Compilation of the latest surveys pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic 

Coronavirus returns as most pressing concern

Coronavirus once again takes the lead as the top concern across the globe, according to a tracking study by Ipsos. Thirty-two percent on average say that COVID-19 is one of the biggest issues facing their country today (+4 vs. last month) – making it once again the world’s No. 1 worry. The largest month-on-month increases in concern about COVID-19 are seen in Germany (+23 points), the Netherlands (+19) and Belgium (+16). While COVID-19 was a top concern for a majority of the year – beginning in January 2021 at 50% – this worry fell behind unemployment and poverty and social inequality in October and November, where COVID-19 was instead tied with financial/political scandals. In December 2021, poverty and social inequality was the second top issue of the month at 32%, followed by unemployment (28%), financial/political scandal (28%) and crime and violence (27%). 

The study was conducted by Ipsos and polled 20,000 adults from January 2021–December 2021. Learn more. 

Pandemic exacerbated credit card debt

The pandemic has taxed our lives in a variety of ways – mentally, physically, and of course financially. According to a study by Bankrate, 42% of American credit card users have added to the amount they owe since March 2020. Forty-seven percent cited the pandemic as the cause for their growing debt, with Millennials most likely to report the virus as the reason for their debt surge. Broadly, Americans have paid down debt and saved more over the past two years, but not in an evenly distributed way. More than half of U.S. adults (54%) carry credit card debt, and of those 38% have been in debt for less than a year, 50% for a year or longer, 32% for two years or longer, and 14% for five years or longer. Americans earning a middle income ($40,000-$79,000) are the most likely to carry credit card debt, and Millennials and Gen Z are the most likely to have added to that debt since the pandemic began. 

The survey was conducted by Bankrate and polled 2,400 U.S. adults in September 2021. Learn more. 

Employees look forward to return to workplace

It’s been a long two years of flexible – and sometimes uncertain – work, and many employees are ready to ditch virtual meetings and return to the office. According to a OnePoll survey, 87% of workers are looking forward to returning to the office. At the time of the survey on December 13, 2021, 14% of respondents had already returned to a physical workplace, while 48% expected to return in the new year and 21% couldn’t see themselves going back to an office anytime soon. 

Those excited to return to a physical workplace look forward to catching up with their coworkers and meeting new ones (60%), attending in-person meetings (48%), sitting and working at their desks again (48%) and wearing business attire or their job uniforms (47%). Others are craving a return to going out to lunch (46%), eating cafeteria food (41%) and commuting (40%) again. 

Despite the excitement to return, two-thirds (66%) of respondents said the thought of making small talk with coworkers they haven’t seen physically in a while gives them anxiety. Sixty percent of respondents even admitted they wish they could permanently work from home to avoid social awkwardness. Not everyone is looking to return to the same workplace, however – seven in 10 of all those polled felt optimistic they’d get a better job in 2022 (68%), while a similar percentage of workers felt confident they would get a raise or promotion at their current employer in the new year (67%).

The study was conducted by OnePoll and polled 803 U.S. workers on December 13, 2021. Learn more. 

Health care facilities look to temporary professionals

While many industries have experienced a strain on the workplace, health care employees have undergone a particular kind of ordeal through the COVID-19 pandemic. A survey by AMN Healthcare indicates that 75% of hospitals and other health care facilities are currently seeking temporary allied health care professionals. The primary reason, cited by 73% of facilities surveyed, is to fill gaps while permanent workers are being sought.

Seventy-one percent of facilities surveyed said a major benefit of temporary health care staff is preventing burnout among existing employees. Due to COVID-19 and other factors, burnout and turnover among health care workers has escalated in recent months. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 589,000 health care workers quit their jobs in September 2021, representing a 35% voluntary attrition rate, a new record. It follows then, that 53% of facilities reported temporary staff as being either moderately or extremely involved in treating COVID-19 patients. 

The survey was conducted by AMN Healthcare and polled 159 hospitals and other health care facilities in August and September 2021.