Corporate response to the new coronavirus: Survey

It's interesting to see how companies are responding to the spread of the new coronavirus. Mercer Japan Ltd., an HR consulting firm, conducted a survey from February 27 to March 4 to find out how companies are responding to the new coronavirus.

Staggered working hours, telework

In terms of the current status of company initiatives, 84% of respondents answered that they allow or encourage staggered working hours, and 69% answered that they allow or encourage telecommuting and telework, indicating that they are responding flexibly.

With regard to telecommuting and telework, 82% of the companies or some departments implement it. On the other hand, 18% of companies have not implemented the system because they do not have the infrastructure in place (78%), the related rules and regulations (66%), and the business characteristics are not suitable for telecommuting (62%).

Cancellation or postponement of the event

“Cancellation or postponement of less urgent domestic and international business trips" at 91%, "Cancellation or postponement of group internal training" at 71%, "Cancellation or postponement of workplace get-togethers" at 59%, "Cancellation or postponement of recruitment-related events" at 39%, and "Cancellation of new graduates and mid-career induction ceremonies" at 10%.

Go online

Switching to online meetings (52% of internal meetings and 39% of external meetings) and switching to online training (27%) are also progressing.

Impact on companies

The most common concern among companies was a slowdown in business meetings due to the cancellation or postponement of business trips, at 57%, and a decrease in sales due to stagnant domestic and international economic activity and a mood of self-restraint, at 50%.

Summary of points

In terms of company-wide communication, the company has generally taken the necessary measures to prevent the spread of infection, such as suspending or postponing unnecessary or urgent business trips and switching to telework. On the other hand, most companies were cautious about the impact of business and the review of business plans for April and beyond, and compared to media reports with a relatively strong pessimistic tone, there was a relatively calm response on the corporate frontlines.

At the same time, there were some companies that did not have sufficient measures in place to prevent the spread of infection, highlighting differences in crisis management, business and IT infrastructure, and leadership in individual companies.

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