency's use of performance information in management decision making

10. During the past 3 years, has your agency provided, arranged, or paid for training that would help you to accomplish the following tasks? (Select one answer in each row.)

10a. Conduct strategic planning

10b. Set program performance goals

10c. Develop program performance measures

10d. Assess the quality of performance data

10e. Use program performance information to make decisions

10f. Link the performance of program(s)/operation(s)/project(s) to the achievement of agency strategic goals

Subsection 2b. Other Managers at Your Level

This sub-section asks additional questions about performance measures and information. Please provide your opinion as it relates to other managers at your level in your agency.

11. To what extent, if at all, do you agree with the following statements as they relate to other managers at your level in your agency? (Select one answer in each row.)

11a. Managers take steps to align program performance measures with agency-wide goals and objectives

11b. Managers are held accountable for the results of the program(s) they are responsible for

11c. Managers are held accountable for agency accomplishment of its strategic goals

11d. Managers have the decision making authority they need to help the agency accomplish its strategic goals

11e. Managers can easily access my agency's performance information

11f. Managers have analytical tools to collect, analyze, and use performance information

11g. Managers take steps to ensure that performance information is useful and/or appropriate

11h. Managers use performance information to recognize employees for their performance

11i. Managers effectively communicate performance information on a routine basis

11j. Managers use performance information to share effective program approaches with others

Subsection 2c. Your Agency and Top Leadership

This sub-section asks additional questions about performance measures and information. Please provide your opinion as it relates to your agency and your agency's top leadership.

12. To what extent, if at all, do you agree with the following statements as they relate to performance information at your agency? (Select one answer in each row.)

12a. My agency's performance information is easily accessible to employees, as appropriate

12b. My agency's performance information is easily accessible to the public, as appropriate

12c. My agency's performance information is available in time to be useful for employees

12d. My agency's performance information is of sufficient quality (valid, credible, accurate, and complete)

12e. My agency's performance information is in an easy-to-use format

13. To what extent, if at all, do you agree with the following statements as they relate to your agency? (Select one answer in each row.)

13a. My agency takes steps to align program performance measures throughout the organization with agency-wide goals and objectives

13b. Employees in my agency receive positive recognition for helping the agency accomplish its strategic goals

13c. My agency is investing the resources needed to ensure that its performance information is of sufficient quality

13d. My agency has staff with the knowledge and skills needed to collect, analyze, and use performance information

13e. My agency is investing in resources to improve the agency's capacity to use performance information

14. To what extent, if at all, do you agree with the following statements as they relate to your agency's top leadership? (Select one answer in each row.)

14a. My agency's top leadership demonstrates a strong commitment to achieving results

14b. My agency's top leadership demonstrates a strong commitment to using performance information to guide decision making

14c. My agency's top leadership communicates performance information throughout the organization on a routine basis

14d. My agency's top leadership pays attention to the use of performance information in management decision making throughout my agency

14e. Compared to three years ago, my agency's top leadership pays more attention to the use of performance information in management decision making throughout my agency

Subsection 2d. Quarterly Performance Reviews

Please Note:

Quarterly performance reviews, which some agencies refer to as 'stat' meetings or data-driven performance reviews, are regular meetings held at the highest levels of your agency. These reviews examine progress toward accomplishing _____, and in some cases, other agency performance goals.

Among other things, these reviews are typically used to assess agencies' coordination efforts, activities and contributions to goals, and strategies for improvement, when applicable. Quarterly performance reviews are to involve key leadership and other relevant parties.

These reviews may be conducted more frequently than quarterly.

In the following questions, 'quarterly performance reviews' refers to all aspects of these reviews, including preparation, review, and follow-up.

In the following question, 'agency' refers only to your cabinet-level department (e.g., Department of Transportation) or independent agency (e.g., Environmental Protection Agency).

Please do not consider activities at the major component level (e.g., Federal Aviation Administration, Army, Internal Revenue Service).

As with prior questions, 'program' means any program(s), operation(s), or project(s) for which you have management responsibilities.

15. How familiar are you with your agency's quarterly performance reviews? (Select one.)

Note: Only respondents who indicated familiarity on question 15 were also asked to answer questions 16a through n. Those who did not are reflected in the “Missing or Nonresponse” category for those questions.

16. To what extent, if at all, do you agree with the following statements as they relate to your agency's quarterly performance reviews? (Select one answer in each row.)

Information for Reviews

16a. My agency has the performance information needed for these reviews

16b. My agency has the capacity to analyze the performance information needed for these reviews

16c. Performance information for these reviews is communicated to relevant parties in an easy-to-understand, useful format

Review Participants

16d. Agency leadership actively participates in these reviews

16e. These reviews include staff with relevant knowledge needed to facilitate problem solving and identify improvement opportunities

16f. These reviews include officials external to the agency who contribute to the goals discussed at the reviews

16g. The program(s) that I am involved with has been the subject of these reviews

Review Purpose and Follow-Up

16h. These reviews are held on a regular, routine basis

16i. These reviews focus on goals and objectives that are aligned with my agency's strategic and performance plans

16j. Agency leadership uses these reviews to help achieve agency performance goals

16k. Agency leadership is using these reviews to assess the results of our COVID-19 pandemic-related activities

16l. My agency uses these reviews to identify problems or opportunities associated with agency performance goals

16m. My agency has a process in place for following up on problems or opportunities identified through these reviews

Other Agency Reviews

16n. These reviews have led to similar meetings at lower levels

Section 3. Program Evaluations

Program evaluations are individual, systematic studies using research methods to assess how well a program, operation or project is achieving its objectives and the reasons why it may, or may not, be performing as expected. Program evaluations answer specific questions, typically associated with a single product or report, such as how well a program is operating, whether a program is reaching targeted recipients, why a program is not achieving its desired outcomes, or whether one approach is more effective than another.

Program evaluation as defined here does not include information gathered for more regular management use, such as routine program monitoring, performance information, or quarterly performance reviews. It also does not include an audit or review performed by GAO or your agency's inspector general.

Please note: When we say 'program' here we mean any program(s), operation(s), or project(s) for which you have management responsibilities.

17. To what extent do you agree with the following statements about program evaluations of your program(s)?

17a. I am familiar with program evaluation(s) at my agency.

Note: Only respondents who indicated familiarity on question 17a were also asked to answer questions 17b through 22. Those who did not are reflected in the “Missing or Nonresponse” category for those questions.

17b. I have access to program evaluation(s) I need to manage my program(s).

18. Within your program(s), have you served in any of the following roles in program evaluation(s)? (Select one answer in each row.)

18a. Leader or member of an agency team that identified or prioritized research questions for potential evaluation(s)

18b. Evaluator who has managed third parties responsible for conducting evaluation(s)

18c. Member of the program staff that provided program information or context to evaluators

18d. Evaluator or member of a team that conducted evaluation(s)

18e. Manager who has used the results of the evaluation(s) to make performance improvement decisions

19. To what extent does your program(s) use results from evaluations for the following purposes? (Select one answer in each row.)

19a. Implementing changes to improve program performance

19b. Adopting new program approaches, operations, or processes

19c. Sharing effective program approaches or lessons learned

19d. Allocating resources within the program

19e. Explaining or providing context for performance results

19f. Informing the public about the program's performance, as appropriate

20. To what extent do you agree with the following statements about evaluations of your program(s)? (Select one answer in each row.)

20a. Evaluations addressed issues important to key stakeholders

20b. Evaluations were completed without undue influence

20c. Evaluations were technically rigorous (i.e., they produced accurate, valid, and high quality evidence)

20d. Evaluation results had clear implications for program improvement

20e. Evaluation results were delivered in time to be useful

20f. Evaluation recommendations were feasible to implement with existing resources

21. To what extent do you agree with the following statements about staff collectively in your program(s)? (Select one answer in each row.)

21a. Program staff have the skills necessary to conduct program evaluations

21b. Program staff have the skills necessary to understand program evaluation methods, results, and limitations

21c. Program staff have the skills necessary to implement evaluation recommendations

21d. Program staff receive training in program evaluation (e.g., formal classroom training, conferences, on the job training)

21e. Program staff have access to evaluation experts to support evaluation-related tasks (e.g., through other agency programs, external organizations)

22. To what extent do you agree with the following statements about evaluations of your program(s)? (Select one answer in each row.)

22a. Agency top leadership was committed to using evaluations

22b. Congress supported the use of evaluations

22c. Evaluations of my program were guided by an agency evaluation plan

22d. Evaluations were guided by agency evaluation policies

22e. Evaluations involved consultation with key staff in my program

22f. Evaluations involved consultation with key external stakeholders

22g. Disagreements among stakeholders were easy to resolve

22h. Evaluation results were made easily accessible and available to the public, as appropriate

22i. My program systematically tracked the implementation of evaluation recommendations

23. Please answer the following question.

If an evaluation of your program contained recommendations for program improvements, how likely would you be to take the following actions? (Select one answer in each row.)

23a. Support implementation of recommended changes

23b. Seek additional resources for implementation of recommendations

23c. Support making the evaluation results public (for example, on your agency or program website), as appropriate

23d. Invite one or more members of the evaluation team to share the results with your agency's top leadership

23e. Invite one or more members of the evaluation team to share the results with program staff

If an evaluation of your program based on questions identified by program staff contained recommendations for program improvements, how likely would you be to take the following actions? (Select one answer in each row.)

23a. Support implementation of recommended changes

23b. Seek additional resources for implementation of recommendations

23c. Support making the evaluation results public (for example, on your agency or program website), as appropriate

23d. Invite one or more members of the evaluation team to share the results with your agency's top leadership

23e. Invite one or more members of the evaluation team to share the results with program staff

If an evaluation of your program based on questions identified by your agency's top leadership contained recommendations for program improvements, how likely would you be to take the following actions? (Select one answer in each row.)

23a. Support implementation of recommended changes

23b. Seek additional resources for implementation of recommendations

23c. Support making the evaluation results public (for example, on your agency or program website), as appropriate

23d. Invite one or more members of the evaluation team to share the results with your agency's top leadership

23e. Invite one or more members of the evaluation team to share the results with program staff

Section 4. Additional Types of Information

Please Note:

This section focuses on additional types of information beyond performance information and program evaluation covered in previous sections that may be useful for the program(s) that you are involved with. As with prior questions, when we say program we mean any program(s), operation(s), or project(s) for which you have management responsibilities.

Among other things, these additional types of information can include the following:

Administrative data are collected by agencies, contractors, or grantees, among others, to carry out the basic operations and administration of a program. Examples could include data from nutrition assistance program applications, medical program payment records, school enrollment records, or local measurements of pollution collected to administer environmental laws.

Statistical data are collected for the purpose of describing or making estimates concerning society, the economy, or the environment, or relevant subgroups or components. They can consist of survey data, aggregate indicators, descriptive statistics, or other data collected by your agency or others to better understand a population or condition. Examples could include Census data, economic data, highway traffic statistics, or crime statistics.

Research and Analysis may provide information and insights pertinent to a program, its objectives, the populations it serves, or challenges it faces. Examples could include a study on mental health disorders and likelihood of employment, or an economic analysis on child support debt. An agency may conduct its own research and analysis, or it may contract for others to conduct it. The agency may also identify relevant research and analysis conducted by other entities, such as other federal, state or local government entities; academic researchers; or think tanks.

24. To what extent do you have the following types of information available to you for the program(s) that you are involved with? (Select one answer in each row.)

If none of these types of information are available to you, check this box and click the link to skip to question 27:

24a. Administrative data

24b. Statistical data

24c. Research and analysis

24d. Other information not specified above. (Please describe below).

Note: Only respondents who used the extent scale on question 24 were also asked to answer questions 25 and 26. Those who did not are reflected in the “Missing or Nonresponse” category for those questions.

If you answered "Other information not specified above," please specify the other information here.

Responses to open-ended questions intentionally not reported.

25. Based on your response in question 24, to what extent, if at all, do you use any of those types of information when participating in the following activities for the program(s) you are involved with? (Select one answer in each row.)

25a. Providing context about the problem the program is designed to address

25b. Setting or revising program priorities and goals

25c. Developing program strategy

25d. Explaining or providing context for performance results

25e. Refining program performance measures

25f. Allocating resources

25g. Identifying opportunities to improve program performance

25h. Identifying and sharing effective program approaches with others

25i. Adopting new program approaches or changing work processes

25j. Identifying opportunities to reduce, eliminate or better manage duplicative activities

25k. Coordinating program efforts within your agency or with other external entities

25l. Identifying opportunities to support the program's activities to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic

25m. Other activity not listed. (Please describe below).

If you answered "Other activity not listed," please specify the other activity here.

Responses to open-ended questions intentionally not reported.

26. Thinking about all these additional types of information (i.e., administrative and statistical data, and research and analysis) that you have available for your program(s), to what extent, if at all, do you agree with the following statements? (Select one answer in each row.)

26a. Program staff collectively have the knowledge and skills needed to collect, analyze, and use these additional types of information

26b. I have access to the analytical tools needed to collect, analyze, and use these additional types information

26c. I have the additional types of information I need to manage my programs

26d. I have access to these additional types of information produced by my agency

26e. I have access to these additional types of information produced by entities outside my agency (such as other federal agencies, academic researchers, and think tanks)

27. Thinking more broadly about your agency, to what extent, if at all, do you agree with the following statements about additional types of information (i.e., administrative and statistical data, and research and analysis)? (Select one answer in each row.)

27a. My agency communicates about the additional types of information that are available to its employees

27b. My agency has the analytical tools needed to collect, analyze, and use these additional types of information

27c. My agency has staff with the knowledge and skills needed to collect, analyze and use these additional types of information

27d. My agency is investing resources to improve its capacity to collect, analyze, and use these additional types of information

27e. My agency has staff with the knowledge and skills to integrate and compare findings from performance measurement, program evaluations, and additional types of information

27f. My agency has information systems and processes in place to protect the privacy and security of its data

27g. My agency's top leadership demonstrates a strong commitment to using a variety of data and information in decision making (including performance information, program evaluations, and additional types of information)

28. During the past 3 years, has your agency provided, arranged, or paid for training that would help you to accomplish the following tasks? (Select one answer in each row.)

28a. Identify and collect additional types of information, such as administrative or statistical data, or research and analysis

28b. Assess the quality of data, such as administrative or statistical data

28c. Assess the credibility of data, research, and analysis

28d. Analyze administrative and statistical data, and research and analysis to draw conclusions or inform decisions

28e. Better understand how to choose the right type(s) of information for different kinds of decisions

Section 5. Financial Information

Please Note:

In addition to performance information, program evaluations, and other types of information addressed previously, government agencies produce a wide range of financial information. This section focuses specifically on the information submitted for and available on USAspending.gov, an official source of spending and spending-related data of the U.S. Government. In compliance with the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (FFATA), as amended by the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act of 2014 (DATA Act) requirements, USAspending.gov provides information on almost all types of federal spending including, but not limited to, agency budgetary and financial data as well as federal grants, contracts, and loans.

Please note: As with our prior questions, when we say 'program' we mean any program(s), operation(s), or project(s) for which you have management responsibilities.

29. How familiar are you with the USAspending.gov website? (Select one.)

Note: Only respondents who indicated familiarity on question 29 were asked to answer questions 30 and 31. Those who did not are reflected in the “Missing or Nonresponse” category for those questions.

30. To what extent, if at all, are data available on USAspending.gov useful for the following activities? (Select one answer in each row.)

30a. Improve understanding of overall spending for your program(s)

30b. Compare spending data and related information for other program(s) within your agency to your own

30c. Compare spending data and related information for program(s) in other agencies or government-wide to your own

30d. Increase the availability/transparency of spending data and related information regarding your program(s) for the public or other stakeholders

30e. Manage your program(s)

30f. Improve understanding of COVID-19 pandemic-related spending for your program(s)

30g. Other use not listed. (Please describe below).

If you answered "Other use not listed," please specify the other use here.

Responses to open-ended questions intentionally not reported.

31. To what extent, if at all, have any of the following factors limited or prevented your use of data on USAspending.gov? (Select one answer in each row.)

31a. Data and information on my program(s) are not available on USAspending.gov

31b. I already have access to information I need from another source

31c. I am not sure what is available on USAspending.gov

31d. It is difficult to use the website to locate data and information I need

31e. The data and information on USAspending.gov is not in a format that is useful to me

31f. Data and information on USAspending.gov are not of sufficient quality for my needs

31g. Other factor not listed. (Please describe below).

If you answered "Other factor not listed," please specify the other factor here.

Responses to open-ended questions intentionally not reported.

Section 6. Funding and Continuity of Operations during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Beginning in March 2020, Congress and the President have taken a series of actions to respond to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Several laws, including the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, provide emergency financial support for our nation's health care system, economy, and citizens. Funding is being provided through existing programs as well as new programs and funds.

In addition, through executive actions, the President has made additional federal funds available. This has included making disaster relief funding available through disaster declarations, and directing agencies and programs to reallocate existing funding to the extent permissible by law to help respond to the pandemic.

On March 17, 2020, consistent with the President's declaration of a national emergency, the Office of Management and Budget issued guidance that directs agencies to adjust their operations and services to minimize face-to-face interactions while ensuring that government operations continue. Among other things, the guidance gives agencies the flexibility to reduce or postpone functions deemed non-mission-critical, or that require in-person interactions, and to realign individuals or work units to higher-priority activities. It also directs agencies to review and modify their policies and procedures to safeguard the health and safety of federal workplaces.

Please note: When we say 'program' here and throughout this survey, we mean any program(s), operation(s), or project(s) for which you have management responsibilities.

32. To what extent, if at all, has funding for your program(s) changed because of actions to respond to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic? (Select one.)

33. Considering your management responsibilities prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which of the following statements describe how your program(s) activities have been affected? (Select yes or no for each row.)

33a. Some program activities were expanded

33b. Some program activities were reduced

33c. Some program activities remained the same

33d. Some program activities were suspended but have been restarted

33e. Some program activities were suspended and we plan to restart them

33f. Some program activities were terminated

34. How did you make use, if at all, of the following types of guidance in managing your program's operations during the pandemic? (Select one answer in each row.)

34a. Agency continuity of operations (COOP) plan

34b. Agency pandemic response plan

34c. Guidance provided during internal agency briefings (in-person, teleconference, or webcast)

34d. Internal agency communications (e.g., memos, emails, information on internal web sites, or answers to frequently asked questions)

34e. External guidance or plans (e.g., from OMB or OPM)

34f. Other guidance not listed.(Please describe below).

If you answered "Other guidance not listed," please specify the other guidance here.

Responses to open-ended questions intentionally not reported.

35. To what extent, if at all, was guidance from your agency available in time to be useful to support the following types of management decisions regarding continuing your program's operations during the COVID-19 pandemic? (Select one answer in each row.)

35a. Determining which activities to increase, maintain, and/or decrease

35b. Expanding operations for activities that are being increased

35c. Continuing operations for those activities that are being maintained

35d. Reducing or ending activities that are being decreased

35e. Reallocating resources among activities

35f. Protecting the health and safety of program staff

35g. Providing human capital flexibilities for program staff (e.g., telework, alternate schedules, leave, etc.)

35h. Hiring/onboarding new staff to fill critical needs

36. To what extent, if at all, was guidance from your agency sufficient to support the following types of decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic? (Select one answer in each row.)

36a. Determining which activities to increase, maintain, and/or decrease

36b. Expanding operations for activities that are being increased

36c. Continuing operations for those activities that are being maintained

36d. Reducing or ending activities that are being decreased

36e. Reallocating resources among activities

36f. Protecting the health and safety of program staff

36g. Providing human capital flexibilities for program staff (e.g., telework, alternate schedules, leave, etc.)

36h. Hiring/onboarding new staff to fill critical needs

37. How have the following factors facilitated or hindered your ability to maintain your program's operations during the COVID-19 pandemic? (Select one answer in each row.)

37a. Reallocation of resources within your agency

37b. Flexibility offered to staff to work alternate schedules

37c. Flexibility offered to staff to work remotely

37d. Flexibility offered to staff to take leave

37e. Your agency's ability to maintain a safe environment for work that continued onsite

37f. Your agency's infrastructure to support remote work (i.e., policies, guidance, technology, and technical assistance)

37g. Prior agency training and exercises on its continuity of operations plan

37h. Ability to hire/add new staff to fill critical needs

37i. Other factor not listed. (Please describe below).

If you answered "Other factor not listed," please specify the other factor here.

Responses to open-ended questions intentionally not reported.

Section 7. Telework during the COVID-19 Pandemic

On March 17, 2020, consistent with the President's declaration of a national emergency, the Office of Management and Budget directed agencies to 'maximize telework across the nation for the Federal workforce (including mandatory telework, if necessary), while maintaining mission-critical workforce needs.' Subsequent guidance from the Office of Personnel Management clarified that for certain employees that cannot safely travel to an approved work location, or work remotely due to their job function, the agency would provide a portable work assignment or provide leave.

Please note: As with prior questions, when we say 'program' below we mean any program, operation, or project for which you have management responsibilities.

38. Which of the following responses generally describes where you worked, and have been working, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic?

For this question, please select one anwer for 'Before' and one answer for 'During.'

38a. Before the pandemic:

38b. During the pandemic:

39. While teleworking during the pandemic, to what extent have you been satisfied or dissatisfied with the ability to complete the following activities? (Select one answer in each row.)

39a. My ability to complete my own work tasks

39b. My ability to supervise program staff

39c. Program staff's ability to complete their work tasks

39d. Maintaining personal connections among staff

39e. Our ability to coordinate within our agency

39f. Our ability to coordinate with stakeholders outside our agency

40. Thinking about your own preferences, to what extent would you say that you supported, or will support, use of telework by staff in your program(s) at the following times? (Select one answer in each row.)

40a. Before any changes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic

40b. While OMB's directive to maximize telework during the COVID-19 pandemic is in effect

40c. In the future, if OMB's directive to maximize telework is suspended

41. How have the following factors facilitated or hindered the use of telework for your program(s) during the COVID-19 pandemic? (Select one answer in each row.)

41a. Your agency's telework policy prior to the pandemic

41b. Modifications to your agency's telework policy (including those made through COOP) during the pandemic

41c. The commitment to telework demonstrated by your agency's top leadership prior to the pandemic

41d. The commitment to telework demonstrated by your agency's top leadership during the pandemic

41e. The commitment to telework prior to the pandemic demonstrated by the person you report to

41f. The commitment to telework during the pandemic demonstrated by the person you report to

41g. The nature of your program's activities (i.e., extent to which tasks can be completed via telework)

41h. Your agency's equipment and technology

41i. Availability of telework training or instructional materials

41j. Access to technical support to address technology issues

42. Thinking of the staff that work for your program(s), to what extent, if at all, do the following generally describe where your staff have worked during the COVID-19 pandemic? (Select one answer in each row.)

42a. Teleworked or worked remotely

42b. Worked onsite

42c. Took administrative, weather, or safety leave, specifically

43. Based on your own experience, or your understanding of working onsite during the COVID-19 pandemic, to what extent do you agree with the following statements? (Select one answer in each row.)

43a. Work spaces and other necessary facilities were sufficiently clean and sanitized

43b. Face masks were available, as needed

43c. Other personal protective equipment (e.g., gloves, robes/gowns, etc.) was available, as needed

43d. Hand sanitizer was available, as needed

43e. It was possible to maintain social distancing while onsite

43f. Employees received temperature screening before entering agency facilities

44. Based on your own experience, to what extent have employees at your agency who were exposed to confirmed case(s) of COVID-19 been asked to do the following? (Select one answer in each row.)

44a. Take sick leave

44b. Take administrative leave

44c. Take Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or CARES Act leave

44d. Take annual leave

44e. Work onsite as long as asymptomatic

44f. Continue to work, but do so remotely