29 April 2020
A special survey collects data that allows to picture changes the corona virus brings about in the balance of living and working in up to 110 countries, visualized in maps and infographics. The data provides answers to questions such as:
Do you have to work from home?
Is your work hampered by the corona crisis?
Has your workload increased/decreased?
Have you lost your job?
Also the question of (sufficient) protective measures at the workplace is addressed. First results show an enormous work impact: in the Netherlands for instance some 90% of respondents state that their work is affected. From other countries too high figures come in: at least 75%, but more often closer to 90%. One should keep in mind however that these figures are first indications and the number of observations they are based on are relatively few still.
As to the ‘living’-side of the equation, standard questions about the composition of the household are combined with questions regarding corona disease manifestations. Also the possible beneficial effect of a household-pet in times of crisis is brought up.
The data collected allows to trace the impact of the corona crisis in the world of work on a daily basis, not just in the Netherlands, but in principle in all countries where WageIndicator runs national websites – 140 by now. The corona-impact data focuses on income and the (ad hoc, temporary) working conditions of the professionally active population, regardless of type of contract. Cross-country comparison has been made possible by the online infrastructure and universal methodology systematically developed, standardized and applied by WageIndicator over the past two decades. Thanks to this accomplishment the data its anonymous respondents submit can be added to its databases and be accessible displayed globally and comparably. Hooking up to this infrastructure has greatly facilitated swift action: the special corona survey was designed and put online within a fortnight.
For a review of the national situations presented in daily updated infographics, please consult: wageindicator.org/salary/living-and-working-in-times-of-the-coronavirus/work-life-in-corona-times-graphs
Moreover WageIndicator tracks which are the (emergency) legal measures governments of corona-hit countries have been taking and will continue to take. These are collected and published under the headings: wage replacement program, sick leave benefit, parental/family leave, telework/short work time, unemployment benefit, employment protection and taxes – where applicable. The promulgated reforms/measures vary widely and are prone to intermediate change on a day-to-day basis, changes the WageIndicator team tries to keep track of and publish immediately.
For example: the self-employed in the Netherlands may apply for income subsidy up to the social minimum upon loss of income; employees hit by the corona virus, or in quarantaine, or denied entry to their normal places of work, are entitled to 6 weeks of paid leave; fines on late payment of income tax are practically wavered, because reduced to 0.01% of the late payment.
For other national situations see: paycheck.pk/career-tips/living-and-working-in-times-of-the-coronavirus/covid-19-labour-market-reforms
WageIndicator is a foundation. It aims to make wage and labour law information globally comparable and available for sharing through its websites. Since 2003 the international WageIndicator team has close ties with researchers linked through AIAS-HSI to the Amsterdam Law School.
Presently researchers Janna Besamusca and Rachel Rietveld are members of the Supervisory Board of WageIndicator: wageindicator.org/Wageindicatorfoundation/Partnersworldwide/internationalteam