2021 'Worst Year' of Americans' Lives So Far

Half of Americans think 2021 was "the worst year of their lives so far,"
according to a December 13 OnePoll survey of 1,000 US adults.

However, 55% of Americans also thought 2020 was the worst year of their
lives in a similar OnePoll survey done a year earlier.

The COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t gone away, which is probably why many
people’s feelings haven’t improved. And it’s younger Americans who seem
to have found 2021 most difficult.

Over 60% of 18- to 40-year-olds said 2021 was hard for them — compared
to only about 40% of people who were 41 or older.

However, even with the arrival of the Omicron variant, seven in 10 also said
they think 2022 will be a better year than 2021.

Many were also happy about returning to work. Almost 90% of the 861
people with jobs said they can't wait to get back to their physical
workplaces.

Most — about 60% — want to see their old colleagues again and meet new
ones.

Nearly 50% look forward to going back to in-person meetings and sitting
and working at their desks. Forty-seven percent even said they look
forward to putting on their work clothes.

People were also positive about how their jobs would change in 2022.

Almost 70% said they think they might get a better job this year — and
about the same number said they thought they could get a raise or
promotion.

So, even if 2020 and 2021 were two of the worst years for many Americans
— 2022 seems to be looking all right!
Discussion
1. What are your thoughts on the findings of this survey?
2. Do you find it surprising that younger Americans found 2021
most difficult?
3. Are most of the people you know concerned about the
Omicron variant?
4. Do you expect 2022 to be a better year than 2021? Why? Why
not?
5. What would you say is the best thing that happened to you in
2021?
6. How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the industry you
work in?
7. Do you know anyone who can't wait to get back to their
physical workplace?
8. Do you prefer to have meetings in-person or online? Why?
9. Does your workplace have a dress code or can you dress
however you like?
10. Which of your colleagues do you enjoy working with the
most? Why?