Employment Effects of COVID-19

Almost half the population 15+ have had their employment situation affected

Since the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic, just under half of the population aged 15 years and over (47%) have seen their employment situation affected. Employment effects due to COVID-19 include: Loss of employment, Temporary layoff, Change in work hours, Remote working from home or Change to business model to online/takeaway etc. For the full list of effects of COVID-19 on employment please see Background Notes.

The age groups with the lowest affected employment are the age groups 15-24 years and 65 years and over. Employment impacts are most felt in the age group 35-44 years, where two-thirds report employment effects. Employment affected rates are highest in the Eastern and Midland region where 51% of persons aged 15 years and over reported employment effects, compared to 44% in the Northern and Western, and Southern regions. For the full list of effects of COVID-19 on employment, please see background notes. See Table 1 and Figure 2.

Of those employment affected, 14% have lost employment and 33% have been temporarily laid-off 

Of those 47% of persons aged 15 years and over whose employment situation has been affected, 14% have lost employment and 33% have been temporarily laid off due to the COVID-19 pandemic. More men (36%) than women (31%) have been temporarily laid off, with loss of employment at equal levels for males and females (both 14%). Younger persons have experienced the highest rates of loss of employment and temporary layoff, with 46% of 15-24 year olds being temporarily laid off and over a fifth (22%) experiencing loss of employment. The highest rates of these employment effects can be seen in the Southern region. See Table 2a.

Please note, respondents may have selected more than one of the options presented in tables 2a-2d. For this reason, percentages will not add to 100%.

Increase in remote working from home

Of those 47% of persons aged 15 years and over that indicated COVID-19 had an effect on their employment situation, a third (34%) started working from home, while 12% have increased their hours working from home. 11% of persons aged 15 years and over whose employment situation was affected were unable to work as their business was unable to offer remote working as an option. 20% were unable to work remotely as their work was not suitable for this format.  The age group 35-44 years is the age group who most used remote working as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Eastern & Midland region, at 39% of persons aged 15 years and over, had the most people using remote working as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic (with the Southern and Northern & Western regions each around 30%). See Table 2b and Figure 3.

More taking of unpaid leave than paid leave

Of those 47% that indicated the COVID-19 pandemic had an effect on their employment situation, 4% had to take paid leave. Almost double this figure (7%) had to take unpaid leave. Higher rates of unpaid leave verses paid leave are reflected throughout both genders, all age groups and regions. Higher rates of males have had to take leave (either paid or unpaid) than that of the female population. The highest rates of leave (either paid or unpaid) are seen in the 55-64 age group. See table 2c and Figure 4.

Of those that indicated that the COVID-19 pandemic had an effect on their employment situation, 23% of persons aged 15 years and over have had a change in their work hours, while only 5% have changed their business model to online or takeaway. The most change in work hours is experienced by those aged 65 and over, while changes to their business model to online or takeaway is mostly experienced by the 45-54 age group. See table 2d.

Very high numbers expect to return to the same job following the lifting of restrictions

94% of the population aged 15 years and over whose employment situation was affected by COVID-19 in that they lost their employment, were temporarily laid off, are on paid leave or unpaid leave expect to return to the same job after the lifting of restrictions. A small percentage, 5% do not expect to return to the same job. In general, older people are more confident of returning to their same job, but all age groups report high levels here. See Table 3.

Life Effects of COVID-19

Over a fifth of 35-44 year olds report difficulties in working from home with their family around

In this section, we examine and present findings on the life effects experienced by the population aged 15 years and over which have arisen due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These life effects encompass a broad range of life experiences from feeling of loneliness, to money worries, to fears around shopping in person.

Note, respondents may have selected more than one of the answer options presented within tables 4a-4d. For this reason percentages will not add to 100%.

There are more people working from home now, and this can bring challenges. Over a fifth (22%) of the age group 35-44 years experience difficulties in working from home with their family around, with difficulties declining as the age groups get older from the 35-44 age group. No paid work is the lowest concern for the older age group (65+) as only 5% of this age group are affected. These difficulties are most pronounced for younger age groups which are most affected by the unavailability of paid work, with over a fifth (21%) of this age group experiencing this particular life effect. A higher percentage of males have been affected by no paid work than females, while a higher percentage of females find it more difficult to work from home with family around than men. There is little regional variation in the life effects being experienced by persons aged 15 years and over regarding the availability of paid work and the difficulties in working from home with family around. See Table 4a and Figure 5.

More females than males are fearful of going shopping and are feeling more lonely

Females are experiencing loneliness and fear to go shopping more than men, with 27% of females feeling lonely (compared to 20% of men) and almost a third (32%) of females saying they are afraid to go shopping (compared to a 20% of men). Men exhibit marginally more money worries than females (18% to 17%). See Table 4b.

The oldest age group (persons aged 65 years and over) are experiencing the most loneliness (30%) and fears around shopping (41%). The youngest age group (15-24 years) report the second highest feelings of loneliness at 27%. This age group report the least fears around shopping. See Table 4b.

Low levels of the population report financial difficulties as a result of COVID-19

In the population aged 15 years and over, low levels of the population report financial difficulties as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, with 3% of the population aged 15 years and over reporting that they are unable to pay bills, 5% deferring bills and 2% reporting rent or mortgage payment difficulties. The age groups from 35-44 to 55-64 years all report the highest rates for the deferring of bills and rent and mortgage payment difficulties. See Table 4c.

Almost a fifth of the population now caring for someone as a result of COVID-19

18% of the population (aged 15 and over) are caring for a dependent family member or friend because of the COVID-19 pandemic. More females (21%) than men (15%) are caring for a dependent family member or friend, with persons in the 45-54 age group reporting the highest rates for caring (31%) as a result of COVID-19. See Table 4d and Figure 6.

The measures introduced as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic include more staying at home and less face to face family visits. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in almost 60% of the population aged 15 years and over having increased contact with family via telephone, Skype, Face Time etc. This life effect of the COVID-19 pandemic is the one reported by the population aged 15 years and over as the highest life effect experienced  The rates of this effect increase with age, with two-thirds of the population aged 65 years and over experiencing this increased family contact via telephone and internet, as compared to just under half of 15-24 year olds. See Table 4d.

Almost half (46%) of the population have increased positive family time. The lowest rates of increased positive family time are experienced by the 65+ age group. See Table 4d.

With schools closed, childcare issues can be a significant life effect arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. Almost a quarter (24%) of persons aged 35-44 reported experiencing childcare issues, with more females than men experiencing this life effect. See Table 4d.