Harris Poll COVID-19 Tracker Wave 119

In The Harris Poll Tracker (Week 119) fielded from June 3rd to 5th, 2022 among 1,994 U.S. adults, we found that over two-thirds of Americans (69%) believe the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic is behind us. For this week’s update, we’re covering the latest research on: how men think they’re healthier than they are in partnership with Orlando Health, how inflation and the stock market are prompting changes to retirement plans with Age Wave and Edward Jones, how a two week notice is an important courtesy if one would want to be hired back with Express Employment Professionals, and how employees are still hesitant to share their mental health concerns at their workplace with Fast Company. 

Check out our America This Week: From The Harris Poll podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts for data-driven discussions between our CEO John Gerzema and CSO Libby Rodney. They’ll be covering the latest trends in society, the economy, and the consumer marketplace.

As a public service, our team has curated key insights to help leaders navigate COVID-19. Full survey results, tables, and weekly summaries can be accessed for free at The Harris Poll COVID-19 Portal. We will continue to actively field on a regular cadence to track the shifts in sentiment and behaviors as the news and guidelines evolve.

Men Think They’re Healthier Than They Are, Don’t Need Checkups: Orlando Health-Harris Poll

Men, it is said, don’t ask for directions, and our new survey with Orlando Health, covered in HealthDay, finds that many American men also believe they’re healthier than other men and don’t bother with annual checkups.

• Two-thirds (65%) of men view themselves as healthier than others and one-third (33%) don’t bother with annual checkups.
• (38%) of respondents often get health advice from social media, which can be risky if they’re not using reputable sources, says Dr. Thomas Kelley, a family medicine specialist at Orlando Health Physician Associates.
• Notably, nearly 2 in 5 men (38%) admitted to focusing on their pet’s health more than their own.

Takeaway: “Men tend to put their health last after their family, and apparently even after their dog or their cat,” says Dr. Kelley. “But in order to take care of others in your life, you first have to take care of yourself, and that includes making that yearly appointment with your primary care doctor.”

Inflation & Stock Market Volatility Prompts Most Retirees To Alter Finances: Age Wave-Edward Jones-Harris Poll

According to our latest survey with Age Wave and Edward Jones, as covered in The Wall Street Journal, twenty-nine years is the ideal length of retirement. However, many retirees are now concerned that inflation and market volatility is impacting their ability to achieve that timeline.

• The majority (63%) of retirees say they will have to now make some financial course corrections, with only (37%) of retirees describing their finances as fully on track. 
• (41%) of retirees surveyed say they often worry about outliving their money, especially with the current stock-market volatility affecting the balances of their 401(k)s, individual retirement accounts, and other retirement plans.
• So what are they doing? The most commonly reported actions are downsizing their home and/or moving to a less-expensive location, as well as cutting back on financial support to family members. 

Takeaway: With companies still experiencing labor shortages and retirees worried about affording their retirement, it may be an apt time for employers to utilize retirees as more than half (59%) say that their ideal retirement involves work in some form, from cycling in and out of work (19%) to working part-time (22%) or full-time (18%).

Skipping The Two Week Notice May Impact Chance of Being Rehired: Express Employment Professionals-Harris Poll

While it may be a workers’ market, employees should be cautious about how they leave their previous roles. In partnership with Express Employment Professionals, we found the majority of Americans believe that companies would never rehire someone who didn’t provide a two weeks notice upon leaving. 

• While (61%) believe that providing advance notice is merely a courtesy as opposed to a requirement (39%), over half (53%) believe companies wouldn’t rehire someone without it.
• Only (55%) of adults gave their former employers two weeks’ notice, while another (18%) did not, and the proportion that didn’t increased for Gen Z (23%) and Millennials (22%).
• Four in five (80%) think that employees who do not provide adequate time for transition are viewed negatively by the company, and (77%) worry the company would provide a bad recommendation. 

Takeaway: While three-quarters believe that there are times when it’s appropriate to quit a job without notice, employees should be cautious about the potential ramifications of a hasty exit.

Employees Are Still Afraid To Discuss Mental Health At Work: Fast Company-Harris Poll

According to our latest survey with Fast Company, most working adults say mental health awareness is important. But employers may not be doing enough.

• Context: A CEO Roundtable-Harris Poll found that three-quarters (76%) of employees have struggled with a mental health issue, and 4 in 10 (42%) reported a mental health disorder diagnosis.
• (86%) of employees say mental health awareness at work is important to them, but (77%) believe workplace mental health isn’t talked about enough.
• While (81%) of working adults believe that employers have an obligation to prioritize their employees’ mental health, only (30%) say that their employer provides access to mental health services. 
• Mental health impacts performance: (47%) of employees said their job had negatively impacted their mental health, while (43%) said that their mental health negatively impacted their job performance.

Takeaway: “Talking about mental health in the workplace is important, but it is no substitute for taking action,” said Will Johnson, CEO of the Harris Poll. “[That] is where employers are likely falling short of expectations.” And falling short could be costly as the WHO estimates that anxiety and depression alone costs the global economy $1 trillion per year in lost productivity.