Houston Business Barometer Week 8: More than Half of Surveyed Companies Say They've Brought Employees Back to the Workplace

Published May 27, 2020 by A.J. Mistretta

Nearly 42% of area companies say they have recalled some of their employees who had been working from home back to the workplace in recent weeks, according to the latest survey from the Greater Houston Partnership.

About 10% of those surveyed said they have recalled all of their employees to the worksite and another 36% say they have yet to recall employees who have been working from home.

Twenty-eight percent of the companies that responded to this week’s Houston Business Barometer survey said their firm’s short-term outlook was better this week than last week. About 60% say their outlook is about the same this week as last week while another 12% say their outlook is worse.

About 38% of respondents said their operations have been severely impacted by the pandemic, the same as last week. Another 39% report a moderate impact on their operations. Nearly 32% said their revenues have declined since their last billing cycle.

Approximately 30% of companies said they had partially or fully reopened their previously shuttered operations in recent weeks, while another 15% of respondents said they had not yet reopened. Fifty-five percent reported they never halted operations.

Just over 73% of respondents to this week’s survey say they did not furlough employees during the shutdown. More than 14 said they have recalled all or some of their furloughed employees and 13% said they have not yet recalled any furloughed employees.

Asked what elements of their business they might reassess in response to their COVID-19 experience, the top three answers among respondents this week were: telecommuting practices, technology needs and relationship with customers.

A total of 67 companies responded to the seventh Houston Business Barometer survey conducted by the Partnership between May 26 and 27.

See results from Week 7.

Get information and guidelines on reopening businesses safely from the Partnership's Houston Work Safe Program. Visit the Partnership's COVID-19 Resource page for updates, guidance for employers and more information.