Skip to main content
  • Personal
  • Business
  • Foundation
    Close
    • Global
    • India
    • MENA
  • mySHRM Login
  • MySHRM
    • Dashboard
    • Account
    • Logout
SHRM
  • Membership
    • Membership

      As a SHRM Member®, you’ll pave the path of your success with invaluable resources, world-class educational opportunities and premier events.

      Membership Tiers
      • Professional
      • Student
      • Global
      • Executive
      • Enterprise
      Membership Benefits
  • Learning
    • SHRM Certification

      Demonstrate your ability to apply HR principles to real-life situations.

      • Choosing Your Certification
      • SHRM-CP
      • SHRM-SCP
      • How to Get Certified
      • Prepare for the Exam
      • Recertification
      Educational Programs

      Designed and delivered by HR experts to empower you with the knowledge and tools you need to drive lasting change in the workplace.

      • Essentials of HR
      • eLearning
      Specialty Credentials

      Demonstrate targeted competence and enhance your HR credibility.

      Qualifications

      Gain a deeper understanding and develop critical skills.

      Seminars

      Stand out from among your HR peers with the skills obtained from a SHRM Seminar.

  • Events
    • Events

      Demonstrate your ability to apply HR principles to real-life situations.

      • SHRM26 Annual Conference
      • BLUEPRINT 2025
      • Talent Conference & Expo
      • Linkage Institute
      • The AI+HI Project 2026
      State Conferences

      Attend a SHRM state event to network with other HR professionals and learn more about the future of work.

      Seminars

      Stand out from among your HR peers with the skills obtained from a SHRM Seminar.

      Webinars
  • Resources
    • Resources

      Stay up to date with news and leverage our vast library of resources.

      • Flagships
      • HR Research
      • Legal & Compliance
      • Latest News & Trends
      • Tools & Guides
      • Webinars
      HR Topics
      • AI in the Workplace
      • Civility at Work
      • Compensation & Benefits
      • Inclusion & Diversity
      • Talent Acquisition
      • HR Technology
      • Workplace Violence Prevention
      Educational Programs

      Designed and delivered by HR experts to empower you with the knowledge and tools you need to drive lasting change in the workplace.

  • Community
    • Find a SHRM Chapter

      Easily find a local professional or student chapter in your area.

      • SHRM Northern California
      SHRM Connect

      Post polls, get crowdsourced answers to your questions and network with other HR professionals online.

      Membership Councils

      Learn about SHRM's five regional councils and the Membership Advisory Council (MAC).

      Volunteers

      Learn about volunteer opportunities with SHRM.

  • Shop
    • SHRM Store

      Shop for HR certifications, credentials, learning, events, merchandise and more.

      Workplace Essentials
      • SHRM Memberships
      • SHRM Certification
      • Specialty Credentials
      • HR Tools & Tech
      Education
      • Seminars
      • eLearning
      • Books
      Merchandise
      • Accessories
      • Apparel
      • Office & Home
Become a Member
Renew
Rejoin Now
Renew
Book a Speaker
Close
  • Personal
  • Business
  • Foundation
  • Membership
    back
    Membership
    • Membership

      As a SHRM Member®, you’ll pave the path of your success with invaluable resources, world-class educational opportunities and premier events.

      Membership Tiers
      • Professional
      • Student
      • Global
      • Executive
      • Enterprise
      Membership Benefits
  • Learning
    back
    Learning
    • SHRM Certification

      Demonstrate your ability to apply HR principles to real-life situations.

      • Choosing Your Certification
      • SHRM-CP
      • SHRM-SCP
      • How to Get Certified
      • Prepare for the Exam
      • Recertification
      Educational Programs

      Designed and delivered by HR experts to empower you with the knowledge and tools you need to drive lasting change in the workplace.

      • Essentials of HR
      • eLearning
      Specialty Credentials

      Demonstrate targeted competence and enhance your HR credibility.

      Qualifications

      Gain a deeper understanding and develop critical skills.

      Seminars

      Stand out from among your HR peers with the skills obtained from a SHRM Seminar.

  • Events
    back
    Events
    • Events

      Demonstrate your ability to apply HR principles to real-life situations.

      • SHRM26 Annual Conference
      • BLUEPRINT 2025
      • Talent Conference & Expo
      • Linkage Institute
      • The AI+HI Project 2026
      State Conferences

      Attend a SHRM state event to network with other HR professionals and learn more about the future of work.

      Seminars

      Stand out from among your HR peers with the skills obtained from a SHRM Seminar.

      Webinars
  • Resources
    back
    Resources
    • Resources

      Stay up to date with news and leverage our vast library of resources.

      • Flagships
      • HR Research
      • Legal & Compliance
      • Latest News & Trends
      • Tools & Guides
      • Webinars
      HR Topics
      • AI in the Workplace
      • Civility at Work
      • Compensation & Benefits
      • Inclusion & Diversity
      • Talent Acquisition
      • HR Technology
      • Workplace Violence Prevention
      Educational Programs

      Designed and delivered by HR experts to empower you with the knowledge and tools you need to drive lasting change in the workplace.

  • Community
    back
    Community
    • Find a SHRM Chapter

      Easily find a local professional or student chapter in your area.

      • SHRM Northern California
      SHRM Connect

      Post polls, get crowdsourced answers to your questions and network with other HR professionals online.

      Membership Councils

      Learn about SHRM's five regional councils and the Membership Advisory Council (MAC).

      Volunteers

      Learn about volunteer opportunities with SHRM.

  • Shop
    back
    Shop
    • SHRM Store

      Shop for HR certifications, credentials, learning, events, merchandise and more.

      Workplace Essentials
      • SHRM Memberships
      • SHRM Certification
      • Specialty Credentials
      • HR Tools & Tech
      Education
      • Seminars
      • eLearning
      • Books
      Merchandise
      • Accessories
      • Apparel
      • Office & Home
Become a Member
Renew
Rejoin Now
Renew
Book a Speaker
    • Global
    • India
    • MENA
SHRM
mySHRM Login
  • MySHRM
    • Dashboard
    • Account
    • Logout
Close

  1. Topics & Tools
  2. Workplace News & Trends
  3. Managing Smart
  4. Has the Pandemic Improved Trust in the Workplace?
Share
  • Linked In
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus convallis sem tellus, vitae egestas felis vestibule ut.


Error message details.

Copy button
Reuse Permissions

Request permission to republish or redistribute SHRM content and materials.


Learn More
News

Has the Pandemic Improved Trust in the Workplace?

April 13, 2022 | Stephanie Vozza

The word trust spelled out in wooden blocks on a wooden table.


​The pandemic brought a multitude of challenges to leaders and their employees, but there has been an upside.

According to a study by PwC, 84 percent of employees report trusting their direct manager the same, or more, now compared with before the COVID-19 pandemic.

In fact, the pandemic may have helped level the playing field between managers and their workers, said Nicole Morris, executive consultant for the Vaya Group, a global leadership consultancy headquartered in Warrenville, Ill.

"We all found ourselves in the same situation, trying to navigate this new remote way of working," she said. "Work has become humanized in a way that is different and very much authentic. It has challenged us to reconsider the employer and employee contract in a way that many of us didn't know was possible."

Increasing Empathy and Trust

The pandemic increased empathy, said Paaras Parker, chief human resources officer for Cincinnati-based Paycor, which provides human capital management services. "A couple of years ago, even if you had a flexible work-from-home schedule, there was little patience with daily interruptions such as barking dogs or kids having a meltdown on a Zoom call," she said. "Flash-forward to today, and we all got forced into a pandemic causing unwanted lifestyle changes, which in turn caused our natural empathy to kick in, and [that] has stayed continuous since. Trust doesn't build overnight; it's our day-in and day-out relations to people, sharing our vulnerability and reacting well to other people's circumstances."

Trust and security are connected, Parker said. "If your manager has seen your home, then they've seen your roommates, spouse, kids, dogs and various disruptions in your day," she said. "If they respond well to those instances, then an employee will feel more comfortable in that relationship. That feeling of security will lead to more open and honest dialogue about goals, expectations and how they are feeling not only in work but also outside of work."

Managers also became more transparent, said Amanda Chaitnarine, director of advisory services at HR analyst firm McLean and Company, based in London, Ontario.

"We saw the increase in trust because of managers effectively informing their employees about the constant change in state," she said. "This meant being transparent, sharing next steps, and explaining the impact on their team. We saw more rationales behind decisions being [made] and a higher frequency of communication."

In addition, managers were seeking more feedback from their teams and including them in decisions. For example, many companies implemented pulse surveys to find out what support employees needed, such as equipment, more social interaction or mental health services.

"Beyond ensuring employees had what they needed to work, employees were asked about their readiness and comfort in returning to the workplace," Chaitnarine said. "This ultimately shaped decisions about when and how people would return to work, as well as policies supporting flexible and remote-work arrangements. These actions demonstrated that employee health and well-being were a priority."

Support generated greater autonomy, which also translated into greater trust. "Research is clear that employees are more productive and engaged when they are given the autonomy to work how and when they want to," Vaya Group's Morris said. "In many ways, the pandemic has forced employers to give this autonomy to workers."

Keeping Trust Levels High

As teams start to find their feet and create new ways of working, managers should continue behaviors that foster trust, Morris recommended.

For example, when managers share appropriate personal stories, this can encourage employees to share their own individual experiences without worrying about being judged, she said. This helps managers get to know employees on a deeper level.

Ask workers what behaviors will make them feel valued. "Be intentional in creating relationships and understand what matters to the person, not just the broader team," she said.

Pay attention to outcomes, not hours worked, and let employees know that they'll be measured by what they achieve.

Morris cautioned against returning to pre-pandemic ways of working. "In 2022 ... workers will have elevated expectations of their workplace preferences, particularly [if] they have been meeting or exceeding goals over the last several years."

The pandemic has taught us all a lot about employee/manager relationships, Chaitnarine said. "But at the end of the day, the ability to maintain these higher levels of trust in a post-pandemic world means continuing to inform, interact and involve employees in a meaningful way."

Stephanie Vozza is a freelance writer based in Franklin, Tenn.

Culture
Employee Experience
Leadership & Manager Development
Learning & Development


Artificial Intelligence in the Workplace

​An organization run by AI is not a futuristic concept. Such technology is already a part of many workplaces and will continue to shape the labor market and HR. Here's how employers and employees can successfully manage generative AI and other AI-powered systems.



Related Content

(opens in a new tab)
News
How One Company Uses Digital Tools to Boost Employee Well-Being

Learn how Marsh McLennan successfully boosts staff well-being with digital tools, improving productivity and work satisfaction for more than 20,000 employees.

(opens in a new tab)
News
A 4-Day Workweek? AI-Fueled Efficiencies Could Make It Happen

The proliferation of artificial intelligence in the workplace, and the ensuing expected increase in productivity and efficiency, could help usher in the four-day workweek, some experts predict.

(opens in a new tab)
News
Rising Demand for Workforce AI Skills Leads to Calls for Upskilling

As artificial intelligence technology continues to develop, the demand for workers with the ability to work alongside and manage AI systems will increase. This means that workers who are not able to adapt and learn these new skills will be left behind in the job market.

HR Daily Newsletter

Stay up to date with the latest HR news, trends, and expert advice each business day.

Success title

Success caption

Manage Subscriptions
Our Brands

SHRM Foundation Logo
SHRM Executive Network Logo
CEO Circle Logo
SHRM Business Logo
SHRM Linkage Logo
SHRM Labs
Overview

  • About SHRM
  • Careers at SHRM
  • Press Room
  • Contact SHRM
  • Book a SHRM Executive Speaker
  • Advertise with Us
  • Post a Job
Advocacy

  • SHRM Advocacy
  • Workforce Development
  • Workplace Inclusion
  • Workplace Flexibility & Leave
  • Workplace Governance
  • Workplace Health Care
  • Workplace Immigration
  • State Affairs
  • Global Policy
  • Advocacy Team
  • Take Action
  • SHRM E2 Initiative
  • Generation Cares
  • The Section 127 Coalition
Member Resources

  • Ask An Advisor
  • SHRM Newsletters
  • SHRM Flagships
  • Topics & Tools
  • Find an HR Job
  • Vendor Directory

© 2025 SHRM. All Rights Reserved
SHRM provides content as a service to its readers and members. It does not offer legal advice, and cannot guarantee the accuracy or suitability of its content for a particular purpose. Disclaimer

Follow Us

  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

  1. Privacy Policy

  2. Terms of Use

  3. Accessibility

Join SHRM for Exclusive Access to Member Content

SHRM Members enjoy unlimited access to articles and exclusive member resources.

Already a member?
Free Article
Limit Reached

Get unlimited access to articles and member-exclusive resources.

You've reached the limit of 1 free article this month. Join to access unlimited articles and member-only resources.

Already a member?
Free Article
Exclusive Executive-Level Content

This content is for the SHRM Executive Network and Executive Content Subscription members only.

You've reached the limit of 1 free article this month. Join the Executive Network and enjoy unlimited content.

Already a member?
Free Article
Exclusive Executive-Level Content

This content is for the SHRM Executive Network and Executive Content Subscription members only.

You've reached the limit of 1 free article this month. Join and enjoy unlimited access to SHRM Executive Network Content.

Already a member?
Unlock Your Career with SHRM Membership

Please enjoy this free resource! Join SHRM for unlimited access to exclusive articles and tools.

Already a member?

Your membership is almost expired! Renew today for unlimited access to member content.

Renew now

Your membership has expired. Renew today for unlimited access to member content.

Renew Now

Your Executive Network membership is nearing its expiration. Renew now to maintain access.

Renew Now

Your membership has expired. Renew your Executive Network benefits today.

Renew Now