Regional Employer Survey

The Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) in conjunction with area management districts conducted a Regional Employer Survey from December 7, 2020 through January 6, 2021 with 237 employers participating from the 13-County H-GAC region. The survey was conducted to gather data on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on local businesses and their employees. The survey also gathered information from businesses on the future of office space and employee telework policies/programs.

Approximately 80% of businesses surveyed reported less than 250 employees at the worksite.

Most of the survey responders work in an office environment and only 8% are in retail, restaurant, and recreational business. 

49% of the businesses that were surveyed are in urban areas, 47% in suburban, and 5% in rural areas.

Rural refers to businesses in Austin, Colorado, Matagorda, Walker, and Wharton County. Suburban refers to businesses outside beltway 8 but within the 8-County H-GAC MPO region. Urban refers to businesses inside the beltway 8.

16% of the businesses surveyed are currently operating at less than 50%. This includes business in mining, manufacturing, construction, retail, restaurant, recreation, and related industries.

37% of respondents had their worksite shut down or reduced on-site operations at some point after the pandemic hit the region but are currently operating at 100%.

18% of the businesses surveyed remained open with all employees working on site since the coronavirus pandemic began.

33% of the survey responders involved in manufacturing, mining, and construction business are still operating at less than 50%. Around 40% of the respondents working in public administration, education, health care, and professional management are currently operating at 100%.

Most employers plan to implement a formal telework program and encourage employees to telework

While only 19% of responders had a formal telework program or policy before the coronavirus pandemic, but since the pandemic 38% have a formal telework program. Future telework plans do vary by industry sector and organization size.

Only 18% of the employees of the surveyed employers worked remotely before the pandemic, but 48% are expected to work remotely during 2021. Out of the 48% employees who plan to work remotely during 2021, 18% are expected to work from home five days a week.

Most of mid-to-large size employers (250 plus employees) expect to have more employees teleworking in 2021 compared to pre-pandemic times.

Most of the responders expect their workforce will work remotely in 2021, except for those involved in retail, restaurant, and recreational business, which would need employee’s presence at worksite.

Approximately 66% of the surveyed worksites considered or discussed implementing flexible/compressed work schedules or other safety recommendations during 2021.

Most employers do not plan short-term changes in the office footprint

While most businesses (62%) are not planning to expand or reduce their office footprint in the short-terms, plans vary by industry sector, organization size, and location.

Approximately 30% of the surveyed public administration, professional management, real estate, and related businesses anticipate need for more office space over the next two years.

31% of the surveyed manufacturing, mining, and construction related businesses expect to reduce the office space in the next two years.

Of the large employers (1000+) who responded, 31% say they plan to reduce their office footprint.

Suburban and rural businesses anticipate increasing their office foot print relatively more compared to the urban businesses in the next two years.

Most of the responders do not anticipate decentralizing or consolidating office space in the next two years.

Most of the responders anticipate their workers will drive alone to work if not teleworking when business reopens.

The 2020 Employer COVID Survey was conducted by the Houston-Galveston Area Council in partnership with area management districts and transportation partners. Surveys were distributed by H-GAC and our partners via email. Two hundred thirty-seven worksites responded to the survey. Survey participants were instructed to answer for their worksite only and not include multiple sites as part of their organization. The data from this survey will be used by H-GAC to help guide future planning and programs in transportation, small business, land use, workforce development, and more. We hope that this data is also helpful to developers, management districts, transportation providers, local governments, and others as we seek to meet the needs of our growing, diverse region during the pandemic and beyond.

If you have questions or would like more information about the survey please contact H-GAC’s Commute Solutions team at  commutesolutions@h-gac.com .

For Additional H-GAC information related to COVID-19, click here ( https://www.h-gac.com/covid-19 )

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