The Foreign Service Journal, July-August 2020

84 JULY-AUGUST 2020 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS Evaluations—Multiple Choice. In the evaluation section of the survey, respon- dents could rate the perfor- mance of their agencies or missions as unacceptable, needs improvement, accept- able, very good or excellent. Performance was assessed in five categories: overall performance, communica- tions, authorized or ordered departure, telework, and health and safety. • Three-quarters of respondents rated their agencies or posts/missions positively—either acceptable, very good or excellent. • Roughly a quarter rated agency or post responses negatively across the board. • Decisions on authorized departure were rated slightly less favorably than other decisions. • Decisions on telework were rated slightly more favorably. Evaluations—Written Comments. Built into the ratings were opportunities for members to comment on their ratings. Despite the generally positive ratings, we found that even though members gave their immedi- ate offices or missions good marks, they voiced concerns that their agency manage- ment would not give enough priority to the health and safety of the workforce. Many respondents com- plained about what was for some an unexpectedly quick withdrawal of the option for authorized departure. On the positive side, there was strong support for telework. Priority Concerns. In response to questions on pri- ority concerns going forward: • An overwhelming num- ber of people focused on the need for clear guidance and prudent policies, especially on the health and safety of Foreign Service members when reopening or resuming “normal” work operations, and the need for planning guidance on the upcoming transfer season. There were also many questions on returning from authorized departure. • A priority concern for families slated to transfer or still on authorized departure is the possibility of family separation when phased operations are resumed. • Many people had ques- tions about travel safety, allowances, opening of inter- national schools, host gov- ernment opening and phased operations, and training. • The effect of pandemic work on promotions was a concern for a significant number of respondents. Those who did not work on the pandemic or who took authorized departure and had child care duties during telework felt at a disadvan- tage. • People who wrote com- ments voiced tremendous support for a continuation of, and maximum use of, telework, during and beyond the current crisis. • Consular officers rated their agency or post more negatively on health and safety. More than 30 percent gave ratings of “unaccept- able” or “needs improve- ment” for the performance of the agency or mission regarding health and safety. Their overwhelming concern going forward was the health and safety of the workforce. • USAID respondents shared general Foreign Ser- vice concerns over transfers and health and safety. They expressed strong support for telework and attention to family issues. • Members expressed a clear desire for upgraded technology. • Many members high- lighted the plight of over- worked employees left behind at posts after others departed; they asked for rec- ognition and some suggested compensation for those employees. • Several respondents advocated for a focus on mental as well as physical health of Foreign Service members. • Multiple singles asked for more balanced attention to their needs. Next Steps for AFSA. • Member ratings for AFSA’s responses to the pandemic were generally positive, but there is a need for more communication. • Several survey respon- dents suggested Foreign Service members start their next overseas assignments virtually, rather than wait for a post to enter Phase 3. It appears as though the June 3 cable on PCS travel (20 STATE 52414) allows this on a case-by-case basis; AFSA will follow up. • Members requested AFSA Town Halls to dissemi- nate information on agency planning and to convey AFSA’s goals to members. AFSA scheduled four virtual town halls in June and plans to host one or two in July. • AFSA will experiment with more types of commu- nication—especially in social media. We will also explore using regular information wrap-ups instead of ad hoc, issue-based communication. •Members strongly underlined their desire for AFSA to continue advocating for maximum flexibility in all areas—training, allowances, PCS, flexible working hours and telework. n COVID-19 Survey Continued from p. 77 An overwhelming number of people focused on the need for clear guidance and prudent policies, especially on the health and safety of Foreign Service members when reopening or resuming “normal” work operations.