The Impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic on Basic Work – BasiC

The Institute for Employment and Employability (IBE) at the University for Economics and Society Ludwigshafen has conducted a study on the topic of grassroots work in four selected industries as part of the BMBF framework programme ‘Understanding Society - Shaping the Future’ in the guideline for funding projects on the topic of ‘Social Impact of the Corona Pandemic - Research for Integration, Participation and Renewal’.
The aim of the project was to develop concepts and recommendations, taking into account key trends in the world of work and the implications of the coronavirus pandemic, in order to achieve good working conditions and increased appreciation in grassroots work in the long term. In the survey period from 7 February 2024 to 29 February 2024, full-time or part-time working people aged 18-65 from the healthcare, gardening and landscaping, household-related services, hotel and catering industries were surveyed in online interviews (CAWI). The respondents were selected using a quota sample from two online access panels (Meinungsplatz 279, Mingle 240) as well as distributors from the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region and interview partners from the qualitative study.<br>Impact of the pandemic on the company (scale); positive or negative impact on day-to-day business in the company; positive or negative impact on the work of basic workers in the company; changes resulting from the coronavirus pandemic that still apply today; current main requirements for basic workers; changes to the selected requirements as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; appreciation of basic workers in the company; assessment of the effectiveness of selected measures to increase appreciation of basic workers in the company; appreciation of basic workers in society; assessment of the effectiveness of selected measures to increase appreciation of basic workers in society; appreciation of basic workers in politics; assessment of the effectiveness of selected measures to increase appreciation of basic workers in politics; change in appreciation in companies, society and politics due to the corona pandemic; assessment of the support for basic workers in the company; assessment of the effectiveness of changes to individual aspects of working conditions to promote motivation and identification with the company; assessment of the effectiveness of changes to individual aspects of working conditions to promote health and well-being; assessment of the effectiveness of changes to individual aspects of working conditions to increase qualifications and skills; positive or negative changes due to the corona pandemic on the organisation of working conditions for basic workers in the company; assessment of external support for basic workers as sufficient; assessment of the effectiveness of individual measures to improve the support of basic workers at an external level; positive or negative changes due to the corona pandemic on the support of basic workers at an external level; expected effects of digitalisation in the area of basic work; digital tools most frequently used by basic workers; main opportunities of digitalisation for basic workers; risks of digitalisation for basic workers; changes in digitalisation with regard to basic work due to the coronavirus pandemic; shortage of skilled workers in the company; shortage of skilled workers in the area of basic work in the company; measures taken by the company to deal with the shortage of skilled workers; advantages of a ‘staff mix’ of skilled and unskilled workers; challenges of a ‘staff mix’ of skilled and unskilled workers.

Demography: Age (classified); sex; branch; function in the company; qualified professional qualification required for current position.

Additionally coded was: Date of interview; time of the beginning of the interview; duration of the interview.