Leading Indicator Systems Releases Survey Results:
The Emotional Toll of COVID-19
Leading Indicator Systems, Inc.
BOSTON, Mass., October 6, 2020
In conjunction with National Mental Illness Awareness Week (Oct. 6-12), LIS announced the release of its Workforce Listening tracking survey focused on the mental health challenges faced by workers during COVID. Fielded in September, the survey focused on indicators of employee wellbeing. Findings suggest that emotional needs have changed toward concerns for social justice; these changes are outpacing employer actions, which are perceived as backsliding. All respondents are full time employees of mid-to-large size companies. The national survey of 805 employees has a confidence level of 95 percent with a margin of error of 3.4 percent.
Employee outlook is bleak
Fears that “the worst is yet to come” from the pandemic have grown from 57% to 63%.
Extreme concern about having access to food/medicine and being able to care for family have both increased by 50%.
Extreme concern that society will break down has doubled from 12% to 24%, underscored by an increased need to eliminate feelings of injustice.
The pandemic has come home
The percentage of the workforce who knows someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 has doubled (27% to 46%); eight percent have tested positive; one in five (19%) know someone who died of COVID.
Extreme concern for health is up (+ 62%), as is concern about infection.
Mental health is eroding
Extreme concern for one’s own mental health has increased by 38 percent (13% to 18%).
Extreme concern about addiction has more than doubled by 140% (5% to 12%).
One in ten continues to be psychologically isolated or to have unmet caregiving needs.
Feeling “unsafe at home” has risen from 0.02% to 1.8% (+700%).
Employer support is backsliding
Finding it challenging to work under COVID has risen (67% to 73%) driven by very/extremely challenging (27% to 38%).
“Having the resources I need to do my job” has dropped (77% to 73%), as have weekly expectations from manager (69% to 66%), it’s my choice to work remotely (51% to 48%), and company demonstrates concern for wellbeing of workers (72% to 71%).
Understanding company’s plans for getting back to work is down sharply (79% to 71%).
A “moment of truth” for employers
Growing needs for social justice represent the biggest emotional shift; top needs are fulfillment of potential, inclusion, and safety.
Expecting work to fundamentally change has increased (35% to 44%).
Nearly half expect their bond with their employer to change, for the better (23% to 27%) or worse (12% to 18%).
Expectations that benefits will be expanded have nearly doubled (12% to 22%).
About Leading Indicator Systems
Leading Indicator Systems, a partner to human capital consultants and professionals for more than 20 years, provides assessment solutions designed to help move the needle on the things that matter most.
CONTACT: John Penrose, Chief Executive Officer
media.relations@leadingindicator.com
john.penrose@leadingindicator.com
1-781-676-0066 extension 107