Trusted Sources: How Some US Employers Used Government Information During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic.

OBJECTIVE

Assess employers' use of information from government sources during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

METHODS

Virtual interviews with employers from 28 US companies in 9 National Occupational Research Agenda sectors. Transcribed interviews were thematically coded and analyzed using MaxQDA24.

RESULTS

All but 3 companies relied on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as their primary source for policy decisions and workforce communications, supplementing this with information from state and local health agencies, OSHA, trade and professional associations. Half of the respondents asked additional experts to interpret guidance for their industry, and all but a few modified available materials to share with their workforce. National Occupational Research Agenda sectors were not effective for audience segmentation. Perception of worksite transmission was loosely aligned with preference for and confidence in information sources.

CONCLUSION

Employers want industry-tailored information during a public health emergency; providing that remains a challenge.