While 44% of the Belgian employees surveyed currently work from home, 33% can no longer work at all. Among the latter, almost 2 out of 3 people are currently dependent on unemployment benefit. Over the last two weeks, support for both Belgian politicians and employers has also grown significantly, a new study with over 5200 Belgians shows.
Two weeks ago, StepStone released a first study on the then current situation for Belgian employees (12th of March). Today, the Belgian jobsite is unveiling its follow-up research and looking at the impact of some of the governmental measures, starting Friday 13th of March.
Nota Bene: This information was collected on 26th of March. As the study is a snapshot of thousands of Belgian employees’ current situation, this data is time sensitive and the situation may change.
Number of Belgian employees directly impacted by COVID-19 has almost doubled in two weeks
On Thursday, 12th of March, 51% of Belgian employees mentioned their daily work being influenced by COVID-19.
Two weeks later, this number has grown to 89% of Belgian employees who say they are being directly impacted by the virus in their daily work life.
Almost half of Belgian employees are working from home, while 1 in 3 cannot work anymore due to company closure
The way in which their usual work habit is being influenced, differs. We see three main situations which reflect the survey respondents and current Belgian professional climate:
- 44% of Belgian employees works from home now, due to their office having been shutdown
- 33% cannot work for the time being, due to their company being closed
- 23% still has to go to their usual workplace – not at home
2 in 3 are dependent on unemployment benefit; 1 in 4 of homeworkers are less productive
For homeworkers specifically, 25% mentioned being less productive at home (than in the office) and 16% experience more stress than usual. The main reasons for the increased stress level are
- the lack of social contact (for 57%)
- the feeling that they have to prove themselves to their manager (48%)
- working longer than usual (46%)
- having to keep an eye out for their children (43%)
For people who cannot work currently, 2 in 3 are dependent on unemployment benefit (65%). Other situations mentioned are employees using holidays to bridge the current closure period (9%) & freelancers or self-employed persons (9%), not currently being eligible for a financial compensation.
For people still going to their usual workplace, as well, 2 in 3 are (very) uncomfortable about going to work (65%). More than half of these employees (53%), however, think their employer is taking the right measures. One in four said the opposite, while 22% said they did not know.
Growing confidence and support for Belgian political measures & employers
Over the last two weeks, support for both Belgian politicians and employers has grown significantly. Here, StepStone is comparing its data from Thursday 12th of March (before the federal measures) with new data from Thursday 26th of March (after federal measures had taken place on Friday 13th of March).
For politicians, the support has more than doubled (from 36% of Belgians saying politicians make the right decisions to an impressive 74%).
For employers too, employees are increasingly positive. An impressive 80% (vs. 61% on 12th of March) now say their employer has taken the correct measures.
But also, a clear growing concern about spread and economic impact – decreasing concern about supply shortages
With the virus outbreak raging on in Belgium, there is a clear growing concern with people about the impact for both themselves and their employer. However, worries on potential shortages, like food, have decreased:
- 79% of Belgians are worried about getting infected (versus 64% two weeks ago)
- 68% is worried about the economic impact on their employer (versus 57% two weeks ago)
- 32% is worried about supply shortages (e.g. scarce food) (versus 43% two weeks ago)
Methodology
StepStone completed this survey on Thursday 26th of March 2020. Our analysists have screened the data to ensure both the representation and the validity of respondents’ answers are accurate.
In total, there were 5200 filled in surveys submitted in Dutch, French and English. The first data set (with another 3365 filled in surveys) was completed on Thursday 12th of March 2020.