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Key Findings from COVID-19 Survey for Employees

The Austin Young Chamber conducted a COVID-19 Survey for Employees to learn more about the financial and health concerns among our demographic of primarily young professionals as they relate to the current pandemic. In just one week from March 20 – 27, we had 433 respondents. Their responses were then shared with the University of Texas RGK Center to be analyzed. The below information included key findings and information that can be used to inform future program and funding needs across government and business.

Point in Time Reference
It is important to note that at the start of this survey, the stay at home ordinance for Austin/Travis County and Williamson County was not yet in effect, but was later issued on March 24. Additionally, the Families First Act was passed on March 19 and the CARES Act was passed on March 27. We acknowledge that changes are happening quickly in our community on both the side of employee needs and funding opportunities for businesses and individuals.

Key Findings

Click on pie chart segments to view additional info.


48% of respondents are currently looking for additional ways to earn income

69% of respondents are worried about paying their bills in 90 days or less (by June)

61% of respondents do not currently feel comfortable going to the doctor for non COVID-19 health needs


Are you currently looking for additional ways to earn income?


Are you worried about paying your bills in 90 days or less?


Do you currently feel comfortable going to the doctor for other medical needs?

Notable Highlights


Respondent Background:

  • 81% of respondents are in the 18-40 age range
  • 38 Industries are represented, with top industries in Non-Profit, Technology, and Hospitality
  • 26% of respondents are entry level workers
  • 74 Austin area zip codes represented

zipCode-heatmap2

Age Range

Industry

Role

Employment

73%
of respondents feel like they have job security for 90 days or less

Of these respondents, the top three vulnerable industries are Non-Profit, Technology and Marketing.

81%
of respondents felt like their employer was doing all that they can to support safety and well being while working

70%
of respondents reported being able to work from home

48%
of respondents are currently looking for additional ways to earn income


Health

61%
of respondents do not currently feel comfortable going to the doctor for non COVID-19 health needs

53%
of respondents feel they could access COVID-19 related health services if needed

88%
of respondents feel like they are adequately able to connect with friends and family during this time

73%
of respondents feel like they have access to mental health services if they need them


Finances

69%
of respondents are worried about paying bills in 90 days or less

Of these respondents, the top three vulnerable industries are Hospitality/Travel, Non-Profit, and Restaurant/Food Service.

Of these respondents, the top three bills they are concerned about paying are Rent/Mortgage, Credit Card, and Student Loans.


Notable Themes from Open Ended Comments

  • Concern and anxiety over job security (both personal security and for their employees/coworkers), covering basic needs, being able to stay afloat, and ramifications of the economic impact caused by the pandemic
  • Concern over the time requirement for living in-state to qualify for unemployment benefits. *

Vulnerabilities


Job Security

30-35
year olds

represent the largest group worried about job security in 90 days or less

Managers

represent the largest group worried about job security in 90 days or less

Non-Profit
workers

represent the largest group worried about job security in 90 days or less


Paying Bills

30-35
year olds

represent the largest group worried about paying bills in 90 days or less

Most worried about paying for
Rent/Mortgage
Everyday Needs
Student Loans
Taxes

Entry Level
workers

represent the largest group worried about paying bills in 90 days or less

Most worried about paying for
Rent/Mortgage
Student Loans
Car Payment
Childcare

Hospitality/Travel & Non-Profit
workers

represent the largest groups worried about paying bills in 90 days or less

Hospitality/Travel workers are most worried about paying for
Rent/Mortgage
Student Loans
Car Payment
Childcare

Non-Profit workers are most worried about paying for
Rent/Mortgage
Student Loans
Credit Cards
Taxes

Any information contained within this report that is shared with an external audience should be attributed to the Austin Young Chamber. For specific information requests related to the Austin Young Chamber COVID-19 Survey for Employees, please contact info@austinyoungchamber.org.

About the Austin Young Chamber
Millennials are the Largest Generation in the U.S. Labor Workforce. The Austin Young Chamber focuses on equipping our members with the resources, skills, and experiences they need to be successful business and community leaders, both today and in the future. Members of the Austin Young Chamber are generally between the ages of 21 and 40. We welcome Corporate members who employ a young professional workforce as well as individual young professionals. Visit austinyc.org to learn more.


Methodology Notes

*According to the Texas Workforce Commission

Job Security: Assumption made that selection of the larger window means the shorter windows are also true, meaning if someone selected “90,” they’re also confident in their job security for the next 30 days and next 60.

Paying Bills: Assumption made that selection of the shorter window also applies to longer ones — if someone is worrying about their ability to pay the bills in the next 30 days, they’ll also be worried about the next 60 days, next 90 days, etc.


View the survey here.