How has the pandemic changed us? 

Today marks two years since COVID-19 was officially announced a pandemic, and we are beginning to realize it is going to have a long-term impact on our lives, and particularly our work. 

93% of employees agree the pandemic has forever changed the way we work, according to a survey of 1,000 US workers by Qualtrics.  

Most notable, relationships have benefitted from the pandemic – even the relationship with our pets. 95% of remote workers found their pets are happier, 40% of employees say their family life is better than two years ago, and 89% of remote workers with kids say their children are happier. 

Employees are also better off when it comes to work, ranking flexible schedules, fully remote work, then hybrid work as the most favorable changes. 69% of employees say they have been more productive during the pandemic. 

Although employee’s mental health is split 31% better off versus 31% worse off since the pandemic, workers are seeing an increase in work-life balance (43%), job satisfaction (39%), career progress (36%), finances (38%), and overall happiness (41%) during COVID-19. 

What do employees want to change?

US employees are becoming exhausted of the countless pandemic-related words, noting ‘the new normal,’ ‘quarantine,’ and ‘burnout’ as the top three words they are most eager to be erased, according to Qualtrics.   

The top three things employees want to lose after the pandemic is over are mask and vaccine requirements, and social distancing. 

As needs and priorities have shifted, US employees are more willing to seek new jobs to fulfill their desires. The top reasons being they want more flexible schedules, more growth opportunities, to work remotely, as well as higher pay.  

Benjamin Granger, head of employee experience advisory services at Qualtrics, said, “It’s clear that the past two years have brought lasting change to work-life for American employees.

“As we enter a new phased of COVID-19, where measures like remote work and social distances may become optional, it’s time for us to take stock of what we’ve learned so we can be intentional about what changes from the pandemic are worth keeping and which should be discarded.”  

“It’s critical that leaders don’t forget how flexibility and new ways of working have made life better for employees.”