With national data showing clear racial disparities in coronavirus cases, students of color are more hesitant to work in an office before an effective vaccine is made available.
A new survey of 2,000 undergraduates finds that more than half (56%) say they would be at least somewhat comfortable returning to work in an office before a coronavirus vaccine is available. But there are stark gaps across lines of race. White students (62%) are more likely than Asian (40%), Black (42%), and Hispanic (58%) students to say so.
Almost 4 in 10 (38%) students say they are less likely to apply for a job that requires employees to return to the office before a coronavirus vaccine is available, compared to 47% who say it makes no difference to them. Black (52%) and Asian students (48%) are more likely than white (35%) and Hispanic students (35%) to say this requirement would make them less likely to apply for a job.
Black Students Are Less Likely to Apply for Jobs That Require Going Into the Office Before a Vaccine
Are you more likely or less likely to apply for a job at a company that requires employees to return to the office before a coronavirus vaccine is available?
Meanwhile, half (52%) of students overall are more likely to apply for a job at a company that allows employees to work remotely permanently. One-third (33%) of students say it makes no difference, and 11% say they are less likely to apply. While roughly 6 in 10 Black (64%), Asian (62%), and Hispanic students (58%) say they are more likely to apply for a fully remote job, fewer white students (47%) say the same.
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Methodology: This survey was designed and conducted by College Pulse. Interviews were conducted among a sample of 2,000 full-time and part-time students attending four-year colleges or universities in the U.S. who are part of College Pulse’s American College Student Panel.
