WASHINGTON, DC – As across American sectors, the COVID -19 pandemic has challenged the Federal workforce to respond and continue to perform under unique and often very difficult circumstances. With the 2020 OPM Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (OPM FEVS), OPM took advantage of an opportunity to learn how agencies have supported employees as they continued to strive toward essential missions to serve the American people during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 survey has also provided an important opportunity to inform future emergency polices and actions. 

“A preview of the governmentwide results are heartening,” said Acting Director Michael Rigas. “Through the toughest times, employees have been resilient and motivated while supervisors and senior leaders alike have served employees well by embracing their roles to keep employees safe and informed.”  

Rollout of survey reports to agencies is underway; the release of results to the public is scheduled for early spring.  A first look of highlighted findings from the governmentwide 2020 OPM FEVS show:

• Compared with 2019, the governmentwide response rate increased by over a point and a half to 44.3 percent.
• Job satisfaction among the Federal Workforce rose each year over the last four years from 66.2 in 2016 to 71.6 in 2020.
• The core items of job satisfaction, organizational satisfaction, pay satisfaction and willingness of employees to recommend their organization as a place to work have appeared on the FEVS over years. Scores on each of the four items increased several percentage points from 2019. For example, job satisfaction rose from 68.6 percent in 2019 to 71.6 percent in 2020. 
• As for COVID-19 pandemic content added in 2020, highlighted results show:
  • Over three quarters of respondents indicated their senior leaders provided effective communications about the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Supervisors were rated positively too, with 85% of respondents indicating their supervisor supported their efforts to stay healthy and safe during the pandemic.

“The Federal workforce remains resilient and motivated to serve the American people through even the most challenging times,” said Rigas.

These results, and the results to come in the OPM’s 2020 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey Governmentwide Management Report, will help agencies assess their current state and shape future agency actions.  Check the OPM FEVS website to learn more about the survey and for the forthcoming release of publicly available 2020 results.