The beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the world and forced businesses to reevaluate their readiness for large-scale crises. Many employers were caught off guard and left scrambling. A recent survey from Fusion Risk Management shows that nearly 1 in 4 workers doubt employers could handle another pandemic.
In May 2024, Fusion Risk Management surveyed 1,001 American full-time and part-time employees across various industries. The survey aimed to understand how their companies responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and how prepared they are for future potential pandemics. Respondents were 48% female, 50% male, and 2% non-binary, aged 19 to 77 and an average age of 41.
The Importance of Timely and Efficient Responses
The lack of preparedness had significant and tangible consequences. The survey revealed that most employees felt their organizations were unprepared for the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the survey:
- 83% of employees indicated their company did not have a dedicated pandemic preparedness plan.
- 53% felt their company was not prepared for the pandemic.
- 43% believed their company could have better-supported employees during the pandemic.
- 32% felt that they weren’t valued while working during the pandemic.
These findings highlight a significant gap in preparedness and the critical need for companies to develop pandemic plans. A staggering 74% of employees reported that their company took three weeks or more after the initial outbreak to implement policy changes. This delay likely contributed to the 45% of companies that experienced a COVID-19 outbreak, with nearly half of these outbreaks attributed to poor pandemic preparation. This underscores the danger and costliness of a slow and inefficient response.
Employee Experiences During the Pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, employees’ job experiences were significantly affected, regardless of their role or location. Many reported negative experiences, such as having to work in person (54%), experiencing layoffs and furloughs (30%), lacking flexibility in hours or schedules (26%), and facing temporary shutdowns (22%).
However, the survey also revealed some positive outcomes. More than half (52%) of respondents noted that their company has implemented new policies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This adaptability and commitment to employee safety are crucial learnings from the pandemic. The top ways companies changed their approach included implementing safety protocols (66%), shifting to remote work (62%), and providing personal protective equipment (61%).
Employee sentiment towards their company’s handling of the pandemic was mixed. While 56% reported a positive or very positive experience, nearly 1 in 5 felt negatively impacted. Forty-three percent believed their company could have done more to support them, and 26% added that their company still needs to improve communication about health and safety measures. Suppose every company had a strategy in place to approach large-scale disruptions such as the pandemic. In that case, there’s a chance that employees would’ve had a much smoother, more positive experience despite the undeniable hardships.
Are Companies Prepared for Another Pandemic?
Looking back over the past few years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, it appears that businesses are not fully prepared to handle another large-scale disruptions. Eighteen percent of employees still believe their company is not ready for another health emergency. Almost 1 in 4 (23%) doubt their current company could effectively manage another pandemic. Unfortunately, 33% of respondents mentioned that their companies have completely returned to pre-pandemic operations, and 39% noted that their companies have mostly gone back to how they operated before the pandemic, albeit with some changes.
However, the pandemic has made many organizations more aware of the significance of potential vulnerabilities and risk management (43%). Many companies were unprepared to deal with disruptions due to a lack of resilient mindset and business continuity practices. However, the situation seems to be evolving, with companies implementing new risk management strategies (29%) and emphasizing proactive risk identification and mitigation (28%).
COVID-19 served as a wake-up call for businesses in every industry. Even though many adapted well, for companies to handle another large-scale crisis successfully, they will need improved communication and renewed investment in risk management and operational resilience.
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