RSS survey finds more than half of statisticians worked longer hours during pandemic

The RSS has been undertaking work to learn more about the impact of the pandemic on statisticians and data scientists. As part of this, the Society carried out a survey of its members working in the UK government and wider public sector*, which asked about their experience of work during the pandemic and whether their working pattens had changed. The survey found that over half of respondents have worked longer than usual hours since the start the of the pandemic in March 2020.

Responses were submitted between 8 February to 21 February 2022 inclusive, by 151 members, from across the wider public sector, including Civil Service departments, local government and the ONS. The results showed a mixed picture, with some members seeing an increase in workload during the pandemic, and some an improved work-life balance. Overall, the level of workplace support experienced by survey respondents was high, with the majority agreeing that they were supported to raise statistical issues with their department and supported by their line manager.

The key results from the survey show:

• 56% of respondents agreed with the statement that they have had to work longer hours than normal for sustained periods since the start the part of the pandemic (22% somewhat agree, 16% agree, 18% strongly agree). 
• 47% said their workload is still higher than it was before then pandemic (16% somewhat agree, 20% agree, 11% strongly agree) 
• 90% of respondents said they felt supported by their line manager (14% somewhat agree, 36% agree, 40% strongly agree)
• 80% of respondents agreed with the statement that ‘they feel able to raise any statistical issues (or concerns with how statistics are used) within my department’ (18% somewhat agree, 41% agree, 21% strongly agree). 
• 74% agreed that there was good communication in their organisation between statisticians and non-statisticians (23% somewhat agree, 41% agree, 10% strongly agree). 

The survey asked three questions on a seven-point Likert scale to assess the workload of members. It also asked members for their department and civil service grade. Pearson's chi-squared test were used to determine whether the response to statements in each question differed by these two categorical variables. The test found that the only association was between civil service grade and agreement/disagreement with statement. 'I feel able to raise any statistical issues (or concerns with how statistics are used) within my department'. The test found no other association between these two categorical variables, and the responses given to the statements in the survey.

The findings will be used to draw attention to the work that statisticians and data scientists have been doing, as well as potentially informing discussions with the leadership of the Government Statistical Service. It follows the Society’s ‘Statistics are Vital’ campaign, which highlights the key role played by statisticians during the pandemic.

View more about the survey in the accompanying data sheet.