New Study: 81% of HR Professionals Say They Have Not Reduced Base Pay During the Pandemic

MindEdge/HRCI study finds that prolonged pandemic has also produced a high level of stress and burnout

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Oct 28, 2020, 09:00 ET

BOSTON, Oct. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- As the COVID-19 pandemic has battered the American economy, most firms have avoided cuts in workers' base pay and benefits, according to a national survey of HR professionals conducted by MindEdge Learning and the HR Certification Institute (HRCI).

The overwhelming majority of survey respondents say that their companies have kept workers' pay and benefits intact during the crisis:

81% have not reduced base compensation, and
89% have not reduced or eliminated benefits.

The results of HR in the Age of Workplace Uncertainty, an online survey of 757 HR professionals, also show that workplace stress and burnout have increased sharply during the pandemic.

"The pandemic has understandably put a great deal of pressure on the U.S. workforce," said Frank Connolly, director of research at MindEdge Learning. "The survey shows that while stress levels are up, companies are trying hard to maintain base pay, and many are adding benefits that will help combat stress."

Results indicate that 75% of respondents experienced an increase in employee burnout due to stress related to COVID-19. Slightly more than half (53%) report that their companies have introduced new benefits to help employees deal with stress, or plan to do so in the near future.

HR goes remote

Eighty-four percent of survey respondents are currently working remotely, and two-of-three companies (68%) are now conducting most HR operations remotely. A clear majority (58%) say their companies' remote-work programs were a direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nine-out of-ten (88%) respondents say their companies are still hiring during the pandemic, though many (43%) are hiring at a lower rate than before. Overwhelmingly, respondents say that current applicant pools are better qualified compared to pre-pandemic candidates. Nearly three-quarters of respondents (73%) say that there are more qualified individuals in their area looking for work than before COVID-19 – in large part because high unemployment means there are more experienced workers in the applicant pool.

A substantial number of HR professionals express reservations about having to recruit and onboard applicants remotely:

35% say that remote recruiting is harder than in-person recruiting, and only 18% say that it is easier
38% say that remote onboarding is harder than in-person onboarding, and only 9% say that it is easier
25% say that remote interviews are less productive than in-person interviews, and only 14% say that they are more productive

"HR executives are tasked with creating a seamless remote work experience for their employees," said Dr. Amy Dufrane, SPHR, CAE, CEO of HRCI. "Recruiting from an available applicant pool has expanded due to unemployment and the physical barriers have been removed due to more flexible remote working company policies. Likewise, hiring and remote onboarding processes have become more impersonal than before. As a result, it is more important now for professionals to invest in individual learning and certification to increase their marketability to potential future employers."

A lack of training

While remote work has rapidly become the "new normal" during the pandemic, most companies have not actively prepared their employees to work from home. A majority of HR professionals (57%) say their companies do not provide training on how to work remotely.

Most companies, however, have managed to maintain a full range of employee benefits during the pandemic. Fully 88% of respondents say that their companies did not eliminate or reduce any employee benefits because of COVID-19.

Among those benefits that were curtailed, 401K matching was the most likely to have been reduced or eliminated – but only 8% of respondents report that their companies did so.

Stress and burnout are up, while company culture has mostly remained the same

Seventy-five percent of respondents have noticed a modest or major increase in employee burnout due to stress from COVID-19. A majority of respondents (53%) say their companies plan to offer their workers benefits to help them cope with stress – including 39% who say their companies have already introduced workplace benefits to reduce stress. Just under half (47%) say their companies do not plan to introduce these benefits.

Despite the rise in stress, 42% of HR professionals say their company culture has remained the same. A quarter (25%) say that company culture has grown weaker, while a similar proportion (23%) say that it has improved.

ABOUT THE METHODOLOGY
MindEdge/HRCI's national study, HR in the Age of Workplace Uncertainty, was conducted online between September 15 and October 2, 2020. The sample included 757 experienced HR professionals who hold a certificate from HRCI above the level of the aPHR^® credential. The survey results have a margin of error of +/- 3.6%, at a 95% confidence level.

ABOUT MINDEDGE
MindEdge's mission is to improve the way the world learns. Since its founding in 1988 by Harvard and MIT educators, the company has served some 2.5 million learners. With a focus on digital-first learning resources — from academic courseware to professional development courses — MindEdge's approach to best practices in online education focuses on learners' needs across the spectrum of higher education, professional development, skills training, and continuing education. MindEdge is based in Waltham, Mass.

ABOUT HRCI®
HRCI, headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, is the premier credentialing and learning organization for the human resources profession. For over 45 years, we have set the global standard for HR expertise and excellence through our commitment to the development and advancement of businesspeople in the people business. HRCI develops and offers world-class learning, as well as the administration of eight global certifications and is dedicated to helping professionals achieve new competencies that drive business results. Learn more at www.hrci.org.

Contact:
Danielle Laurion
Inkhouse for MindEdge
[email protected]

SOURCE MindEdge