6 things public servants need most during COVID-19
Source: apolitical Published: April 21, 2020
Almost four billion people — more than half the world’s population — are estimated to be in lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This has forced governments everywhere to adapt, as working from home is becoming the new norm — including for public servants. Many public servants are working on government responses to this crisis, while at the same time facing its impacts on their personal lives.
So what do public servants need most during the COVID-19 crisis?
We surveyed 750 public servants, primarily from Canada, the UK, Australia and the United States, but in total including voices from 52 countries.* The survey ran from 26 March to 8 April. Respondents were asked to choose from a list of potential challenges, and also to say in their own words what would be most helpful to them during this time.
Across the survey responses, these six things consistently emerged, from mental health to the need for rapid digitization — as what public servants most need (full survey results available here).**