Employees Are Gradually Accepting the “New Normal,” Finds ADP
ADP Research Institute recently surveyed more than 24,000 U.S. employees online in the age group 18 years and above to understand the impact of COVID-19 on them. The report, titled “A Workplace Redefined: Employee Resilience Amid The COVID-19 Pandemic,” reveals employee sentiment regarding their ability to work remotely, the effect on productivity, employee confidence about facing the pandemic, and the response from their employer.
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The survey finds that stress, work-life balance, and productivity have attained a stable position instead of deteriorating further. Added to this, a majority of employees are confident that the economic crisis they are currently facing is temporary.
70% of Workers Report Confidence in Retaining Their Jobs
• Initially, remote workers complained about the ability to complete tasks, lack of connectivity to others due to technical issues, lack of necessary equipment, and distractions
• While one-third of employees called the virus the greatest barrier to productivity, half of them blamed the lack of appropriate technology for it
• Now, 70% of workers are confident about retaining their job until the next month
• 58% of employees expect their finances to bounce back in less than 6 months
• With pay cuts being reversed, more employees are returning to work
“The workforce has hit a new ‘normal’ in what it looks like and how it functions, and it is clear that employers and employees adapted quickly to a new way of working,” said Ahu Yildirmaz, co-head of the ADP Research Institute. “This pandemic has significantly changed the world of work, upended employees’ everyday lives, and undoubtedly will have a long-lasting effect on organizations. The rate of the labor market decline is historic, yet employee sentiment has begun to show stabilization. Our research shows that while stress, work/life balance, the ability to connect with others, and the ability to complete tasks haven’t returned to pre-pandemic levels, employee outlook appears to be leveling off despite the impact of COVID-19. As the workforce continues to demonstrate resilience by overcoming challenges and adapting to a new way of working, the shifts we’ve seen previously in workforce flexibility will become a necessity.”
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Employees Are Happy With Their Employers’ Response to COVID-19
• Employees are highly satisfied with employers who are keeping people’s interest first
• Employers encouraging positive thinking in employees and virtual relationships, and providing remote work facilities have generated employee satisfaction
• Satisfied employees are keen to remain with the same employer post the pandemic than they were before this crisis
Employees Have Adapted to the New Normal
• Initially, the new rules in the workplace hampered employees’ comfort zone. However, with the passing of weeks, employees seem to have adapted to the “new normal.”
• While 65% of the workers report that the pandemic has negatively affected their finances, 58% believe that their financial condition will return to the previous level in the short term.
• Employees are gradually becoming confident about their job security. While 68% of employees believe they will retain their job until next month, 31% of them expect to return to work within a month.
• 60% of employees are highly satisfied with their employers’ move in response to the pandemic. Many organizations have increased PTO and benefits and have supported local hospitals and charities.
A People-First Approach as a New Driver of Engagement
Several reports have found that employee confidence in their employers is higher when the latter has demonstrated employee care and an interest in employee well-being. ADP Research Institute’s study further confirms this. Employee care is likely to take center stage going forward, becoming a driver of engagement and a positive employee experience that organizations will be expected to deliver as employees begin to return to work.
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