U.S. BUSINESS RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC — 2021
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, 14.5 percent of private-sector establishments (1.2 million, with 20.5 percent of all private-sector employment) increased base wages, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Establishments in Accommodation and Food Services, Retail Trade, Health Care and Social Assistance, and Manufacturing increased base wages at a higher rate than average.
Data in this release are from the 2021 Business Response Survey (BRS) to the Coronavirus Pandemic. BRS data were collected from private-sector establishments from July 27, 2021 through September 30, 2021. Topics covered include telework, workplace flexibilities, changes in pay, COVID-19 workplace requirements, establishment space size, relocation, supplementing workforce, automation, drug and alcohol testing, and COVID-19 loans or grants. Detailed tables by industry, state, and employment size are available at www.bls.gov/brs.
Changes in Pay • Hazard pay or an hourly bonus were temporarily offered by 5.5 percent of establishments (471,000, with 15.7 percent of all private-sector employment). • One-time, special monetary bonuses for working during the pandemic were paid by 9.4 percent of establishments (809,000, with 23.7 percent of all private-sector employment).
Changes in Telework • As a result of the pandemic, 34.5 percent of establishments increased telework for some or all of their employees. • Among establishments that increased telework during the pandemic, 60.2 percent expect to keep the increases permanent when the pandemic is over.
COVID-19 Vaccinations at Establishments • COVID-19 vaccinations were required for some or all employees before coming to work on-site at 17.5 percent of establishments.
• A larger share of establishments, 28 percent, offered some or all employees a financial incentive or paid time off, or permitted employees to remain on the clock to get a COVID-19 vaccination.
Flexible or Staggered Work Hours • As a result of the pandemic, 24.6 percent of establishments (2.1 million, with 33.9 percent of all private-sector employment) started to offer flexible or staggered work hours to employees.
