Kathy Davis, Communications
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| Seed Program staff in Yakima, adhering to mask-wearing and social-distancing protocols. Left to right: Richard Gilbert, field supervisor; Nancy Jones, lab supervisor; Theresa Otto, office supervisor; and Paula Moore; program manager |
WSDA leadership issued a survey in late September to learn how agency employees’ work experience has been affected by changes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key findings of the survey show a significant shift to home-based work, with high levels of productivity and satisfaction with teleworking. Others indicated their job duties require them to work in the field or a facility and cited mask-wearing and other ways their work experience has changed.
In March 2020, state stay-home orders and other restrictions caused the bulk of WSDA office-based staff to begin working at home. Other employees, such as inspectors, were deemed essential staff and continued to support the agriculture industry in non-office settings.
Survey results summary
More than half the agency workforce (53%) took the survey.
Less than half of all respondents (47%) were based in Olympia. Another 40 percent were from Eastern Washington, with 20 percent representing Yakima.
The survey confirmed a significant shift to some level of telework status. Before COVID-19, about half of all agency staff worked fulltime in a facility, such as an office. The rest indicated some combination of field, facility and home-based locations.
Since pandemic restrictions took place, about one-third of all WSDA employees work fulltime from their homes, with another third spending at least some time teleworking. The other one-third reported working exclusively in an agency facility, in the field, or some combination of the two locations.
Those not teleworking
Of those who answered that they spent no time working at home, more than 8 in 10 said they did so because their job duties require it. Comments largely reflected that these employees are required to conduct inspections at industry facilities, or needed to be in an office to perform their job duties.
Most of these field or facility employees cited mask requirements as the primary way their work experience had changed. Nearly half also noted fewer colleagues in the workplace.
Many reported “other” ways work had changed for them, especially in warehouses and industry facilities. Concerns about conditions and lack of following COVID-19 recommendations was a common theme.
Teleworking employees
Most employees who are working at home, either fulltime or at some level, reported being satisfied with this experience. More than 8 in 10 are very or somewhat satisfied, while 12 percent were dissatisfied. Just one-quarter indicated that their work had changed due to COVID-19.
The majority indicated they had a laptop, smartphone, and monitor provided from the agency to use at home. About one-quarter are using their own personal printer for work. Nearly 40 percent have moved an office chair and other furniture or supplies from their office for home use.
Many responded that they have purchased items on their own to use in a home office. More than half bought a table or desk, and 44 percent bought an office chair. Just under one-third have paid to have their home internet connection upgraded since working at home.
Productivity impact
More than 8 in 10 reported their work productivity was either the same or had improved. Just 16 percent said their productivity had suffered.
The top factors (in descending order) respondents credited with increasing productivity were:
- Fewer interruptions
- No commute
- Less socializing
- Comfortable environment
- Supervisor support
While fewer survey respondents said their productivity had declined, the top factors for that drop were:
- Less functional work station
- Less connection (work and social) with coworkers
- Slow internet
- Children schooling at home
When COVID-19 restrictions are eventually lifted, employees indicated a strong preference for continuing some level of teleworking, even though more than three-quarters had no teleworking agreement before the pandemic.
Nearly 30 percent said they would like to continue to work from home fulltime, while another 64 percent want to mostly telework, or at least do so more than before COVID-19.
The top reasons for preferring to continue some level of teleworking were:
- Knowing they could fully perform work from home
- Eliminates or reduces commute
- Better work/life balance
- Flexible schedule
- More productive
The full survey results are available on the WSDA intranet.
In summary: More than half of all WSDA employees responded to a survey seeking to learn how agency employees’ work experience has been affected by changes from the COVID-19 pandemic. Results show a significant shift to home-based work, with high levels of productivity and satisfaction with teleworking. Others indicate their job duties require them to work in the field or a facility, citing mask-wearing and other ways their work experience has changed. Read the summary of results and find a link to full results in the Insider.
