Losing sleep over your career worries?

A new piece of research confirms you’re not alone.

In fact, 66% of employees are worried about the impact of Covid-19 on their job and their ability to find a job in the future, while over 70% of employees impacted by Covid-19 are not confident that the changes to their job will be ever be reversed.

That’s according to a survey conducted by recruitment platform, Jobs.ie among employees across 40 different industries.

The findings were stark; Covid-19 has already impacted over 80% of people’s jobs.

Of those whose jobs have been impacted, 45% have been let go on a temporary basis with a further 16% saying that they have been let go permanently. Others have experienced reduced working hours, pay reductions, company closures, redundancies or have moved to a working-from-home situation.

According to the survey, Covid-19 has affected people’s jobs at all experience levels too; 82% of those who are in their current role for less than a year, 86% of those who have been in their role for between one and three years, and 80% of those who have been working in their current job for more than three years.

Looking to the future 

Over 70% of employees who have been impacted by Covid-19 said they are not confident that the changes to their job will be reversed by their employer in the future.

Of those, 33% say they have no confidence in the changes being reversed and a further 38% saying they do not know if they will be.

“This potentially suggests a breakdown in communications between employers and employees.” says Christopher Paye, General Manager at Jobs.ie.

“It is important that employers maintain open channels of communication with their employees, providing them with regularised updates on what each phase will mean for the business. In the current circumstances, clear communication and consistent contact by employers is vital to allay uncertainty and anxiety.”

Industry Breakdown

The research reveals those working in hotels (11%), retail (9%) and travel and tourism (6%) have been most affected by Covid-19.

Those within the hotel industry have been most affected by temporary job losses, with 66% of employees in this sector experiencing some level of change. A further 16% in the hotel industry say they were let go permanently.

Amongst those within the tourism and travel sector, 47% of those who have been impacted by Covid-19 say they have been let go on a temporary basis. A further 33% say they were let go permanently. For those who have impacted in the retail sector, 41% say that they have been let go temporarily, with 15% saying they have lost their job permanently.

There are, however, some green shoots appearing. This week the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection reported a reduction of 5,200 on the number of people who received the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP).

Amongst the recipients are 35,600 people who have now informed the Department that they are returning to work, 33,400 of these people will be receiving their last payment this week.

“Recruitment is down but not out.” says Mr Paye.

“It is true certain sectors, such as tourism and hospitality, have borne the brunt of the lockdown while others, particularly food retail, logistics and healthcare have continued to recruit.

“As we enter the summer months the steady reopening of the economy will bring fresh opportunities. On Jobs.ie we are already seeing an increase in job posting activity as employers begin to plan for leaving lockdown.”