3 Ways COVID-19

Is Impacting
Employee Experience
AND WHERE WE GO FROM HERE
The way we work will never
be the same.
Earlier this year the COVID-19 pandemic forced
much of the world into a sudden work-from-
home experiment. While businesses try to find
their footing and innovate in an increasingly
uncertain economic environment, many workers
are juggling added responsibilities at home while
worrying about the safety and well-being of
themselves and their families. In order to thrive in
the midst of all this, organizations must find ways
to keep employees engaged and committed to the
company mission, values, and goals.
To get a better understanding of how the current climate is
impacting employee experience, Workhuman® conducted
a pulse survey of more than 3,000 full-time U.S. workers
in early May across various industries. Their candid
responses illustrate what’s most important to workers right
now and where organizations should focus attention for
future initiatives.
ONE
A lack of facetime is making peer support
more important than ever.
Gallup has reported managers account for at least 70%
variance in employee engagement scores.2 How are
manager-employee relationships faring during COVID-19?
Unfortunately, the average score workers gave their
managers was 65/100 for how well they boosted motivation
and engagement during this time.
Workers were also asked how often they felt a sense of
loneliness and isolation in the past two months since the
pandemic began; 42% said they felt this way once a week or
more often. And 10% of those workers said they felt lonely
every day.
According to the World Health
Organization, depression and
anxiety have a significant
economic impact, costing the
global economy an estimated
$1 trillion per year in lost
productivity.3
The key to driving engagement right now is to focus on
programs that support social connection.

Relationships are key to employee retention1 and survey

results reaffirm employees’ innate desire for connection.
When remote workers were asked “What do you miss
most about working in the office?” the top answer was “my
colleagues,” even more than culture, work/life balance,
and routine.
TWO THREE

Burnout and stress are prevalent. New policies, perks, and work styles will
About midway through the pandemic, many workers become the norm.
described “hitting a wall.” Social distancing, health risks, Nearly half of workers (45%) said their companies extended
upside down routines – all of this is wearing on people. new benefits and/or perks during the pandemic:
According to our survey, 38% of workers experienced a
form of burnout during the pandemic (for working parents, 18% of companies gave additional
the number was even higher – 42%). And while many
experienced working from home for the first time, 25% said sick leave
their sense of work/life balance became worse over this time
period. Twenty-six percent of workers admitted working 15% of companies offered extra
more hours as well. paid time off for caregiving
To help employees achieve better (children or elders)
work-life harmony, organizations 14% of companies provided
should encourage time off to hazard pay
recharge and refresh.
14% of companies offered
When we asked workers, “What is the biggest change you’d
like to see happen in the workplace after COVID-19?” the
additional wellness programs
top answer was “more flexible work-from-home policies” Like the desire for work-life harmony and more appreciation,
(39%), followed by “more recognition for the work we’re doing” these perks cater to the whole human at work and
(18%). Organizations should also reevaluate how they show demonstrate a sense of caring on behalf of the company.
appreciation to employees, as 62% of workers said they have
not been recognized since the pandemic began.
Many companies are also conducting a thorough review While the world grapples with this pandemic,
of office layouts and hygiene before welcoming workers companies are fighting increased loneliness and
back. Survey results indicate this is important to employees stress among their employees. This latest pulse
feeling comfortable returning to an office setting. When
survey shows new ways of working that cater to the
asked the biggest change they’d like to see after COVID-19,
whole human at work – and focus on appreciation
write-in responses included “healthy facilities,” “increased
measures of safety and cleanliness,” and “better contingency
and connection – will keep employees motivated
planning.” Even with enhanced safety measures, the and engaged through the uncertainty.
traditional Monday-Friday, 9-5 office schedule is likely a
thing of the past. We asked workers if they’d rather work
from home with their family for the rest of their career or
work only in an open office for the rest of their career; 53%
chose working from home forever.

Sources
1 https://www.adp.com/spark/articles/2018/11/manager-relationships-with-employees-can-boost-retention.aspx
2 https://www.gallup.com/workplace/231593/why-great-managers-rare.aspx
3 https://www.who.int/mental_health/in_the_workplace/en/

To learn more about keeping employees

connected during this time, discover
Workhuman® Cloud.

+1 888-743-6723 | workhuman.com
Or read more on our blog: workhuman.com/whblog

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