Maintaining Engagement in Lockdown webisode: Survey results

While nobody would choose to go through this crisis, it has become an accelerator for one of the biggest workplace transformations in our lifetime.

Ahead of our Maintaining Engagement in Lockdown webisode, which takes place tomorrow (Friday, 15 May) at 2pm, we conducted a survey to gain valuable insights into how these unprecedented times have altered our working lives.

From Microsoft Teams and WebEx to Zoom and FaceTime – the way we connect with others, whether that’s friends and family or colleagues and clients, changed overnight.

All communication outside our own households is now being exclusively delivered virtually.

Our survey results showed that, prior to the lockdown, 70.27% of respondents were attending between one and five face-to-face meetings each week, with 24.32% reporting more than five.

Just 5.41% of respondents said they attended no meetings each week.

The commute was something you either loved or hated.

In the summer, it possibly meant a nice walk in the morning, but in winter, it often meant navigating icy conditions.

Before those who could were encouraged to work from home, 63.89% of our respondents travelled to work by car, 22.22% used public transport with the remaining 11.11% and 2.78% choosing to walk or take another mode of transportation respectively.

One positive to come out of the lockdown has been that workers have significantly reduced the amount of time they spend commuting daily.

The 10.8% of our respondents who said they travelled more than 30 miles to and from work each day are probably enjoying now only having to go downstairs to their new working stations!

Internal communication and good technology has never been as important as it is now to keep collaboration active and employee morale up.

It was encouraging to see that more than 91% of respondents said they have been kept well informed throughout the pandemic.

More than 97% also said they have access to the resources and technology they need to be able to do their jobs well – ensuring that service levels are maintained regardless of office location.

With time spent commuting now being drastically reduced – as well as less time spent travelling to meetings – a collective 59.45% of respondents said they now feel that they have more free time since working from home.

In fact, 2.7% of people said they feel as if they have a lot more spare time.

We asked respondents if there are any new routines they have adopted during the lockdown that they would like to continue once everything returns to normal. Some of the answers included:

• I am hoping to be able to spend more time with my kids by working more flexibly.
• A daily hour-long walk at lunchtime is now the highlight of my day. I’d like to keep this routine, even when I go back to the office.
• More online meetings – use this as a lesson to reduce my carbon footprint and reduce travelling.
• Flexibility around the working day. It doesn’t necessarily need to be 9-5.
• Picking up the phone more often.
• Exercising at whatever point in the day – fit it in around meetings.
• Yoga – three times a week!

When it comes to what our respondents have learnt from the experience, there was a reoccurring theme – that people are able to adapt much more easily and quicker than they ever imagined.

And, of course, people have also realised the benefits of virtual meetings for reducing travel time and also helping the planet by reducing their carbon footprint.

And finally, we asked people how they would describe their working from home experience – with the majority (56.75%) stating that they have learnt a lot and it will positively change how they work in the future.

40.54% said they have adapted but are keen to get back into the office, with the remaining 2.7% unfortunately facing difficulty on a day to day basis.

Our Maintaining Engagement in Lockdown webisode will look at how this new normal way of working has had to evolve to keep employees engaged and ensure productivity is maintained, while also reassuring clients and stakeholders.

Speakers include:

• Elizabeth Hardwick-Smith – Director of HR and training at Pick Everard
• Jon Enever – Perfect Circle chair and chief client officer at Gleeds
• Darren Crocker – Framework manager at Gleeds
• Richard Whitehead – Perfect Circle senior management board representative and managing director Building + Places at AECOM
• Krish Raichura – Category lead for consultancy at Scape Group

It is part of the new and virtual CC Live series, hosted by Cartwright Communications. The series of webcasts or ‘webisodes’ have been designed to help everyone stay connected. They are short, snappy and informative broadcasts, professional produced and presented by a former TV presenter.

Each episode features conversations with industry leaders from a variety of sectors – followed by a live Q&A session – as everyone works through the coronavirus pandemic and beyond.