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Responding to a pandemic

ContentsForeword

Scope and methodology

Summary of quantitative results

Frontiers’ response

Communication and awareness

Business continuity

Wellbeing & working from home

Returning to the office after lockdown

Open comments from staff

03

05

06

07

12

16

21

27

29

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Foreword

COVID-19 has posed an unprecedented and ever-changing challenge to

the international scientific community. Much like the rest of the world,

Frontiers was also forced into operating from home and the challenges

posed by a sudden global lockdown was new and uncharted territory.

The health and well-being of our 600 employees in

offices across Switzerland, the UK, Spain, China, India, and the

USA, was our number 1 priority. From having to support COVID-

19 cases to experiencing uncertainty and anxiety, lack of

testing capacity, caring for children and dealing with isolation, we had

to pull together and support each other through this new reality.

We have been truly inspired with the way the Frontiers community has

mobilized to work together. Our employee survey was conducted to

ensure we are supporting our team members, both personally and

professionally, to the very best of our ability during this exceptional time.

90%agree Frontiers is supporting its

employees

during the pandemic.

88%are confident in Frontiers’

ability to navigate through the

pandemic.

89%believe Frontiers is taking

the right steps to minimize

business disruption.

91%strongly agree

the Frontiers team is

staying connected.

Kamila MarkramCEO and co-founder,

Frontiers

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Summary of Frontiers’ actions

Ahead of national

mandates, Frontiers asked all their staff to

work at home from 16

March 2020. Those in Beijing had already been

working at home from 3 February 2020.

A weekly

zoominar was set up for all staff, chaired by

CEO Kamila Markram,

covering the latest COVID-19 updates,

company news and developments and a

live Q&A session.

Flexible working

was introduced on a 'what works for you, works for

us' basis, as well as

virtual team-bonding activities, including choir

practice, yoga, quiz nights, cocktail hours and

coffee mornings.

Dedicated intranet

pages were created with all relevant

information and work

policy updates.

An internal

taskforce was created to check-in with

employees and to offer

practical assistance, from delivering groceries

to dropping off home office equipment.

Frontiers launched the

external Coronavirus Knowledge Hub,

collating the latest

COVID-19 related research and expert

opinion from the research community.

Article Processing

Charges were waived for research submitted

in response to the

COVID-19 pandemic until 1 August 2020.

A priority peer-review

process for COVID-19research was set up to

ensure time-sensitive

scientific developments became openly available

as soon as possible.

Survey design

In April 2020, Frontiers surveyed its staff to better understand their ability to

care for their employees in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the time of this survey, the pandemic response was ongoing, therefore, the

results are limited by the date indicated below. The survey was open to all staff for

one week. Responses were voluntary and anonymous. The only identifiers were

department, office location, and role (managerial, independent operator).

This report only describes the survey results. It does not offer any evaluation of

Frontiers’ performance and is designed to be removed and independent of the

business to maintain impartiality.

Date: 8th – 15th April 2020

Total sample size: 341

Response rate: 63%

The survey was conducted

in English using Qualtrics.

16 quantitative questions:

• On a scale of 1-10, how much would

you agree with the following

statements?

Two multiple choice questions:

• Select the response that applies

Two qualitative questions:

• Open responses

Survey information Questionnaire design

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Summary of quantitative results

9.09

9.15

9.56

8.63

8.77

8.67

8.99

8.89

8.53

8.99

8.75

9.18

8.87

9.06

8.85

9.08

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

I know where to raise concerns or queries I have in relation to the COVID-19 Pandemic

We are staying connected as a team/colleagues during the COVID-19 Pandemic

I know what I need to do to keep safe and healthy during the COVID-19 Pandemic

My manager is regularly checking in with how I am doing (not just work related)

I have the f lexibility in my work schedule to enable me to look after family/dependents should I need to

I have what I need (i.e tools, space set-up, internet connection) to effectively work remote

I believe Front iers is adequately prepared for its employees to work remotely

I believe Front iers is taking appropriate steps to minimize disruption to our business during this time

I am confident in Front iers ability to support our customers throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic

I know where to find Frontiers most up-to-date COVID-19 Pandemic policy

There is open and honest two-way communicat ion at Frontiers in relation to the COVID-19 Pandemic

We are receiving timely communications from Frontiers about the COVID-19 Pandemic

I believe the leaders at Frontiers have made effective decisions regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic

The leaders at Frontiers are appropriately visible/accessible during the COVID-19 Pandemic

I have confidence in Frontiers ability to navigate through the COVID-19 Pandemic

Frontiers is supporting employees during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Communication and awareness

Frontiers' response

Business continuity

Wellbeing while working from home

Throughout the quantitative element of the survey,

respondents were asked to return a score on a

scale between one and 10, one indicating they

strongly disagree, 10 indicating they strongly

agree.

Summary of quantitative survey results. These

results have been broken down into four distinct

categories, each of which was designed to provide

insight into specific areas of Frontiers’ response.

Average scores by category are as follows:

Frontiers’ response: 8.96

Communication and awareness: 8.97

Business continuity: 8.81

Wellbeing while working from home: 9.04

Total survey average 8.95

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Frontiers' response

8

90%agree that

Frontiers is supporting

its employees during the pandemic

0.5% 0.0% 0.3% 1.1%2.2%

5.6%

16.4%

22.0%

51.9%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1strongly disagree

10strongly agree

Q1Frontiers is supporting

employees during

the COVID-19 Pandemic

9

88%are confident in Frontiers’ ability to

navigate through the pandemic

0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.5%1.9% 2.2%

6.7%

21.0%

24.7%

42.2%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1strongly disagree

10strongly agree

Q2I have confidence in

Frontiers’ ability to

navigate through the

COVID-19 Pandemic

10

90%scored Frontiers

between 8 and 10

0.3% 0.5% 0.0% 0.0% 0.8%3.0%

5.9%

11.8%

29.6%

48.1%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1strongly disagree

10strongly agree

Q3The leaders at Frontiers

are appropriately

visible / accessible

during the COVID-19

Pandemic

11

87%agree Frontiers’ leaders

have made effective decisions

0.3% 0.3% 0.0% 0.5%1.9%

4.0%

6.5%

17.2%

26.3%

43.0%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1strongly disagree

10strongly agree

Q4I believe the leaders at

Frontiers have made

effective decisions

regarding the COVID-19

Pandemic

12

Communication and awareness

13

93%more than nine in 10 agree

they're receiving timely

communications

0.8% 0.0% 0.0% 0.3% 0.3%1.6%

3.8%

14.0%

26.1%

53.2%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1strongly disagree

10strongly agree

Q5We are receiving timely

communications from

Frontiers about the

COVID-19 Pandemic

14

0.8% 0.0% 0.0% 0.3% 0.3%1.6%

3.8%

14.0%

26.1%

53.2%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

86%agree there is open and honest communication

at Frontiers1

strongly disagree

10strongly agree

Q6There is open and

honest two-way

communication at

Frontiers concerning the

COVID-19 Pandemic

15

0.8% 0.0% 0.0% 0.3% 0.3%1.6%

3.8%

14.0%

26.1%

53.2%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

87%agree they know

where to find the most

up to date policy1

strongly disagree

10strongly agree

Q7I know where to find

Frontiers most up-to-date

COVID-19 Pandemic

policy

16

Business continuity

17

78%scored Frontiers

between 8 and 10

0.6% 0.8% 0.6% 0.8%1.7%

4.8%

13.0%

20.0% 20.0%

37.7%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1strongly disagree

10strongly agree

Q8I am confident in Frontiers

ability to support our

customers throughout

the COVID-19 Pandemic

18

89%believe Frontiers is takingthe right steps to minimize

business disruption

0.6% 0.0% 0.6% 0.3%1.4% 2.0%

6.2%

22.5%21.4%

45.1%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1strongly disagree

10strongly agree

Q9I believe Frontiers is taking

appropriate steps to

minimize disruption to our

business during this time

19

0.3% 0.6% 0.3% 0.6% 1.1% 1.7%

8.2%

12.7%

25.9%

48.7%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

87%scored Frontiers

between 8 and 101

strongly disagree

10strongly agree

Q10I believe Frontiers is

adequately prepared for

its employees to work

remotely

20

79%scored Frontiers

between 8 and 10

0.3% 0.3%1.4% 1.1%

2.0%

5.7%

10.0%

14.6%

19.7%

44.9%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1strongly disagree

10strongly agree

Q11I have what I need

(i.e. tools, space set-up,

internet connection) to

effectively work remote

21

Wellbeing while working from home

22

81%scored Frontiers

between 8 and 10

0.6%1.7%

0.0% 0.3%

4.9%2.9%

8.4%

11.0%

19.1%

51.2%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1strongly disagree

10strongly agree

Q12I have the flexibility in

my work schedule to

enable me to look after

family / dependents

should I need to

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78%scored Frontiers

between 8 and 10

0.3%1.4% 1.1% 0.3%

4.3% 4.6%

9.7%

14.0%

16.3%

48.0%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1strongly disagree

10strongly agree

Q13My manager is

regularly checking in

with how I am doing

(not just work-related)

24

97%scored Frontiers

between 8 and 10

0.3% 0.0%2.3%

7.4%

20.6%

69.4%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

5 6 7 8 9 10

1strongly disagree

10strongly agree

Q14I know what I need to

do to keep safe and

healthy during the

COVID-19 Pandemic

25

91%strongly agree the Frontiers team is staying connected

0.3%1.4% 1.1% 0.3%

4.3% 4.6%

9.7%

14.0%

16.3%

48.0%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1strongly disagree

10strongly agree

Q15We are staying

connected as a team/

colleagues during the

COVID-19 Pandemic

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89%scored Frontiers

between 8 and 10

0.3% 0.0% 0.3% 1.1% 0.9% 1.7%

6.6%

13.4%

21.4%

54.3%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1strongly disagree

10strongly agree

Q16I know where to raise

concerns or queries I

have concerning the

COVID-19 Pandemic

27

Returning to the office after lockdown

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0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400

76%prefer to work

from home

Q17Where do you

prefer to work?

76%

13%

11%

I prefer to stay working

from home

I prefer working

at the office

I am indifferent to

my working location

29

43%expressed concerns about their commute or returning

to the office too soon

Q18What are your main

concerns about

coming back into

the workplace?

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

My commute

Going back into

the office too soon

Having in-person

interactions with others

Public health regulations not being

followed

Availability of disinfecting materials

or personal protective equipment

Re-adjustment to

office life

Other

Childcare / caring

for family members

I don’t have any

concerns

19.4%

10.5%

3.0%

4.5%

6.5%

23.8%

5.9%

13.4%

13.0%

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Open comments

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126responses

Q19What is one thing

Frontiers could do right

now to better support you

during the COVID-19

Pandemic?

51%Positive

appraisal of Frontiers’

response

65Responses

9%Looking to

the Future

11Responses

35%Working life

and support during

pandemic

44Responses

5%Lessons learned

along the way

6Responses

Thank you for the webcasts and overall support - it's a

great boost mentally and makes me happy to be part of a business that takes care of its employees' wellbeing.

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128responses

Q20Any other comments you

would like to share with

the leadership team?

66%Positive

appraisal of Frontiers’

response

84Responses

16%Looking to

the Future

21Responses

12%Working life

and support during

pandemic

15Responses

6%Lessons learned

along the way

7Responses

The weekly phone calls have been immensely informative

and positive, and there's a real sense of team spirit. I couldn't be more proud to work for Frontiers.

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Participant information

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Participant information

54.3%

33.7%

8.8%

1.8% 1.5%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Lausanne London Madrid Beijing Seattle

66.3%

22.6%

10.9%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Publishing Technology Communications,Business &

Administration

Office location Department Role

71.0%

29.0%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Individual contributor Manager

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We are in this together