A majority of respondents to a survey from FTI Consulting said they are more attuned to how companies are behaving during the global COVID-19 pandemic.
FTI Consulting conducted the survey among a nationally representative sample of American adults between March 25-30. The survey was designed to understand a range of attitudes and behaviors related to personal finances, economic expectations and the response from businesses and governments across the country.
The study found Americans are closely watching how companies are managing and responding to COVID-19 implications:
- 83% are paying more attention than usual to “leaders/CEOs stepping up to help those in need,” (46% said they are paying “much more attention than usual”)
- 86% said they are paying more attention than usual to “how companies care for their employees’ safety and well-being,” (47% said they are paying “much more attention than usual”)
- 78% are paying more attention than usual to “how companies are paying or retaining their employees,” (40% said they are paying “much more attention than usual”)
- 82% are paying more attention than usual to “how companies treat their customers,” (45% said they are paying “much more attention than usual”)
- 71% are paying more attention than usual to “how and where companies source their products and supply chains,” (35% said they are paying “much more attention than usual”)
_x000D_
_x000D_
_x000D_
_x000D_
_x000D_
“The data from our survey clearly indicates that Americans are closely watching the actions of corporate leaders,” Brent McGoldrick, a senior managing director within the strategic communications segment at FTI Consulting, said. “In this highly scrutinized environment, it is critical management teams demonstrate leadership and humanity, and most important, do right by their employees, customers and communities alike.”
The survey also found that Americans have increased their activity on social media and are sharing both positive and negative stories of business leaders during this crisis.
- 50% of social media users have “significantly increased” their social media activity
- 30% of social media users have “posted about a business/ leader going above and beyond”
- 8% of social media users have “posted about a business/ leader not doing the right thing”
_x000D_
_x000D_
_x000D_
These findings confirm Americans’ heightened attention to companies’ behavior during this crisis. With the opportunity for a simple post to crumble a company’s reputation, companies must proactively communicate the actions they are taking to protect employees, customers and partners,” Brian Kennedy, head of the Americas for the FTI Consulting’s strategic communications segment, said. “Companies who are honest and transparent with stakeholders during this time will be rewarded.”
Among the survey’s other key findings:
Americans are very concerned about their personal health and their personal finances.
- 76% are concerned about their personal health (39% are very concerned).
- 75% are concerned about their personal finances (42% are very concerned).
_x000D_
_x000D_
Some new behaviors are likely to last even after the immediate crisis passes.
- 65% said they are likely to cook at home more frequently (36% said they are very likely).
- 64% said they are likely to regularly deep clean their home (31% said they are very likely).
- 51% said they are likely to use telehealth services such as consulting doctors via video (20% said they are very likely).
_x000D_
_x000D_
_x000D_
For the most part, employees rate fairly highly the job their employers are doing communicating with them.
- 71% rated their employers “excellent or good” on showing “concern for your health and safety.”
- 67% rated their employers “excellent or good” on communications related to the “future of the company you work for.”
- 65% rated their employers “excellent or good” on communications related to “health benefits available to you.”
- The lowest ratings came on communications related to “potential furloughs or staff reductions.” On this front, 51% rated their employers “excellent or good,” while 37% rated their employers “fair or poor.”
_x000D_
_x000D_
_x000D_
_x000D_
FTI Consulting is a global business advisory firm.
