The majority of workers are satisfied with their employer's crisis management strategy
Despite the challenges of social distancing, most workers believe the experience of surviving the COVID-19 crisis together has brought them even closer as a team.
The majority of workers (72%) are satisfied with their employer’s crisis management strategy – and managers are continuing to earn their employees’ trust, a study by Canada-based communications firm Argyle showed.
One positive outcome of providing and reciprocating support during these trying times is the way employer and employee relations have improved, according to 49% of respondents. In contrast, only 29% reported their relations with managers have taken a turn for the worse in the wake of the crisis.
Team spirit is improving across the board: more than half of employees believe their bond with co-workers has grown stronger in recent weeks despite being unable to work in a shared environment.
“People are working harder on their workplace relationships,” Argyle CEO Daniel Tisch said. “This is essential as we adapt to new ways of working.”
As the global economy recovers from the fallout of the pandemic – with massive layoffs and pay cuts sweeping across industries – the jobless don’t necessarily blame their employers for their fate. More than half of workers (53%) still believe their companies handled the crisis with grace.
READ MORE: How has COVID-19 impacted managers and employees?
There are other signs of improving workplace relations:
- 69% say their employer ‘takes care of people who work here’
- 68% trust their employer
- 65% agree their employer is ‘concerned about people like me’
- 63% agree their employer is ‘committed to meeting my expectations’
There is, however, one ‘weak spot’ among employers: only 39% of workers feel empowered to voice out their ideas and influence their employer’s decisions or direction, the study found.
“In times of crisis and change, one of the most terrifying things is feeling like we have no autonomy or influence over the events shaking our lives,” Tisch said.
“Wise employers will be more transparent than ever with their teams, and engage employees consistently and creatively to help address business and organizational challenges,” he said.
