Covid-19 and the employee experience

  1. Home
  2. Insights
  3. Research
  4. Covid-19 and the employee experience

The Covid-19 crisis has created enormous challenges for many UK employees. 

Millions have lost their jobs, or fear imminent redundancy, while a large number have been furloughed. Others are working from home, often having to juggle the demands of work with those of childcare and home schooling. For those employees now returning to the workplace, this is likely to look quite different to any they have ever experienced before. 

All of this is inevitably affecting many people’s mental and financial wellbeing.

 

Understanding the impact of Covid-19 on employees

As part of our “Future of Work” research series, we surveyed a representative sample of employees in UK businesses to gain a detailed understanding of how employees are coping during this crisis.

  • How has the pandemic affected their personal finances and emotional wellbeing?
  • What communication have they received from their employer? Why is this important? 
  • How is an organisation’s behaviour during the crisis likely to affect the views of employees?
A circular progress indicator displays "18%" in bold yellow, set against a dark blue background with lighter blue accents. The design suggests a digital or technological context.
of furloughed employees believe they will be made redundant 

 

A circular graphic features a vertical cylinder with the text "19%” in bold, set against a blue background with abstract circular patterns and nodes illustrating a technological context.
of employees have contacted, or plan to contact, a mental health charity for help
A circular progress indicator displays "57%" prominently in yellow, set against a gradient blue and purple background, with a speech bubble icon suggesting communication or feedback.
of employees have received little or no communication from their employer
A circular progress chart displays a yellow section occupying 63% of the circle, indicating a quantitative measure. The background is a gradient of blue tones, enhancing the visual presentation.
of employees in companies with >5000 staff have received little or no employer communications

 

What does the employment experience look like?

The key findings from our survey paint a worrying picture of wellbeing during the pandemic. Our research reveals a concerning lack of satisfaction with employer/ employee communication that needs to be addressed to stop the creation of a divide between employers and employees.

"It’s crucial that employers do a better job with supporting their employees, regardless of working status."
A circular graphic features a gradient bar on the left, indicating a value of 68% prominently displayed in large, bold text against a dark blue, network-like background.
of employees believe that how a company handles Covid-19 will influence whether they want to work there

As we enter more stormy waters, it is important to remember that your organisation may be judged on your actions during this pandemic for many years to come. 

 

A magnifying glass hovers over a data sheet featuring graphs and charts, emphasizing analytical results within a technology-themed background, suggesting a focus on data analysis and insights.

Find out more

Please contact David Collington, Head of Benefits Consultancy, if you would like further information.

Email David
A professional graphic background features text highlighting an analytical approach to consulting. The message emphasizes helping organizations thrive, noting "EMPLOYER DNA" and inviting contact for more information.