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The new state of the American worker—today’s key workplace challenges

by | Sep 8, 2020 | Public Relations

New research from Logica Research, in collaboration with InnovateMR and Women in Research, provides current insights into Americans’ financial, emotional and working lives during the continued impact of COVID-19, as well as employment trends, job satisfaction, and the gender dividethat is emerging as the pandemic continues.

“It is vital for brands right now to keep up with the rapidly changing needs, attitudes and perceptions of their customers and employees,” said Lilah Raynor, CEO of Logica Research, in a news release. “We launched this study to help shed light on these needs, attitudes and perceptions of American workers to help brands deepen customer engagement.”

The new state of the American worker—today’s key workplace challenges

The study, new study, The State of the American Worker, from June 2020 uncovered some key insights on how workers are being affected by COVID-19:

One quarter of Americans were furloughed (16 percent) or laid off (9 percent), and almost half (46 percent) are working less

Sixty-seven percent are satisfied with their employer, with 23% experiencing increased satisfaction with their employer during COVID-19, while 14% report decreased satisfaction.

Lower-income workers (household income <$75,000/year) report less confidence in the future, with only 13 percent feeling very optimistic, and those in this group have been laid off or furloughed to a greater degree (33 percent) than those with household income levels above $75,000 (17 percent).

The new state of the American worker—today’s key workplace challenges

Forty-four percent of Americans report that COVID-19 has impacted their work

Twenty-nine percent have had to reduce work hours to care for children. A gender divide is emerging as well. For example, those who have both school-aged children and a partner report that women (55 percent) are primarily responsible for helping with school activities, versus 24 percent of men.

The new state of the American worker—today’s key workplace challenges

Women report a higher emotional toll from COVID-19

Women are more likely to feel overwhelmed (39 percent for women; 26 percent for men), have trouble sleeping (35 percent women; 26 percent men), overeat (33 percent for women; 26 percent men) and have difficulty focusing (31 percent women; 22 percent men).

The new state of the American worker—today’s key workplace challenges

These results build on the ongoing Logica Future of Moneystudies, proprietary research that tracks the future of money and the future of work to inform product and service development in the financial industry.

The new state of the American worker—today’s key workplace challenges

The American Worker Study 2020 was conducted by Logica Research in partnership with InnovateMR sample and fielding. The study was conducted online from May 20th to June 2nd, 2020, among 1,000 American workers 25-65 years old, who are working or were laid off or furloughed due to COVID-19. The study excludes frontline workers. This study was conducted in collaboration with some of Women in Research’s WIRexec program members: Lisa Wilding-Brown of InnovateMR, Brin Moore of Trusted Talent, Katrina Noelle of KNow Research, and Heidi Dickert, Consultant. This study was conducted in parallel with a study of the Women in Research community.

Richard Carufel
Richard Carufel is editor of Bulldog Reporter and the Daily ’Dog, one of the web’s leading sources of PR and marketing communications news and opinions. He has been reporting on the PR and communications industry for over 17 years, and has interviewed hundreds of journalists and PR industry leaders. Reach him at richard.carufel@bulldogreporter.com; @BulldogReporter

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