Insights

How Are Businesses Really Treating Employees During COVID-19?

Glassdoor Team

Glassdoor Team | Author & Career Expert at Glassdoor | 6 Apr 2020

Glassdoor’s mission is to help people everywhere find a job and a company that they love. There is a huge spotlight on companies right now regarding how they are tackling the COVID-19 pandemic and how they are supporting their employees during this time. With that in mind, we’ve analysed all reviews left by employees on Glassdoor in the UK since the COVID-19 outbreak began to see what’s really happening behind the scenes. Of the positives, there are some shining examples of how companies are going above and beyond to support their employees, such as:

Companies putting the safety and wellbeing of employees first
Effective communication and transparency from senior leadership
Creating a feeling of job security

Example reviews: “The way [the business] has handled the challenges brought about by the current coronavirus pandemic has been nothing short of impressive and has really driven home to me how the company does put the safety and wellbeing of employees first.” - Employee, Glasgow “I've seen us adapt with relative ease to our new situation and our sense of community has been stronger than ever - whether it's constant comms from our senior leadership offering flexibility and understanding, or the multiple Slack channels about what we had for breakfast, pictures with kids or daily workout routines. What should be an extremely tough time for us has been made easier by reassurance from the top along with a real community spirit across everyone here.” - Resourcing Partner, Manchester “In difficult and uncertain times related to coronavirus, the company has made myself (and I'm sure the wider company) feel very safe and at ease throughout the whole period of time. [the company] has never given me a reason to feel uncertain about my position at the company, financials or the company's future.” - Senior Production Manager, London “Communication has been outstanding from the top down - daily updates, very forthcoming with information! Proud to work for a company that cares so much about its employees! Hard times for all, but makes it so much easier knowing your employer cares.” - Employee, Manchester “In the present climate (coronavirus), the company is making special efforts to ensure that everyone is coping well, not just with working from home but with the impact that social isolation can have on physical and mental health.” - Administrative Employee, Worcester On the flip side, negative reviews from employees criticise elements including:

Companies being unwilling to let people work remotely
Poor planning and business continuity plans
Losing their job as a result of COVID-19

Example reviews: “With coronavirus, the company has been slow to have a contingency plan in place, which has caused a lot of frustration and stress within the teams.” - Customer Service Employee, Crawley “Risking everyone’s lives by keeping everyone in the office, even those who are suspected to have coronavirus.” - Employee, Abingdon “We have been told we must prove we have coronavirus before we can self isolate.” - Employee, Stoke-on-Trent “Poor planning has put people's health at risk. Coronavirus has been an upcoming issue for weeks now and [the business] had plenty of time to plan for it. … IT wise, they don't have the ability for people to work from home and so for a while at least people will have to go to the office and put their health at risk.” - Customer Service Employee, Manchester “Senior management refused to tell staff who came into contact with people who tested positive for the coronavirus.” - Project Manager, Oxford While no-one knows how long the COVID-19 pandemic will last, what’s clear is that how businesses act and treat their employees during these times will be remembered for a long time to come. Leave a Review! If your company deserves a shout-out for its great response to coronavirus (or, conversely, if you don’t feel that it’s responded in the best way), leave a review on Glassdoor for future job seekers to read.

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Glassdoor Team

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How Are Businesses Really Treating Employees During COVID-19?

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