Trusted Sources: How Some US Employers Used Government Information during the COVID-19 Pandemic-Trusted Sources: How Some US Employers Used Government Information during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Trusted Sources: How Some US Employers Used Government Information during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Pdf Summary

This qualitative study examined how 28 U.S. companies used government COVID-19 guidance to protect workers during the pandemic. Researchers interviewed employer representatives from multiple industries and National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) sectors, then thematically analyzed the transcripts.<br /><br />Key findings:<br />- Nearly all employers relied on the CDC as a primary information source, often supplemented by OSHA, state and local health departments, WHO, and professional or trade associations.<br />- Many employers also consulted experts or peer organizations to interpret rapidly changing guidance for their specific industry.<br />- Most companies modified official materials before sharing them with workers, often simplifying language, changing format, or turning scientific information into posters, handouts, emails, and internal web content.<br />- Employers found CDC materials useful because they were accessible and visually clear, but they frequently felt the guidance was not sufficiently tailored to their industry, geography, or workforce needs.<br />- Perceived workplace COVID-19 risk varied widely within and across sectors, making NORA sector categories a poor way to segment audiences for communication. Healthcare organizations generally perceived the highest risk.<br />- Trust in CDC was generally maintained or even increased among many employers, although some felt guidance changes were too fast, too vague, or too influenced by politics.<br /><br />The authors conclude that employers function as important “communication nodes” during public health emergencies. They recommend developing more industry-specific, customizable public health guidance and testing better ways to distribute CDC/NIOSH information through occupational networks before the next emergency.

Keywords

COVID-19 guidance

employer communication

CDC

workplace safety

public health emergency

occupational health

OSHA

risk perception

industry-specific guidance

qualitative study