The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 14.5% of private-sector establishments increased base wages as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Establishments in accommodation and food services, retail trade, healthcare and social assistance, and manufacturing increased base wages at a higher rate than average.

The report’s data came from the “2021 Business Response Survey to the Coronavirus Pandemic” and the survey data was collected from private-sector establishments from July 27, 2021, through Sept. 30, 2021.

Several topics including telework, workplace flexibilities, changes in pay, Covid-19 workplace requirements, establishment space size, relocation, supplementing workforce, automation, drug and alcohol testing, and Covid-19 loans or grants were covered.

The data highlighted the following changes:

• Hazard pay or an hourly bonus were temporarily offered by 5.5% of establishments, 471,000, with 15.7% of all private-sector employment.

• One-time, special monetary bonuses for working during the pandemic were paid by 9.4% of establishments, 809,000.

• As a result of the pandemic, 34.5% of establishments increased telework for some or all of their employees.

• Among establishments that increased telework during the pandemic, 60.2% expect to keep the increases permanent when the pandemic is over.

• Covid-19 vaccinations were required for some or all employees before coming to work on-site at 17.5% of establishments. 

• A larger share of establishments, 28%, offered some or all employees a financial incentive or paid time off, or permitted employees to remain on the clock to get a Covid-19 vaccination.

• As a result of the pandemic, 24.6% of establishments started to offer flexible or staggered work hours to employees.