While the COVID pandemic had many negative effects, there was some positive that came out of it – even for our pets!

According to a recent survey by Qualtrics, 93% of employees agree the pandemic has forever changed the way they work.  But in an interesting twist, many say they are better off than they were two years ago.

• Work-life balance — 43% are better off vs. 18% worse off
• Job satisfaction — 39% are better off vs. 20% worse off
• Career progress — 36% are better off vs. 17% worse off
• Finances — 38% are better off vs. 27% worse off
• Overall happiness — 41% are better off vs. 24% worse off

Relationships

Relationships also saw benefits – including those with our pets.

• 40% of employees say their family life is better off than it was two years ago vs.19% who say their family life is worse off.
• 68% of employees have grown closer to family members over the past two years.
• 89% of remote workers with kids say their kids are happier when they are working from home.
• 95% of remote workers with pets say their pets are happier when they are working from home.
• 48% of employees have grown closer to coworkers vs. 31% who have grown more distant.

Workplace Trends – The Good and the Bad

Most employees agree that positive outcomes of the pandemic include flexible schedules, fully remote work, and hybrid work. 54% of employees say they are more effective working from home.

On the flip side, there are some things employees would rather forget.  The survey asked what words employees would like to erase from the new work vocabulary developed during the pandemic. The winners are:

1. The new normal
2. Quarantine
3. Burnout
4. Social distance
5. The Great Resignation
6. Remote work
7. Virtual happy hour
8. "You’re on mute"
9. Essential worker
10. Unprecedented times

One thing we know for sure – the workplace has drastically changed, and most will never go back to “normal.” Workers have experienced flexibility and will now go wherever they have to in order to maintain it.

The top reasons employees gave for seeking a new job were:

1. They wanted a more flexible schedule (16%)
2. They wanted more growth opportunities (14%)
3. They wanted to work remotely (5%)
4. Higher pay (5%)

To avoid being a victim of the great resignation, employers should pay attention to what their employees – and their pets – want.

Source: Qualtrics