Psychosocial and Behavioral Responses and SARS-CoV-2 Transmission Prevention Behaviors while Working during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background The impact of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) on psychosocial and behavioral responses of the non-healthcare workforce is unknown. This study investigated these outcomes in this population during the pandemic while also evaluating transmission prevention behavior implementation at the workplace. Methods We deployed the baseline questionnaire of a prospective online survey from November 2020-February 2021 to U.S.-based employees. The survey included questions on psychosocial and behavioral responses in addition to transmission prevention behaviors (e.g., mask wear). Select questions asked employees to report perceptions and behaviors 'before' and 'during' the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were analyzed descriptively and stratified by work from home (WFH) percentage. Results In total, 3,607 employees completed the survey from eight companies. Most participants (70.0%) averaged >=90% of their time WFH during the pandemic. Employees reported increases in stress (54.0%), anxiety (57.4%), fatigue (51.6%), and feeling unsafe (50.4%) from before to during the pandemic, while feeling a lack of companionship (60.5%) and isolation from others (69.3%). Productivity was perceived to decrease, and non-work screen time and alcohol consumption to increase, for 43.0%, 50.7%, and 25.1% of employees, respectively, from before to during the pandemic. Adverse changes were worse among those with lower WFH percentages. Most employees reported wearing a mask (98.2%), washing hands regularly (95.7%), and physically distancing (93.6%) when at workplace. Conclusion Results suggested worsened psychosocial and behavioral outcomes from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic and higher transmission prevention behavior implementation among non-healthcare employees. Observations provide novel insight into how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted non-healthcare employees.