Summary of COVID-19 Downtown Business Survey
photo by Kia Davis
Return to Office Survey
Downtown Providence has been severely impacted by COVID-19, as tourism and conventions came to an abrupt stop, offices emptied out, and performance venues closed to protect public health. As we plan for the recovery of downtown Providence and the future of our city, The Providence Foundation conducted an online survey of employers.
A total of 37 respondents completed the survey between April 7 and April 23, 2021.
COVID19 has significantly impacted the businesses that responded.
Anywhere from 0 to 100%, and a median of 75%, of employees are currently working remotely due to COVID19.
38% of respondents have seen a significant decrease in revenue. 22% laid off employees permanently and 19% laid off employees temporarily. 19% of respondents hired more employees.
Respondents reported differences in impact between business locations, tremendous variability from day to day, and dramatic changes in both workflow and public-facing interactions.
COVID19 has changed the way many respondents are thinking about their offices and how employees work.
Respondents expect 50% of employees to return to the office by June 30, 78% by September 30, and 95% by December 31.
62% will implement or offer a hybrid model with some days in the office and some days working from home. 11% will require employees to work at the office full time. Zero respondents will offer employees a fully remote workplace option. 16% say it will be role dependent.
Some respondents are considering changes to their office locations and layouts as a result of COVID19. 27% may need less space, 27% may need to shift the layout within their existing offices to better meet public health suggestions, and 8% are considering relocating. 41% are not considering any changes.
Some respondents have offered or plan to offer employees COVID19 related benefits.
41% offer paid time off for vaccination appointments, 30% upgraded technology, 19% upgraded facilities, and 19% onsite COVID19 testing. 38% are not planning to offer COVID19 related benefits.
68% of respondents will actively encourage and 24% will require returning employees to be vaccinated (with applicable exceptions).
Expectations diverge around business travel.
For 19%, business travel never stopped or has already restarted. 27% expect their company’s travel to resume in the second half of 2021 and 24% expect it to resume in 2022.
30% of respondents expect business travel to return to pre-COVID19 levels, 27% expect only business critical trips to return, 22% expect it to return at 50% less than pre-COVID levels, and 22% don’t know.
Additional findings
A few respondents noted the dramatic negative impact of COVID19 to downtown Providence, with lack of activity and public safety concerns.
Several respondents noted the paradoxical impacts of COVID19. Virtual meetings have enhanced attendance and productivity, and the crisis presented opportunities to innovate and improve. But remote working has made administrative tasks more complicated and made it more challenging to sustain organizational culture and team morale.
73% of respondents have an office location in downtown Providence.
Industries represented included nonprofit (22%), real estate (19%), consulting (14%), art/design (11%), construction (8%), and finance or insurance (8%), as well as education, media, law, government, and consumer products.