Employees are mostly satisfied with employers’ communications around the coronavirus crisis, according to a new survey by Fierce Inc.
The survey polled more than 1,000 people last week, prior to the World Health Organization declaring the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. It found nearly 70 per cent felt their employer was very or somewhat clearly communicating its response, while almost one in 10 said their employers hadn’t communicated at all.
The most helpful communications tactic, according to survey respondents, would be a company-wide meeting where they could ask questions, followed by an email addressing where they could send questions and receive a quick response.
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The most common employer response to addressing employee concerns was providing extra cleaning supplies, but less than 40 per cent of employees said their organizations were doing so. One-third (36 per cent) of respondents said their employers are providing daily updates and 28 per cent said they are offering training on reducing the spread of germs.
Almost a quarter of respondents said their organization was unprepared for a remote working situation, while just over half said they feel their company was prepared for one.
“There is no doubt that it is a tough time for many organizations and their employees, but we are all in this together,” said Stacey Engle, president of Fierce Conversations, in a press release. “It is critical that company leaders step up and continue to find ways that support their employees now and in the future through more flexibility and the tools to communicate effectively no matter what life throws at them.”
Read: Coronavirus pandemic means ‘new normal’ for employers, employees