Poll: 51% of Argentines fear that they might lose their job due to pandemic

A survey has found that 51 percent of Argentines fear they may lose their job if the coronavirus pandemic seriously affects their employer, while 64 percent foresee a negative impact on their job security due to the coronavirus crisis.

This poll, carried out by Workmonitor for the Randstad consulting firm analysed "expectations, moods and behaviour of workers in various countries." It quizzed workers from across the globe between May 7 and 22 on their feelings on the pandemic and its economic fallout.

The firm's research also exposed how rapidly organisations and employees have had to adapt to the new state of affairs. A total of 82 percent of those surveyed felt that they have now adapted to the new work scenario, while 59 percent of workers said they feel that the pandemic and accompanying quarantine lockdown had a negative impact on their job.

"With a complex horizon, in terms of the evolution of the economy, with a forecast of a drop in GDP of between five and six points for this year, it is logical that the public's mood would be affected,” said Andrea Ávila, CEO of Randstad for Argentina and Uruguay. "It shows concern about the impact that the crisis is going to have on the workplace in the short term."

Regarding measures taken by companies to care for their workers, 80 percent said they felt that their employer is attentive to the emotional care of their employees in the face of the Covid-19 crisis. Some 68 percent said they had held virtual team meetings to keep employees informed and aligned with their organisation.

Regarding teleworking, 85 percent of Argentines surveyed said they had the resources, technical requirements and digital skills for remote work, as imposed by compulsory social isolation. Sixty percent said their employer had invested in technology developments and digital tools to help workers adapt to the new work environment.

However, 58 percent warned that their employer expected them to be available outside of normal working hours, contributing to the feeling of burnout.

Ávila said that the rapid adoption of remote working had lead to a blurring of the line that "separates work and personal life," with some workers feeling that they were "never disconnected from work obligations."

"As organisations, we have to accompany our collaborators so that even in these adverse circumstances they can find a healthy balance" of the personal and professional, she concluded.

-TIMES/FORTUNA